clear spray paint sealer for wood

I told him I think it needs some kind of a topcoat as although the coverage looks really good I just dont care for the overall finish.

Others left a very faint ring but these two were definitely the most impermeable to water.

etc, etc

The biggest downside to polycrylic was the pretty obvious water ring left on the sample but it provided a very smooth finish. This will give your piece maximum hardness and durability. See the reviews and the current price here: Varathane Water-Based Spray Clear Coat for Wood.

The varathane clear coat will be just fine!

They are the same product.

Hey Lou, Thank you so much for catching that.

Click here for more reviews.

The best outdoor wood sealer is Varathanes Water-Based Spar Urethane (Exterior Sealant).

Any type of polyurethane can be used over chalk paint. While wood treatments like will also bring out the woods natural color, they dont provide any protection. This sounds excessive but our top three clear coats all have very fast dry times, which will cut down on the time to finish your project. If not enough wax is not properly buffed onto the surface, it can be easily penetrated with water and the surface will be ruined if a cold drink is left on the surface. Using painters tape, I made seven different sections on each of two pieces of wood. I am looking for a super inexpensive solution that looks nice and that I can do myself.

Donna, I am SO sorry to hear this. Chalk-painted furniture always has a soft matte look that is so popular in farmhouse decor. Hi Karen,

I need to redo a piece that has been waxed (or try to) and do a post on it.

I have a Pottery Barn stained dining table that through the years has been well used.

I want to use latex paint , glaze and top coat .

Karin, Your email address will not be published.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT PRICE & REVIEWS, Since writing this post, Varathanes Waterbased Polyurethane came in a satin sheen but not in a flat/matte finish.

Does the Topcoat resist moisture comparable to the polyurethane? We did not do a topcoat over the painted areas. That chalky, matte texture has more gripping ability than a few other paints.

To see my best furniture reveals click here: 15 Stunning Painted Furniture (Before and After Reveals), The Ultimate Guide to The Best Furniture Paint, 2022, A Better Alternative to Chalk Paint for Furniture (Get the Aged Look of Dark Wax Easily), How to Paint Furniture Legs Quickly & Easily, The Best Way to Stencil (Without Paint Bleed!

Both the General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat and Varathanes Water-based Polyurethane had absolutely no drinking glass rings.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Mod podge will degrade over time if it is in contact with water on a regular basis. Other times you might want to preserve the old finish which was the case on these end tables of my mother-in-laws. Good luck with your furniture painting project and Id love to answer any questions you have in the comment section below.

Our top three clear coats would all do well on painted furniture CLICK HERE TO COMPARE THE TOP THREE. Oil-based topcoats can have an ambering effect, which means that over time the clear coat can cause the surface of the furniture piece to yellow.

It has been stained for almost a year and I havent had any problems with scratches looking lighter.

Milk Paint Vs. Chalk Paint Vs. Latex: Whats the Best Type of Paint for Your Project? One reviewer said she used it as a clear coat on white-painted wood salad bowls and after ten years, there was no yellowing.

Each group consists of hundreds of professional furniture painters.

You might have heard of some products having low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). After three coats, the finish was still very clear and not hazy at all, even on the stained sample.

I am painting my 45 year old wood furniture white. Also, you dont want to worry about the color rubbing off on clothing. We have a chest that has been sanded and stained but we are unclear as to how we should finish it. Unlike latex-painted or stained projects, chalk-painted furniture needs a protective finish unless you know a drinking glass will never be set on it.

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I love that this sealer has almost no odor making it perfect to use indoors when refinishing furniture projects making it a great chalk paint clear coat (Click here for more reviews on the best sealer for chalk paint). But most of the time, youll want to be able to set a drink on a piece of furniture.

If you want to use an oil-based polyurethane, Varathanes had the best results by far click here for the current price.

Instead, protect it by applying the absolute best clear coat for painted wood furniture!

Great question!

Another product line worth mentioning is Behrs Transparent and Semi-Transparent Deck Stains, which features a stain and sealer combo containing a stain that penetrates the wood fibers while protecting the top surface of the wood.

To give painted furniture maximum protection, top coat paint with 3 coats of clear coat.

After sanding lightly, all three top clear coats would be a great choice for stained furniture.

Any of the top three choices would work beautifully on milk paint but if you like a super matte finish, this one is your best bet for use on milk paint whether it is General Finishes Milk Paint or Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint! Please note that some of this sites links are affiliate links, and RenovatedFaith.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thanks!!! For the best protective finish for stained wood, Id pick General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat. I am going to ask Crystalac about this.

