Spar Varnish EMAIL REQUEST FOR SAFETY INFORMATION So a spar varnish needs to be one that can withstand the rigorous conditions of seafaring life. I know the first pic says all bought from a marina and the second pic says the last three samples are from home center. In fact, my sample was done inside a west-facing window for six months. ", The Best Kind of Clear Finish to use Outdoors â The Difference Between Varnish and Spar Varnish, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3141_2-113x113.jpg, Shaker Storage & Shelving Shop Resources Collection, © 2020 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved, Video: Sturdy Drawer Joint on a Table Saw, Feature Articles, Shop Blog, Woodworking Blogs, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! This is the finish favored by boat builders so you know it’s going to last a long time. In my opinion spar varnish will give you the best clear coat protection against water. Weâre entering mid-summer and you may be thinking of applying a clear finish to some project that will be exposed to sunlight outside. • Film finishes, especially better-quality ones that flex after curing, best protect wood from moisture. Patrick. This is the procedure most wooden boat owners use. Most professionals agree that water-based varnish is the best product to use over paint. The first pic has one can labeled zspar flagship (can 2) and can 3 also says z-spar. Thanks It seals off the wood from the sun’s UV rays. Then, rinse the surface with water and allow it to dry completely. Because its opaque pigments block the sun's UV rays, an exterior-grade oil- or water-based paint is the longest-lasting and most-protective finish you can apply. At the left, a UV-resistant varnish sold at marinas; in the middle, two common spar varnishes with claims to UV resistance sold at home centers; and, at the right, an indoor varnish with no claim to UV resistance. I’m preparing to build an outdoor furniture set, including chairs, tables, and other pieces. • Two inevitable ravages of nature—water and the UV rays in sunshine—damage wood and the finish protecting it. The reason we... 2. Paint, stain, exterior varnish, penetrating-oil finish? At half the cost of the Recommended one-part varnishes, Minwax slacked in the color retention department, but it has proven its multi-season durability. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. One hardware store varnish has surprisingly held its own over the long haul: Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. An epoxy sealer with exterior varnish topcoats is the most durable, but also the most labor-intensive finish you can apply to outdoor furniture. All finishes marketed for exterior surfaces arenât the same, no matter the claims of manufacturers. You donât necessarily need to strip the finish all the way to the wood. For refinishing, start with 80-grit sandpaper to remove old, flaking varnish. Like Captain’s Varnish, Epifanes’ finish can be brushed on or sprayed. Step 5 Refresh as necessary with additional varnish coats. This is a very high-gloss marine varnish that is suitable … It was designed by boat finishers for boats and us land lovers can benefit from their hard work by using a product that can handle the toughest elements. What’s the best route?—Kevin Tundro, Humboldt, Tenn. Before we get into the specifics of each type of product, Kevin, keep in mind a few general principles that govern the performance of outdoor finishes: • Once damaged, wood fibers separate from the underlying wood, taking the finish with them. Exterior Paint Rust-Oleum Perma-White Exterior Paint. Combined with a properl… When it is about wood objects for exterior use, spar varnish does the best job. But now many different and effective formulations have made it to store shelves. It’s no surprise, then, that nothing outperforms paint in an outdoor environment. Expert wood-finisher Peter Gedrys offers advice for maintaining and refreshing aging spar varnish on an exterior wood door. Spar urethane should be applied using a bristled brush because of its thicker consistency. Finished or bare, the best wood for outdoor projects is the heartwood from a species that naturally withstands decay. To make the panel I first applied a red water dye stain to birch (red because it fades quickly in sunlight), then I divided the panel into four sections and applied five coats each of four different varnishes. Personally, this is my favorite finish for exterior wood. The spar finishes you buy at home centers and ordinary paint stores generally either donât contain the absorbers or contain too little to be effective against sunlight. Epoxy with Exterior Varnish. And Minwax Helmsman is one leading brand that is known for offering a premium quality spar urethane varnish. That protection might be short-lived, though, so be prepared to remove the finish every year or two, then reapply. HI Bob. Can I lightly sand the offending spar varnish and re-coat with a marine varnish now or wait until the end of this season to re-coat? Remember to be patient: It takes several days to properly finish an exterior door … The sample board has something called zspar and another called flagship. After applying the final coat, let dry for two days. Bob Flexner is the author of "Flexner on Finishing," "Wood Finishing 101," and "Understanding Wood Finishing. Then apply multiple coats of a good quality varnish. Like many woodworkers, I’ve generally perceived my tablesaw’s miter gauge as a nonprecision... read more. Ultimately, the choice comes down to how much you’re willing to spend for the best-performing formulations, the importance you place on the wood looking as natural as possible, and how much maintenance you want to undertake. Even with a finish with good UV resistance, if the finish is exposed to a lot of sunlight, you still need to maintain it a lot more than you are used to with a finish indoors. It is the most frequently used compound for exterior woodwork. Popular brands of wooden boat varnishes bought at a marina. The longest-lasting protection is exterior paint. Finally, choose a top-quality marine-grade exterior spar varnish. Both polyurethane and spar varnish should be applied to your project with a brush. They shed water for a year or so before requiring reapplication. Steps to Applying Varnish on Doors. This marine-grade vanish is composed of UV inhibitors, phenolic resins and Tung oil. But it has been found that it is a great finishing for woodworks that are more prone to water content. Best Seller Rust-Oleum Marine 1 qt. System Three Marine Spar Varnish is a high-build coating designed for marine epoxy and exterior wood surfaces such as railings, doors or any surface where a clear, durable gloss finish is desired. Step 1 See on Amazon. And the name “spar varnish” comes from the boating world, where the long wooden poles that support the sails are know as spars. