Okay, I'm going to be the one to say it: I think the whole 'let it cure for a full month' rule for oil-based poly is overkill for most pieces. Just finished a table that took 3 weeks to be ready for delivery because I followed that advice to the letter, and I'm pretty sure I could have moved it after 10 days.

3 comments

3 Comments

What about the difference between curing in a dry workshop versus a humid house? That extra time might be for the finish to fully harden under real conditions, not just dry to the touch. A table might feel ready in your shop but then get soft again in a warm, damp living room. The long cure is a safety net for that change. Rushing it could mean dents and prints show up a week after you deliver.

kevin3311mo ago

It's like how bread keeps baking inside after you take it out of the oven, you gotta let it settle into its final home.

avery_flores1mo agoTop Commenter

A week to get soft again is a scary thought.