Polyurethane for Wood

Polyurethane is the clear coat that protects stained, bare, or painted interior wood on furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, and floors. This collection gathers brush-on, wipe-on, and spray polyurethanes from Minwax, Varathane, General Finishes, Old Masters, ZAR, and Watco, in water-based and oil-based formulas from ultra flat to gloss. Spar urethanes for outdoor wood are not in this collection; find them under protective finishes and topcoats.

Pick by job. For a clear, fast-recoat finish on furniture and cabinets, start with a water-based poly such as General Finishes High Performance, which GF lists as non-ambering, Varathane Ultimate Water-Based Polyurethane, or Minwax Polycrylic. For a warm amber tone, use an oil-based poly such as Minwax Fast-Drying, Varathane Interior Oil-Based, Old Masters, or ZAR, or GF Arm-R-Seal. For carved or detailed pieces, wipe-on and gel formulas go on with a cloth. For floors, use a product the maker rates for floors: Minwax Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane, ZAR Interior Oil-Based or OMU Poly, or Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane.

Polyurethane lines compared

Line Type Best for (maker) Coverage and recoat (maker) Sheens and sizes here
General Finishes High Performance Water-based acrylic/urethane; dries clear, non-ambering Interior tabletops, kitchen cabinets, furniture, trim, doors Up to 600 sq ft/gal; recoat 2 hr; full cure 21 days; VOC under 173 g/L (Flat to Gloss), Dead Flat under 225 g/L Dead Flat, Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss in pints, quarts, gallons
Varathane Ultimate Water-Based Polyurethane Water-based acrylic polyurethane Interior furniture, cabinets, doors, trim; not for floors or exterior About 400 to 500 sq ft/gal; recoat 2 hr; light use 48 hr; full cure 7 days Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss in 11.25 oz spray, half pint, quart; Gloss and Satin gallons
Varathane Triple Thick Water-based; about 3X thicker film per coat One-coat interior builds; not for floors or exterior About 50 sq ft/qt; touch and recoat about 2 hr; full cure 7 days Gloss, Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss quarts; Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss sprays
Minwax Polycrylic Water-based, crystal clear; soap-and-water cleanup Interior wood; not for floors About 125 sq ft/qt (spray about 20 to 25 sq ft/can); brush-on recoat about 1 to 2 hr; VOC under 275 g/L (brush-on) Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Ultra Flat half pints; Ultra Flat quart; Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss 11.5 oz sprays
Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Oil-based Interior furniture, cabinets, doors, floors About 125 sq ft/qt; recoat 3 to 4 hr; VOC 550 g/L max Clear Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss in half pint, quart, gallon; Clear Satin 11.5 oz spray
Minwax Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors Oil-based floor finish Interior hardwood floors About 600 to 700 sq ft/gal; recoat 3 to 4 hr, no sanding if recoated within 12 hr; VOC 450 g/L max Clear Satin gallon
Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane Water-based acrylic urethane with aluminum oxide Interior wood floors About 400 to 500 sq ft/gal; recoat 2 hr; light use 4 hr; normal use 3 days Clear Gloss, Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss gallons
Varathane Interior Oil-Based Polyurethane Oil-based; mineral spirits cleanup Interior clear coats with a traditional oil look See label Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss half pints and quarts; Gloss and Semi-Gloss gallons; Varathane Polyurethane Spray in Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss 11.25 oz
Varathane Soft Touch Water-based, low sheen Interior furniture and trim with a soft matte feel See label Clear Matte quart
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Oil-based, self-leveling Interior floors, bars, counters, tabletops, cabinets, doors About 500 sq ft/gal; touch 3 hr, recoat after 6 hr; two coats recommended; VOC 450 g/L Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss half pints and quarts; 13 oz cans in Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Old Masters Oil-Based Gel Polyurethane Oil-based gel, wipe-on Hand-rubbed sheen on cabinets, furniture, trim, antiques About 700 to 750 sq ft/gal; 6 hr between coats, no sanding between coats; 2 to 3 coats; VOC 450 g/L Satin quart
ZAR Interior Oil-Based Poly Oil-based, fast-drying, self-leveling Hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture, woodwork About 500 to 600 sq ft/gal; 2 hr between coats; 2 coats, 3 on floors Clear Gloss, Satin, Matte quarts; Clear Matte gallon
ZAR Interior OMU Poly Waterborne oil-modified urethane; light amber tone Floors, cabinets, furniture, countertops About 400 to 500 sq ft/gal; touch 30 min, recoat 2 hr; soap-and-water cleanup; 3 coats on floors Clear Satin gallon
Minwax Wipe-On Poly Wipe-on clear coat Interior wood; thin, hand-rubbed look About 62 sq ft/pint; recoat 2 to 3 hr; dry overnight before use; VOC 600 g/L max Clear Gloss and Satin pints and quarts
Watco Wipe-On Poly Urethane-modified alkyd, wipe-on Detailed interior pieces that are hard to brush About 50 to 100 sq ft/qt; recoat 4 to 6 hr; full cure 24 hr Clear Satin quart
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal and Gel Topcoat Oil and urethane; ambers as it ages Wipe-on or brush-on finish for furniture and detailed pieces See label Arm-R-Seal Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss pints and quarts; Gel Topcoat Satin half pint, pint, quart
General Finishes Enduro Clear Poly and Enduro 2K Water-based, spray-grade Spray work on cabinets and furniture See label Enduro Clear Poly Dead Flat and Satin gallons; Enduro 2K Clear Satin gallon; 2K Clear Poly Tint Base Gloss and Semi-Gloss gallons
Minwax PolyShades Stain and polyurethane in one Doors, trim, cabinets, furniture, even already-finished wood; not for floors Recoat 6 hr; 24 hr after final coat for light use; VOC 550 g/L max 8 colors in 10.75 oz spray, half pint, quart

