[born_in_a_barn]

Thanks to those who have given me input thus far as I build my HT and DIY Screen.


I'm at the point now where I'm ready to lay a topcoat of polyurethane on my painted screen. My main goal here is to protect the surface. (I have a 5yo and 7yo, and chances are the screen will eventually get hit by a flying toy or worse.)Two questions:

Should I leave the screen hanging to apply it, or should I lay it down on some sawhorses so it is facing up?

Since the poly is self-leveling, it seems that the leveling will work better if it is laying down. I'm wondering what others have done.

Should I apply with a roller or a brush?

Like most polyurethanes, the can says to use a brush, but since this isn't the typical application, I'm wondering if I should use a roller. Also wondering if it makes a difference one way or the other since the levelling compounds should smooth it out anyway. (I am assummng the warning against rolling is to prevent air bubbles.)


I'm using Aqua ZAR in the Antique Flat finish. It was recommended by my paint guy, who has never steered me wrong. The can states that it 'dries crystal clear' and is 'non-yellowing'. It looks to be the equivalent of the Valspar and Pratt & Lambert polys suggested in the sticky DIY thread.
Aqua ZAR data sheet


FWIW - Behr Poly #780 isn't available at my Home Depot, isn't listed on HomeDepot.com (or on Behr.com). Is it possible that it has been discontinued?

 

[MississippiMan]

Dear B.I.A.B.


Oh my.


Few that I have ever seen post have related good news about applying enough Poly to effectively protect a surface from overt abuse.. Using a Satin created created hot spotting to the extreme, and using a Flat attenuated the reflective qualities of the screen surface.


The accepted way to make your paint be more durable, as well as effectively either maintain or increase Gain, has always been to add Satin Poly to a "Flat" mix. In SF mixes, the ratio of Poly can be as high as 1/3 rd the overall content (less water) and that much Poly in a paint makes it pretty resilient to abuse after it cures sufficiently.


The other alternative is to mix your Screen paint with the Poly of choice at a 25% to 75% Flat Paint/Satin Poly ratio, and......................,


Spray it for goodness sake!


Brushing it on is crazy....your Screen isn't a Decoupage project or a Cable Spool Table. Brushing and Rolling will both apply far more thickness than is needed or desirable.


There is another solution.....but I suppose there are laws about that sort of confinement.