Advice for working with polyurethane?

How to remove the cloudiness from Wiki Answers: “Try using a small amount of Rubbing Alcohol. Brush or dab a small amount over the white marks, this may help release the moisture by softening the finish. Always do a test area first.
If the product has cured and will not release the moisture try acetone or nail polish remover in very small amounts to affected area only.
If these don’t work get out the Furniture Stripper and start again.
Try and avoid polyurethane!
Try this product or something similar: Varathane Diamond Interior Finish, Water-Based”

I recommend plain white glue diluted with water as a decoupage medium…cheaper and always dries clear. After your project is dry, apply the same solution over the entire surface. If more durability is needed, spray with a sealer – matte or gloss depending on your preference.

Water based poly almost always will have a bit of “milky white” in the finish. It’s the way it is made in order to be water based. I’ve used it in both small projects and on painted floors… it’s just the nature of it.

Depending on the size of your project, I would second the recommendation of white glue diluted.

If you are looking for something a little more solid and flexible for a crafting medium, I’ve used Mod Podge, both in and out of the classroom. It is an excellent medium for using over paper, fabric, cardboard, and anything in that realm. Stick with the basic Mod Podge as the “other flavors” are really nothing fancy that you couldn’t do yourself.

If you’ve got some time, you can get large containers of Mod Podge from internet sites like Blick Art much cheaper than the tiny containers you can purchase at the Craft store.

Good luck with your project!!

Oooh, I forgot about Mod Podge…it’s great stuff. I stopped using it long ago, because it was too expensive in the small containers (back in the bad old days before internet shopping!)