Why does nobody talk about how to stop bubbles in water-based top coats?

I was putting a water-based clear coat on a chair and it got full of tiny bubbles. It made the surface look rough and I was really annoyed. A friend told me to add a drop of dish soap to the mix before applying. This cuts the surface tension and stops most bubbles from forming. Now I do this for all my water-based jobs and it works great.

3 comments

3 Comments

charlieo291mo ago

Remember reading mineral spirits do the same for oil stuff.

iriscoleman1mo ago

Figured out paint thinner works on rusty garden tools last summer. Made my old shears look almost new. What's the weirdest thing you've cleaned with that stuff?

annas331mo ago

Always amazes me how many things pull double duty.