Furniture wax can be a beast.

You can click here to see more reviews and the current price: Where to Buy Varathane Water-based Polyurethane. What is the Best Sealer for Wood Projects?

The good news is that there are some great alternatives to wax on chalk-painted furniture.

So sorry again that this happened.

It can be tricky to find a sealer with absolutely no toxic fumes but you will always find fewer VOCs with water-based polyurethanes like Varathanes Waterbased Polyurathanes or General Finishes Water-based Sealers.

However now he has painted (with Fusion again) an antique dresser and wardrobe. (The Best Sealer for Chalk Paint if you want a lower-cost version(and who doesnt! Their Flat High-Performance Top Coat is a clear, flat, water-based topcoat and excels at making chalk-painted or milk-painted projects much more durable. I cant imagine having a tabletop without a clear coat for easy clean-up after means.

The Minwax polyurethane separated so it took me a while to stir the product so it was once again consistent.

Karin.

Spray clear coats seem like they are incredibly convenient and if you are working on a craft project, they are. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. There are two basic types of topcoats for furniture: water-based and oil-based. Several reviews said that the topcoat looks milky and opaque when applied but that it because completely clear once it dried. Just like clear coating painted furniture, be sure to let the stain dry for at least 48 hours and sand very lightly. Be sure to apply it within temperatures of 65 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

2022 UPDATE: At the time I wrote this post, Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane did not have a flat (matte finish) but now they do. I have not seen it yellow on any of my furniture pieces. One was painted and one was stained. Any of the brands listed in this post, including our top choice, can be used if you want to use poly over chalk paint. See the current price here.

To provide a thick clear coat for wood, add three thin layers of clear coat for maximum durability. Your email address will not be published. I feel like Im second guessing everything.

I had purchased the varythane top coat.

What is your recommendation for cleaning those pieces?

I have found the matte sheen (if you are interested) at Home Depot. For that reason, chalk paint always needs some sort of sealant on top. I would use Benjamin Moore Advance and the top pick for clear coat in this post the Varathane Water-based Polyurethane.

The CrystaLac topcoat can also be sprayed onto any surface, even metal, and dries quickly.

Whether you are looking for the best top coat for chalk paint or even for latex paint or stain, this is a good general rule of thumb: BOTTOM LINE: If your painted wooden furniture piece will come into regular contact with water, food, or little fingerprints, you need a topcoat for the ultimate protection!

Want to transform a furniture piece but dont know where to begin? For that reason, it is best to seal all stained wood to prevent scratches from ruining the finish. I hope this helps!

You have thoroughly nailed it on sooo many questions I have for painting my table , chairs , and hutch ..

The shinier the piece the more durable and easy the surface is to wipe off. Oil-based polyurethanes are great when it comes to having a waterproof surface as they both left no glass rings on the surface of each sample.

When you are finished with your first thin coat over the entire surface, dont touch it and let it dry according to the directions on the can. This blog is about transformation.

Also, this formula was the best performing water-based clear coat when it came to water rings as no ring was left after 24 hours.

General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat, How to Fix Damaged Furniture Before Refinishing, Varathanes Water-Based Spar Urethane (Exterior Sealant), Behrs Transparent and Semi-Transparent Deck Stains, Polycrylic Top Coat: How to Apply Polycrylic without Streaks.

Thank you!

Please note that these are products I know/use and recommend.

There is definitely a learning curve as far as technique and the wax has to be reapplied regularly to maintain the durability of the finish.

Over time, those fingerprints and smudges will make your piece look dingy and not in a rustic farmhouse way. Some are just better options for others but water-based and oil-based polyurethane can go over chalk paint just like latex paint. However, if you have chalk-painted cabinets, you will need some sort of protective finish to make them durable enough for high-traffic areas. ), Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish (click here for the current price), Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane (click here for the current price), General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat (click here for the current price), Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane (click here for the current price), Crystalac Water-based General All-Purpose Top Coat (click here for the current price), Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane, Oil-Based (click here for the current price), General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat (click here for the current price), Annie Sloan Wax (click here for the current price), Where to Buy Varathane Water-based Polyurethane, Easy Restoration Hardware Finish With Paint, DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table with Turned Legs, Best Top Coat for Chalk Paint General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat in Flat, General Finishs High-Performance Top Coat in Flat Finish (click here for the current price), Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane in Matte. I recommend using a clear coat on high-traffic furniture pieces like dining tables, coffee tables, desks, end tables, or entry tables as these are all used daily and subject to wear and tear.

