Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane Clear, Satin, 1

Can I put a varnish over this even though a urethane was on it before? Would like to refinish the old stall fronts and seal the wood on the new stalls. And, at those points in time, the water based poly looks way worse than the oil based – in fact, it’s usually peeling off and the hardwood is starting to look gray.

But keep in mind that water-based finishes are not the most durable for outdoor use. But if you want a finish that won’t yellow, there aren’t many other options out there. Generally speaking, phenolic resins are best-suited for outdoor use. But that doesn’t mean every spar varnish is made with phenolic resins.

Gloss, Semi

The main disadvantage of this particular type of coating is that paint won’t be as durable as oil-based polyurethane. At the same time, colors won’t match with the wood in all times. I have many customers who are in a rush to move into their new home, but I always recommend that it’s worth delaying move in by a few days and get their floors done right. If they don’t, they will spend more time and money paying for this later. For customers already living in their home, I recommend that they do this while they will be away for a while.

Aerosol sprays require good technique to avoid drips, and extra prep time to protect surfaces from overspray. Their thin films aren’t as tough as the ones you brush on. Brush-on polys work best on flat surfaces where it’s important to build up a durable film. Brushes hold a lot of finish, so you can cover a wide area each time you load them up.

Thread: Varathane Vs Deft

Assuming there is no wax on the surface, you can simply sand the surface lightly with 220 grit paper and then wipe away the dust with a clean rag soaked in mineral spirits. The marine varnish I recommend is the one I mentioned in this article. For folks who are fairly new to finishing and want precise control over the final thickness of finish, I recommend diluting by 50% with mineral spirits and wiping.

In applying polyurethane, one must consider the stroke, direction, and style of application. Wrong or improper application of polyurethane minwax vs varathane spar urethane may cause bubbles or brush strokes. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In order to protect your wooden vessel or accessories from the damaging effects of water, it can often be necessary to apply some sort of coating to act as a barrier. That’s where spar marine varnish and spar urethane could be useful. So it is best used when you don’t want a yellowish colored layer over your furniture and more so over light colored paint. The oil-based type is thicker but requires fewer coats than the water-based type. It is made by mixing many different chemicals, many of which are unfriendly to the environment due to the emissions they create. These chemicals will darken over time so the color of the wood finish will alter slightly.

However, this varnish doesn’t withstand heat and chemicals. It is great for furniture, but it’s not recommended to apply it near sources of heat, such as a radiator or fireplace. In its liquid form, polyurethane is used as a coating for a variety of products. Polyurethane is another broad term that comprises a variety of products. In fact, polyurethane is a plastic material that exists in a variety of forms, from liquid to solid. On the downside, the product starts to discolor over time, and it’s easy to scratch.

The resin contained in a varnish is also important in determining what type to use for your project. Some resins are more elastic than others, making them best suited for exterior uses. Alkyd and polyurethanes are better suited for interior use. Not as important, but still a factor is what type of oil is used.

For a good on-line source with prices better than most try All of these products are strong, but the oil-based polyurethane is the strongest. Oil-based poly is the one to use for projects that see a lot of wear and tear like floors and dining tables.

The one-part varnishes in our test slipped dramatically after a year and half, so we suggest an annual maintenance coat, whether they look like they need it or not. Four of the nine varnish alternatives have been voted off The Rack after two years, and none performed well enough to earn our recommendation for two-year wood protection. With the exception of a few two-part products, the test coatings had lost their sparkle at the two-year mark. The UV abuse had obviously taken its toll, sucking the life out of most of the coatings, particularly the clear finishes. The test was designed as an endurance test, a fight to the finish, so we have not done any maintenance coats or touch-ups to the test panels. These products can be expected to have much longer lifespans if they are regularly maintained.

I’m not sure which would be the best varnish for me to complete the project with. The table would be outdoors during the summer only so won’t be subjected to cold weather, just the usual mix of heat, sun and rain. Well if the piece will be stored inside and you don’t like the look of a thick film, I see no reason to go with a thick varnish product. Stick with the danish oil or perhaps even try Watco Teak Oil. Their teak oil product is formulated with UV inhibitors and is well-suited for outdoor applications. Either way, you can always add a more protective finish later if need be.

Exterior: Spar Urethane

If the furniture is already made accept it for what it is and don’t try to turn it into something it isn’t. This just doesn’t seem to be worth the time, effort, or irritation to me. When selecting a varnish, it is important to consider the application; specifically, where the finished item will be used.

I sanded it down to nice bare wood again and I want to recoat it. Now comes the important question… Would spar varnish be a good option for finishing my bamboo bike? I need something that can provide a hard yet flexible clear coat , that bonds to bamboo, carbon fibre, and resin epoxy (west system 105 resin & 205 hardener). I have a 1965 Starcraft boat with mahogany veneer on it. I believe the veneer was coated originally with polyurethane.

Minwax Vs Varathane: In

The other major distinction to look for in a varnish is the use that it is created for. Most varnish is created for indoor use, where the wood and the varnish on it are protected from weather and ultra-violet light. Spar varnish, sometimes referred to as marine varnish is created specifically for outdoor use. Since any wood left outdoors is much more susceptible to absorbing moisture and expanding, these varnishes have a higher ratio of oil to resin, making them more flexible.

Water-based polyurethanes will be the easiest to clean away as this can be done using warm water and soap. Using polyurethane is very important for your wooden surfaces and furniture, so you need to make sure that you are able to apply it well. Being able to apply polyurethane yourself will save you time and money instead of having to rely on a professional. This means that you will need to consider polyurethanes that are easy to use.

You can also opt for Minwax polyurethane or Minwax polycrylic to work on the finishing. Since UV protection is not an issue for interior surfaces Helmsman is overkill. Polycrylic and polyurethane can be used for many of the same projects.

• This polyurethane has an attractive glossy finish that offers protection from a range of damages, making it suitable for outdoor use.
• I haven’t needed to use any of my quality brushes, yet, but I have been going thru tons of rags!
• Polyurethane varnish is great for floors, and in industrial appliations, but overkill for most furniture applications.
• You can always give them a few extra coats of a marine varnish if you like.
• They also do not crack when dry hence stain can be applied on them.
• You don’t want to use a poly varnish for outdoor projects.
• We decided to take advantage of this bad situation and out up some wood beams on the vaulted ceilings.
• Water-based polyurethanes are thinner and therefore require more coats.
• It is hard enough to resist damage, yet flexible enough to resist weathering.

Source: homemakerguide.com