If you’ve taken the time to build your own cornhole board, you’re going to want to make sure it lasts all summer long.
To do so, you’ll need to give it a finish, ideally with polyurethane.
Cornhole is an American summer essential, whether you play competitively or not!
Breaking out the cornhole board is a fun way to take a break from the grill or while away an afternoon.
It really brings the family together.
However, an unfinished board won’t last the summer.
To start with, you need to give it a finish to achieve the smooth surface necessary to play the game.
Additionally, an unfinished cornhole board stands no chance against the elements, whether it be the sun’s UV rays or a summer shower.
Wondering how to finish cornhole boards? We’ll teach you how:
The Best Finish for Cornhole Boards
The first step of finishing a cornhole board is deciding which finish to use.
You can either use polyurethane, which is an oil-based finish (but is also available as a water-based finish), or polycrylic, which is a water-based finish.
It’s important to use either polycrylic or polyurethane as they provide a board with all the protection it needs.
Both finishes ensure that your cornhole board will not fall apart due to continued use.
Plus, both finishes can maintain the board’s smoothness in the long term.
This allows the cornhole bags to slide better on the board. Your local home goods store will supply a range of different finishes.
You should choose your finish based on how you want your cornhole board to look.
Polycrylic finish
You should use polycrylic if you’d like to give your cornhole board a more creative finish.
If you’d like to give the surface of your board creative flair using paint – for example, if you’d like to paint the board in the colors of your favorite sports team – polycrylic can effectively protect paint jobs.
Alternatively, polycrylic spray can also protect decals.
Polycrylic is water-based, so will dry quickly. Once dry, it’ll leave a glossy finish.
Polyurethane finish
You can either get a water-based polyurethane or an oil-based polyurethane.
The latter will give your board a yellow tint, while a water-based polyurethane will give the board a clear coat.
If you really want to show off the wood grain, then use a water-based polyurethane.
Essential Tools for Finishing Cornhole Boards
In addition to a good quality finish, in order to finish your board you’ll also need the following tools:
- A foam brush or paintbrush (a synthetic bristle brush works well)
- Fine sandpaper (Ideally several different grades in the range of 100 – 320-grit)
- Tarp
- Stirred primer (If you’re planning on painting the board during the finishing process)
- Painter’s tape (again, if you’re planning to paint the board)
Finishing Your Cornhole Boards: A Step-By-Step Guide
Once you have chosen the finish based on how you want your board to look, you can start applying the finish.
It is worth noting that if you have store-bought your board printed, then you won’t have to apply a finish to it.
It will already have a coat on to safeguard it from the elements.
However, if you have built your board yourself, you’ll definitely need to finish it.
To help you through the finishing process, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to finish a cornhole board:
Step 1: Prepare your workshop
Finishing a board can be messy, so pick where you carry out the project wisely.
A workshop or garage are your best options.
It’s important to work in a room with good ventilation.
Breathing in lots of chemicals, without proper ventilation, can obviously be bad for you.
You should also try to choose a room that is dust-free and features still air.
While adding the finish to your board, you don’t want dust or any other form of debris falling onto it.
No matter what finish you use, if it drips on the floor it will most likely leave a stain.
For this reason, we’d recommend placing a tarp around the area you choose to work in.
Step 2: Initial sanding
To start with, you should gently sand your board using at least 100-grit sandpaper.
This will smooth out any initial imperfections in the wood but likely leave several marks.
To take care of the sandpaper marks created, gradually increase your sandpaper grade (building up to roughly 320-grit).
It’s not necessary, but some recommend that you add sanding sealer once you’ve completed sanding.
Step 3: Ensure the board is clean
Once you’re satisfied with the sanding, clean the surface to ensure it’s dust-free.
If you’re planning on adding any paint or decals, carry out this step now.
We’d recommend using stirred primer first when painting the board and sticking painter’s tape down to achieve a specific pattern.
For best results, it would also be worth giving the board two coats of paint.
Once satisfied with your paint job, be sure to leave it to dry before continuing.
Step 4: Spray on your finish
Before spraying your finish on the board, avoid shaking the can.
Unlike spray paint, the finish does not need to be shaken.
Shaking the can will only cause bubbles to appear on the board.
If you’re not using a spray can, apply polyurethane or polycrylic using a foam or a paintbrush.
Do not use a rolling brush as, again, this causes air bubbles to appear on finished cornhole boards.
Overall, apply the finish as carefully as possible.
For best results, try applying poly with vertical strokes.
Step 5: Keep applying polyurethane/polycrylic
Apply somewhere between five to ten coats in total.
There is no set rule as to how many coats are required – as many as you think will suffice, as long as it does not exceed 10 coats.
Ensure that each coat you apply is dry before applying another coat.
After each clear coat is applied, it’s also important to lightly sand before applying another.
After you’ve applied the last coat, give the board a final sanding.
Each coat should take less than two hours to dry.
Step 6: Allow the board to cure
Once you’ve completed the final coat, allow it to cure. Whether you use semi-gloss poly or oil-based polyurethane, the board will need at least 24 hours.
After this time, you’ll be able to start throwing some bean bags at the smooth finish.
Keep an eye on your finish over time, and apply an additional clear coat or two if it starts to wear out.
Final Thoughts
Unfinished cornhole boards don’t last very long. Not only do they wear out due to the elements, but they also aren’t very fun to play on.
Finished cornhole boards offer a much smoother playing surface, and are sure to outlast the hot summer weather.
While you may have to add an additional clear coat here and there, keeping your board finished and in good condition will ensure its longevity.