Thanks Karen!

Would you varnish an armoire-turned-coffee-bar on the surfaces that would only be used frequently?

I hope this help!

We did a blind test on 8 of the most popular choices of clear coats for furniture.

Also, its a good idea to use a top coat on any furniture pieces exposed to regular humidity like kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

The chalk paint itself isnt durable enough and you will need that protection to ensure your furniture piece continues to look good. Water-based top coats also dry quickly and can be used on a bare, stained, or painted wood surface. This is temporary and it will dry to a clear finish in a few minutes. Applying an outdoor paint sealer for wood is important to prevent wood rot, especially in soft woods like southern yellow paint. When I was learning how to seal painted wood furniture, I sanded between coats and it completely ruined the finish.

Any furniture piece can benefit from a protective finish but especially those that get a lot of use on a daily basis will be better safeguarded from damage, fingerprints, water stains, and smudges. But honestly, over the years, I have gotten lazy and just clean them with whatever I was using on the countertops and havent had any issues.

Top Coat over white. By applying a clear coat to unsealed chalk paint, you can get a more durable, waterproof finish, but without the time, effort, and extra expense of wax!

Use a lint-free cloth to remove any dust on the surface of the wood.

Some wood sealants might be harder but can also leave a yellow haze on white pieces.

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For any other color, just make sure the topcoat sheen matches the sheen of the latex.

The protective coating makes cleaning furniture pieces easier because dirt cant penetrate into the paint surface. I will take your suggestion!!

While sealing wax can waterproof a surface, there is a definite learning curve with applying wax properly. There is no real way around it you have to sand. Even primer will have difficulty sticking to it. Use an inexpensive foam brush (like this) and brush in one direction for each coat.

Clear coats can work on several paint options including mineral paints, media paints, decorative paints, chalk paint and latex. We have a matching dining table, Buffett and China hutch that he refinished 40 years ago.

Some bubbles were left in the finish but they quickly popped upon drying leaving a super smooth finish with no brush marks.

I guess my most important question is can I use the water based products over the finish after lightly sanding out the wear marks?

Clear liquid oils made from natural chemicals arent as effective as other clear sealers but there are still several winners on the list with low VOCs. Someone asked me how to refinish a piece of furniture that had been clear coated with an oil-based polyurethane.

Chalk paint is not known for its durability and it is not waterproof, so it needs some kind of coating to provide a harder surface and to seal in the paint. Theres a product called Zinnser BIN and its the only thing that I have found that prevents knot holes from coming through over time. Its a great product. Varathane states it has the best scratch and stain resistance available and based on our findings, I believe them!

Great question Stephanie! Be sure to always check the instructions from the chalk paint manufacturer. However, General Finishs High-Performance Top Coat in Flat Finish (click here for the current price) was picked as the best chalk paint topcoat and sealer because it preserves the look, feel and color while increasing the durability of milk paint and chalk paint even with one coat. Based on your experience, I changed the review above but I know that isnt a big help to you.

If we were to just stain the steps (which would be nice) there is alot of sanding that needs to be doneAlot! And even worse, have you added a protective finish to painted wood that left streaks or haziness on your beautiful finish? Let me know if you have any other questions! Im referring to the Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane mentioned in your The All-Around Best Clear Coat for Painted Wood Furniture section vs. the Varathane Water-Based Topcoat identified in the Overall Best Paint Sealer for Wood paragraph.

(See how chalk paint did in my testing: The Best Paint for Furniture (24 Brands Blind-Tested and Reviewed).

In my post on How To Stencil on Wood Without Bleeding, I used the Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane and had excellent results! We of course want a topcoat that wont yellow over time as these are very light paint colors.

Hi Marla, The Varathane Waterbased Poly is the best way to go and you can pick from different sheen colors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A DIYer, encourager, and tenacious problem solver determined to help you transform your house into a home.

Its too dull and matte.

UPDATE: Since writing this post, Varathane has come out with a water-based wood paint sealer spray. Hi Karen, Im making wall decorations out of pine wood.will the knots come through on my pieces whether I stain,chalk paint or use acrylic paint over time?

