I'm brand new here. This forum was recommended by a friend. I'm an avid DI Y-er but finishes are not my specialty.
The problem: I built a steam radiator cover (out of red oak) for my 8mth old son's room (turned out great). The minwax oil based fast drying semigloss polyurethan e has not dried properly and is giving off a smell as the radiator heats up . I'm concerned about safety (fumes) so I have removed the cover until I c an fix the problem.
The finishing process: We live in a small 2 bed APT in NYC, so I have less than ideal circumstance s for woodworking.
For the first coat I applied the polyurethane directly to the (sanded/wiped clean) surface of the wood. *it it possible that the can was not stirred well enough. * the first coat was possibly thick but had no runs. I sat out side my apt in the sun waiting for the finish to off-gas. After an hour I brought it inside to cure.
After 4 hours the finish seemed cured (the can recommends 3-4hrs). I sande d with 220 and wiped clean with a slightly damp cloth.
For the second coat (around 9pm) I had to change location, so I applied the finish standing inside our apt with the project sitting outside on the fir e escape (on a cardboard box to catch drips). It was cold - about 50 degree s. I left it out there to off-gas for an hour, then brought it inside to cu te overnight. *Again the can was possibly not stirred well enough.
The next day everything seemed fine other than a slight oily film (like the project had the tiniest film of cooking oil over it). I figured it would h arden with heat and time, so I attached the aluminum mesh and installed it. .. And now we have the problem.
Thoughts, guys? I'd love to avoid sanding this whole thing back to bare wo od (as it will be by hand on my kitchen floor).