[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?

 

[user1007]

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