Hi Karin,

So, while they could both be used for stained surfaces, they would not be a good choice for painted furniture, especially light or white paint colors. Also, oil-based clear coats require cleaning your brushes with mineral spirits. Hi, thanks for guidance.

Click here for the current price.

-Karin, Hi Karen thank you so much for the wonderful blog.

Chalk paint does a decent job at sticking to surfaces.

If you are wondering what clear coat to put on latex-painted cabinets, I would consider going without one.

The best sealer for chalk paint should not only be durable but easy to apply.

Join me as I give you my best DIY tips and home decor hacks while sharing some faith-filled encouragement along the way. Based on this article I bought and used the Crystalac

It doesnt give you quite as much time as its interior polyurethane version. (As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Especially if you have young kids, your tabletop, desk, or other small projects can be easily ruined with an accidental scratch or water damage from a drinking glass left on it for too long not to mention spills! Exterior wood surfaces are obviously exposed to hard conditions such as rain, humidity, and high temperatures.

After painting your furniture piece, let the final coat of paint dry for a couple of days.

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This chest will be heavily used by children and need the ultimate protection. It dries quickly and can be easily cleaned up with soap and water. These are natural top coat alternatives to poly topcoats but I wanted to test products that are not only protective against damage but water infiltration.

Thanks for being a subscriber!!

However, if you use chalky paint, it will need a sealer over the entire surface of the piece.

Sand very lightly in between and follow the dry time recommended on the can.

Hello!

When Im not spending time with my family, you will find me redoing furniture in the garage or watering plants in my greenhouse. Thanks for the great review

A good rule of thumb is that nothing will stick to wax except primer.

Im feeling like a broken record again but I love how Varathanes Waterbased Polyurethane brings out the details of wood grain without making raw wood too dark. Thank you so much for sharing! The paper bag is enough to rough up the surface so the clear coat sticks to the stain but it doesnt leave any scratches in the stain. Click here for the current price and reviews. Thank you, Hi there, so sorry to hear that about your chest! I had him paint most of each piece but left the drawers natural.

I totally understand and the more painting you do, the more confident you will get. Certain types of wood species are softer than others and ironically some of these are actually hardwoods but a few coats of a good sealer can go a long way in protecting wooden surfaces.

I would not attempt to refinish this surface without at least sanding and adding a primer and I describe it in this post here: How to Paint Furniture the Easy Way. I used an inexpensive foam brush to apply the protective finish.

Not all top coats are created equally but after blind-tested 8 products, Ill share with you the best waterproof sealer for painted wood.

But you can give any furniture piece the same sheen with a coat of clear coat. Its only my second paint project and Im still so worried about ruing my furniture. Oil-based polyurethanes were always the more durable choice but now they have a lot of competition as water-based formulas have improved.

Fortunately, I have found a great water-based exterior sealant and to into detail at the end of the post. The top has child and cat scratches but none through to the stain. If you dont stir in the solids, your finish will be a high gloss finish.

The only reason it was not the best chalk paint topcoat is because the price is higher than our top pick but its by far our best choice as the best clear coat for white paint. Although wax can be used to increase chalk paints durability, it requires frequent reapplication so you will have to reapply a coat of wax every six months or so for full protection. Then, I put glasses of ice water on each sample for 24 hours to see which samples allowed a ring to appear.

Wax usually comes in a can and comes in a paste consistency. So, if you need a more durable finish, satin is often a good option because its not very shiny so you still have the chalk paint finish, but is a hard, waterproof surface.

Clear wax is not the only option for sealing chalk-painted pieces of furniture.

So if your table isnt super glossy, you can put the water-based poly over it without any sanding. For the table top, I am staining dark brown.

Gel stains are thicker and more protective so you can get away without a clear coat for lightly used pieces.

Best Satin Clear Coat Click here for reviews and the current price. I get it!

Criteria for the Best Top Coat For Furniture Projects: After testing seven different products, Varathanes Water-Based Polyurethane was the clear winner!

Any exterior wood surface that is not covered with exterior paints needs a coat of clear coat. I found these by going to 4 different Facebook furniture groups I am part of.

It is also well-priced and you can get it with next day delivery in the link above or check your local Home Depot here: Chalk Paint Sealer at Home Depot. If you use a good paint made for cabinets, it should be durable and water-resistant enough without the trouble of a topcoat. And it costs you nothing.

Choosing the Right Clear Coat for Painted Wood.

