Polycrylic is one of the best protective wood coatings, offering a good sheen, but can you make it slippery? In this article, we’ll learn the basics of how to make polycrylic slippery from our woodworking experts. Let’s start!
Is Polycrylic Naturally Slippery?
Polycrylic is naturally slippery when the coats are thin and completely dry. It only requires applying at least five to a maximum of 10 coats. Also, the wood will not change color once you use it because polycrylic offers a clear water-based coat, unlike polyurethane.
Polyurethane makes your wood discolored upon aging and is a bit expensive compared to polycrylic. You can purchase polycrylic at a reasonable price, depending on the variety of finishes you want to achieve.
Polycrylic is slippery, given the coats have no residues, blotches, streaks, or bubbles. Therefore, ensure a proper application of polycrylic to achieve the smoothness of your cornhole boards.
Why is Polycrylic Sticky Instead of Slippery?
You may encounter a sticky finish because polycrylic has a runny consistency making the application challenging to your cornhole boards. Aside from considering the best finish for cornhole boards, you must avoid using a roller to apply polycrylic because it’s a contributing factor to the sticky finish.
Here are the following reasons why polycrylic becomes tacky instead of slippery.
- Using roller in polycrylic application leads to thick coats, making a splotchy and tacky appearance.
- The excessive shaking of spray paint can form bubbles during your application which causes uneven texture.
- Skipping to sand between each layer makes less adhesion for new coats.
- No proper wood preparation retains dust, dirt, debris, and raised grain on the surface.
- Applying a new coat over the previous layer without drying and curing it can make your finish sticky.
- Refrain from painting too quickly, as it will result in the formation of bubbles.
Making Your Polycrylic Slippery: Tools & Steps
Things You'll Need
- Polycrylic Coat
- Foam brush
- Bristle brush
- Sandpaper (320 grit)
- Abrasive pads
- Clean, lint-free rags
- Gloves
- Mixing cup
Step #1: Sand the Surface
Before applying polycrylic to your cornhole boards, sand the surface using 320-grit sandpaper. This will remove the debris, dirt, dust, and raised grain on the surface.
Also, sanding prepares the surface of the cornhole boards to have more adhesion for polycrylic. However, if the surface is wet, let the wood dry completely. Sanding wet woods form a messy surface and could clog the sandpaper.
Step #2: Tidy Up the Surface
Once you remove the impurities on the surface, you must tidy up the surface.
A clean cornhole board will have a slippery surface, given that no dust, debris, hair, or raised grain on the board will be sealed in. Removing impurities in the finish will be a pain, and you will get a splotchy and tacky surface.
Step #3: Apply Polycrylic
After cleaning the surface, prepare your wipe-on polycrylic and apply it properly by following any instructions on the container.
A wipe-on polycrylic is ideal for your cornhole boards because it quickly dries, so you won’t be bothered about the dust settling on the surface. And it may be a bit more expensive than a brush-on polycrylic, but a wipe-on offers a more slippery finish for your cornhole boards.
To begin your wipe-on polycrylic application, lay the cornhole board flat and wear your plastic gloves to keep a tidy workspace.
You should start by mixing the polycrylic paint using a stick or stirrer, particularly the bottom part of the container. Then get your plastic cup and pour the polycrylic. The cup should be large enough for your foam brush or clean, lint-free rag to dip in.
Apply a thin layer of polycrylic using a brush or rags, and use a form brush for corners on your board. Thin layers dry quickly, preventing tacky and blotchy results.
You must wipe on the board along the direction of the wood grain to ensure no bubbles are formed while applying the polycrylic. If appropriately used, the drying time will take two to three hours, and the curing time is at least 24 hours.
Step #4: Sand the Surface
Sand the surface lightly after each coat but ensure the layer is completely dry before sanding. You can use 320 or 220-grit sandpaper to smoothen each layer and improve the adhesion between layers. After you sand, remove the dust before applying the next coat.
Step #5: Apply More Coats
You can apply three to five coats or a maximum of ten coats, given the surface is not slippery enough for your cornhole board. You can use the board without needing additional coats.
Once the additional coats dry, scrape the surface using fine-grit sandpaper or abrasive pads. Then let the polycrylic finish cure for at least 24 hours. This will give all the layers plenty of time to adhere.