Shop related: spray polyurethane and clear spray finishes, all protective finishes and topcoats, wood stains and gel stains, paint brushes, cabinet refinishing, and the furniture refinishing cart.

FAQ

Oil-based or water-based polyurethane?

Water-based polys such as GF High Performance, Varathane Ultimate, and Minwax Polycrylic clean up with soap and water and recoat in about 1 to 2 hours; General Finishes lists High Performance as non-ambering. Oil-based polys such as Minwax Fast-Drying, Old Masters, and ZAR Interior Oil-Based clean up with mineral spirits, take longer between coats (2 to 6 hours depending on the line), and give a warmer amber tone.

Which polyurethane can go on floors?

Use a line the maker rates for floors: Minwax Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane, ZAR Interior Oil-Based Poly or OMU Poly (3 coats on floors), Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, or Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane. Minwax says Polycrylic and PolyShades are not for floors, and Varathane says Ultimate Water-Based Polyurethane and Triple Thick are not for floors.

Polycrylic or polyurethane?

Minwax Polycrylic is a water-based, crystal-clear topcoat with soap-and-water cleanup and about a 1 to 2 hour recoat, but Minwax does not recommend it for floors. Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane is oil-based, recoats in 3 to 4 hours, and is rated for furniture, cabinets, doors, and floors.

How long after stain or Danish oil can I apply poly?

General Finishes says let oil-based products dry 72+ hours before a water-based topcoat, and Watco calls for at least 72 hours before poly over Danish Oil. Old Masters says wait at least 24 hours after its gel stain before a water-based clear. Follow the stain label first.

Can I put polyurethane over white paint?

General Finishes warns against any clear topcoat over white or light paint because it can yellow, and it points to a white poly instead. Do not put polyurethane over wax: Watco says to remove wax completely first.

What is the easiest poly for detailed pieces?

Wipe-on formulas. Minwax Wipe-On Poly gives a thin, hand-rubbed look, Watco Wipe-On Poly is meant for detailed pieces that are hard to brush, Old Masters Gel Polyurethane goes on with no drips or brush marks, and GF Arm-R-Seal can be wiped on.

Can I use these outdoors?

No. The lines here are for interior wood, and Varathane says Ultimate Water-Based Polyurethane and Triple Thick are not for exterior use. For outdoor wood, use a spar urethane or exterior clear from protective finishes and topcoats.

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