I would personally just clear coat the surfaces that get used a lot. However, the longer drying time can mean fewer brush strokes.

If a chalk-painted piece without wax or a top coat comes into contact with water, the paint can actually re-liquefy!

One reviewer complained about slight yellowing on a white piece of furniture but thats actually a plus for stained furniture as it warms up the tone slightly making it the best clear coat for wood.

Hi there, great article but now Im lost with many different tabs up one which product to choose. After reading this article do you think I would be better off using the CrystaLac as a top coat?

I love how in depth your articles are. I think Im going to do an additional (4) cost of white before I do the top coat.

Heres a little about the pros and cons of each: It used to be that all clear polyurethanes were oil-based but now you are seeing several polyurethanes that are water-based and just as durable!

I would use the Water-based Varathane Polyurethane on both.

IMPORTANT TIP: The fine print on your can might call for a light sanding between coats of clear coat.

Especially on projects using new wood, the wood color can look pretty muted but added even a single coat of sealer can give you a little bit more contrast to better see the natural grain of the wood. In your experience does the varathane water based polyurethane hold up to test to scratches on dark stain?

You might test an inconspicuous part of the table to see how it looks before doing the whole thing. All three pieces yellowed over At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. You can find the rest of my furniture refinishing and DIY videos by clicking here: Renovated Faith, YouTube. best clear coat for painted wood furniture (CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT PRICE), Click Here To See My Best Furniture Before and After Reveals, The Best Paint for Furniture (24 Brands Blind-Tested & Reviewed), The Best Paint for Furniture (24 Brands Blind-Tested and Reviewed), Varathane Water-based Polyurethane (See reviews here. Varathanes Water-based Polyurethane is a fabulous product that was easy to apply.

After blind-testing 8 top products, Ive found the best clear coat for furniture (and the best chalk paint sealer) and its not wax! If you have, you know how incredibly frustrating that can be. You can go from a gloss to matte in just one coat of a seal coat in matte or satin without repainting your furniture piece. Ive seen this problem as well but what helps is to add a little extra product per coat on your surface.

Read more here. On each project, I put at least 4 coats of clear sealer and Ive been so happy with how well they have held up to condensation from drinks and everyday use. Hope this helps! Join 30,000 other DIYers by subscribing to the weekly newsletter and you will also get instant access to dozens of freebies. This has a gorgeous matte finish but also comes in other sheens.

All seven topcoats are good products but I found our top three clear coats all performed with better results than Polycrylic in terms of durability and water permeability.

The Varathane Water-based Topcoat was the best option for latex-painted furniture as it settles well and protects latex furniture from water which could cause bubbling or peeling on unprotected latex surfaces.

Thank you for all the trial and error you have done so the rest of us can get it right! It goes on easily with no streaks or brush strokes and it will never yellow, making it perfect for white and light-painted pieces if you are concerned about that. How to Fix Damaged Wood: Caulk, Wood Filler, or Epoxy?

Its great for wood decks and any other exterior surface. Although its water-based, it is the most durable top coat that I have come across that wont yellow. And to save you some time, my favorite clear coat for any kind of paint is Varathane Water-based Polyurethane (See reviews here.)

I have done it on a side table that had tons of TINY scratches and the Varathane Waterbased Poly made it look like a whole new table. Im doing only a couple pieces at a time, as I cant paint all pieces at once. AN IMPORTANT TIP ON HOW TO SEAL PAINTED WOOD FOR OUTDOOR USE: When applying Varathanes Spar Urethane, make sure to keep a wet edge so it doesnt dry up on you too fast.

What is the best cover I should use on the base so it protects, doesnt yellow, and is not shiny like the top would be? Perhaps you are familiar with using wax as a protective coating on chalk paint but did you know you can more easily apply a top coat and your surface will be better protected from water?

Fortunately, there are lots of good alternatives to wax on the market.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

There are so many options when it comes to clear coats. A clear coat (often referred to as a poly finish or topcoat) is basically a clear protective layer that you brush on your painted or stained furniture piece after it has dried. I didnt know that.

Minwaxs Water-based Polycrylic Top Coat is a commonly used clear coat for furniture refinishing.

(just the top of it) Is that ok?

The instructions on the can say to sand in between but dont do that. (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){

Would you own a home without insuring it? It stood up well to the water test but not quite as well as the Varathane Water-Based, although the results were outstanding, especially for a matte finish which is inherently not as water-proof.

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