Alternative Methods to Consider
In using cornhole boards, slipperiness is an essential property, so if you toss your bean bag, it should slide down without disruptions. Otherwise, your board needs fixing.
So, here are the best methods to make your board slippery in addition to applying polycrylic:
Applying Cornstarch
First is to apply cornstarch to your cornhole boards. Cornstarch has natural properties that remove the stickiness of the surface.
Although most bean bags are filled with kernel corn, they produce corn powder whenever you toss them while playing. The powder from the bean bags is released automatically.
It makes the board slippery as the tiny particles scatter, reducing friction between the bags and the board. Thus, sliding bean bags is easier.
You can also apply cornstarch directly to your cornhole board but prevent inhaling the powder as it causes breathing problems.
Applying Olive Oil
Olive oil offers an excellent organic solution to improve the slipperiness of your board. However, you must apply olive oil [1] over a treated board. Otherwise, the wood will absorb the oil resulting in a tacky surface.
So apply the olive oil once the surface is fully dried and cured. Then, pour olive oil into a clean rag and spread it evenly on the surface. Too much olive oil can make the surface tacky.
You must observe the cornhole board to see if the oil is adequate to fix the slipperiness of the surface.
The Best Finishes to Use on Cornhole Boards
Depending on your desired color and designs, you can use different finishes on cornhole boards. Here are the best finishes to use on cornhole boards.
- Polyurethane finish (Water- or oil-based)
- Semi-gloss enamel finish
- Gloss finish
- Polycrylic finish
- Semi-gloss latex finish
- Latex finish
- Varnish
How to Make Bean Bag Boards Not So Slippery?
To lessen the slipperiness of your bean bag on cornhole boards, here are the effective ways you must follow before playing.
- You can use sandpaper to rough the board until you create a more textured surface. This will keep the bean bag from constantly slipping. If sandpaper is not available, you can use a wire brush instead.
- You can place a rag, carpet, or towel under your board to give your bean bag a grip and prevent accidents near cornhole boards.
- For a permanent solution, use tape or adhesive strips. A strip of tape on the surface of the cornhole board creates a grip so it will prevent your bean bags from constantly slipping.
- You can apply a grip spray on the board’s surface to create a more textured surface. Before spraying a grip solution, clean the surface using rubbing alcohol. Repeat the application until the surface has texture and your bean bag won’t slip continuously.
Mixing water and cornstarch to form a paste, you can make your grip spray. Let it dry before applying it to the bottom of your board. After playing the game, remove the paste using water and dry it properly.
- A non-slip pad will make your bean bags less slippery, making your game more enjoyable. You should clean the surface of your cornhole board with a damp cloth, then apply it to the bottom of each board. The pads should be attached firmly and provide stability to keep your bean bags in place during the game.
What Finish Should be Used On ACL Boards?
You can use a water-based finish for American Cornhole League (ACL) boards. It is a clear coat offering a smooth texture.
ACL boards are commonly made of Birch plywood. Pro boards come with 3/4 inches, and each side is finished like glass, while comp boards are made of 5/8 inches. Other than birchwood, oak wood is also ideal for ACL boards.
How To Finish Your Bag Board
Here are the steps to finish your ACL bag board and start playing around.
Step #1: Clean the surface of your bag board by removing debris and dust.
Step #2: After you remove the residues on the surface, sand the board to create texture so the finishing coat adheres completely.
Step #3: Apply a thin layer of polyurethane finish and wipe along the direction of the wood grain.
Step #4: Once you apply the finish, let it dry and cure for at least 24 hours.
Step #5: Lightly sand the surface if the initial coat is fully dried and cured.
Step #6: Apply at least five to ten coats of polyurethane to achieve the slippery texture of your ACL bag board.
Step #7: Ensure your board is dry and entirely cured.
FAQ
How do you make polycrylic smooth?
You can make polycrylic smooth by sanding between layers to give a texture for each coat to adhere. You can also sand the surface gently using 400-grit sandpaper to make it smooth. You can apply olive oil and cornstarch to give your board the perfect slippery texture.
Conclusion
A polycrylic finish makes your cornhole boards suitable for playing around. Now, after learning how to make polycrylic slippery, you can make your game more enjoyable. The bean bags slip as they should, giving you a competitive score.
You can make the board slippery using simple methods like olive oil, cornstarch, and sanding between polycrylic coats. Most importantly, you can fix your cornhole boards like a professional.
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