Sealing tabletop

divadee

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum, and it looks like a great, active group here. I will be moving to a new place this weekend (starting over with not much money to spend). Found a used dinette set with chairs in really good shape, but the tabletop was pretty rough. It's off-white melamine. I've primed with two coats of oil-based stain-covering primer, then did two coats of low-VOC paint (all purchased from our local re-use center because it was the cheapest place in town). I used a new 1/4" roller for the paint, but it's so thick that I have a raised texture (actually would like it if I was painting walls, but not for a table, LOL). I know I'll sand it down before sealing, but it makes me worried about the sealer coat. I plan on using water-based poly, but how should I apply it? I'm painting outside, with low humidity and temps in the upper 70s-low 80s. Paint dries pretty fast. I don't have a sprayer, and need to spend as little as possible. Thanks in advance!

ETA: This may sound weird, but would it help if I could pour the poly on, and use brushes/sponges as little as possible?

sdsester

First remember that latex products take 30 days to cure even though they dry to the touch much more quickly. Do not race putting on a sealer coat or you could end up with a mess.

Now, you are planning a clear sealer? I would use something like a 3/8 to 1/2 roller. 1/4 is too thin.

jarheadoo7

use a foam roller.. i use them on railings they yeild great near - flat results with a good leveling paint.. dunno about a sealer thou.. test it out.. they are cheap