What the process actually involves
- PreparationSurface sanded, dents filled, grain filled on open-grain timbers. Half of a PU job's quality is decided here.
- Primer coatsTwo to three sprayed primer coats, each sanded back. This is what makes the final surface flat.
- Colour or clear coatsTwo to three finish coats sprayed in a dust-controlled booth or a sealed, sheeted area on site.
- Cure48–72 hours before handling, seven days before full hardness. Humid Mumbai weeks stretch this.
Rates and what changes them
| Finish | Rate per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear matt over veneer | ₹180–260 | The standard for veneered joinery |
| Pigmented matt | ₹220–320 | Any RAL or NCS colour, seamless |
| Satin / semi-gloss | ₹240–360 | Slight sheen, hides marks better than gloss |
| High gloss, buffed | ₹320–450 | Mirror finish; needs the best substrate |
| On-site re-polish, existing | ₹140–240 | Sanding back and recoating old joinery |
One practical safeguard: ask for a sprayed sample panel in the actual colour and sheen before the whole job is coated. Sheen level in particular is hard to judge from a chart — a 20% matt and a 35% satin look similar on paper and completely different across a 7 ft wardrobe front.
PU, Duco, melamine
Duco is the Indian trade name for a nitrocellulose lacquer sprayed in the same way. It looks similar on day one, costs ₹140–220 per sq ft, and is softer — it yellows and scuffs faster, particularly in sunlight. Melamine is a cheap brush or spray sealer at ₹45–80 per sq ft that protects but does not build a film. Ranked by durability and by price: PU, then Duco, then melamine.
PU's real advantage is repairability. A scratched PU panel can be sanded locally, re-sprayed and blended; a damaged laminate or acrylic shutter has to be replaced. Its disadvantage is site conditions — spraying in an occupied Mumbai flat during the monsoon produces dust nibs and slow cure, which is why we spray off site wherever the joinery can be made in panels. See wardrobe design and the finish guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does PU polish last?+
Eight to twelve years indoors before it looks tired, longer on vertical surfaces that are not touched. Direct sunlight shortens it; a south-facing shutter behind glass will dull years before an internal one.
Can PU polish be done on site?+
Yes, and often it has to be for fixed panelling. It needs the area sheeted, ventilation controlled and the flat empty of soft furnishings for two to three days. Factory spraying gives a visibly better result where the piece can be transported.
Is PU polish waterproof?+
It is water-resistant, not waterproof. The film sheds splashes but standing water at an unsealed edge will still reach the substrate. Edges, cut-outs and the underside of a countertop-facing panel must be sealed too.
Why is high-gloss PU so much more expensive?+
Because gloss shows every flaw beneath it. The substrate has to be near perfect, the coats more numerous, and the last stage is machine buffing. The paint is not the cost; the preparation and the rejection rate are.