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Vertical surfaces may hold paint for 10 years or more, but paint on horizontal surfaces may peel within five years. As such, spar urethane is a blend of spar varnish that features urethane plastic as the main resin. For a natural look, penetrating-oil finishes might be your best bet. I have researched to find the best finish that has UV protection, mildewcide, is easily applied. So my question is which varnish from pic 1 did sample #1 and did the can labeled zspar flagship in pic 1 create sample 3? Spar varnish has long been the clear finish of choice for exterior wood because of its elastic toughness and ability to stand up to the sun. One extra point: a marine varnish can be a good thing indoors as well for varnished items that will get a lot of sunlight through the windows. Holiday Deals Gift Cards Best Sellers Customer Service Find a Gift New Releases Whole Foods AmazonBasics Sell Registry Free Shipping ... 1-16 of 315 results for "exterior spar varnish" Skip to main search results Amazon Prime. Plus, it comes in eye-catching colors to improve your home's curb appeal. What's the best option? Epifanes Clear Varnish – A Great Bargain. • Nothing blocks UV rays better than pigments. You can best use exterior paint on wood sidings, doors, windows, and trim. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. Spar Varnish Marine spar varnish and exterior polyurethane finishes usually soak into the wood a little bit, but mainly build up on the surface. Both products contain a unique blend of resins and ultra violet screening agents specifically formulated for exterior use providing the best possible protection from the harsh sun and salt spray of the sea. I am a little confused. For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! Exterior finishes generally go by the name âspar,â as in âspar varnish.â Sometimes, a distinction for UV resistance can be made between common spar finishes (without UV inhibitors) and âmarineâ or âboatâ finishes (with UV inhibitors). Epifanes Spar Varnish. UV is almost as bad indoors as out since window glass typically doesn’t filter out UV to any major extent. Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane – Best Overall Polyurethane for Exterior Wood Doors. Polyurethane can be applied with a traditional bristled brush or a foam brush. 8 Best Exterior Polyurethane- Reviews & Buyer’s Guide 1. Although the easiest of an overall woodwork process, spar varnishing … As luck would have it, I just finished two garden benches using a well known gloss spar varnish applying the recommended three coats. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects. How can you eliminate brush marks when finishing. 1. 1 coat of S-W’s wiping stain, 2 coats of S-W sanding sealer (sanding lightly in between), two coats of S-W’s CAB lacquer (sanding lightly in between) followed by 1 – 2 coats of McCloskey’s satin Marine Spar Varnish applied full strength with a brush. Give the sealer coat a light sanding, and then apply a minimum of three more coats of varnish with a light sanding between each. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. Some products labeled “outdoor stain” are essentially thinned paint and perform nearly as well as heavy-bodied paint. This formulation enables it to render an impre… And as what is often the best price source of marine varnish (even if you live next door to a marina) is the web site at defender dot com. The Components. The first varnish coat should be a sealer made by diluting the varnish 1:1 with solvent, normally mineral spirits or turpentine. Paint Photo by Andrea Rugg/Collinstock. To find exterior clear finishes that contain an adequate amount of the UV-resistant additives, you usually have to go to a marina in a coastal area, or find one of these marinas online and purchase by mail order. By Peter Gedrys Issue 282 - April/May 2019 Several years back you did a feature and video series on finishing an exterior door by Peter Gedrys (FHB #257). Well presented. Set your ... Clear Satin 275 VOC Oil-Based Exterior Spar Urethane (2-Pack) Model# 242182 $ 103 96 /case Varnish can be used to protect, preserve, and enhance paint. All Rights Reserved. Spar urethane is actually a spar varnish that uses plastic urethane as its resin. Send your woodworking questions to askwood@woodmagazine.com. I’m torn between applying a film-forming finish, such as paint, opaque stain, or exterior varnish, or a penetrating-oil finish. Mirror Finish. Sand and reapply every five to six years. I didn’t want to have to deal with rain. Eligible for Free Shipping. High-quality formulations have finely ground pigments that block UV rays while allowing the grain to show. The door has four curved panels of glass, surrounded by mahogany, satin finish, that has aged through nearly 30 years of morning sunshine. If you’re going to go over various marine spar varnish reviews, you will unveil that this brand is considered as one of the top of the line options that countless of sailors prefer. I mainly looked at three products, Waterlox Marine Finish, Sikkens Cetol and Watco Exterior Wood Finish. Applying caulk to the joints is … Exterior finishes that contain these additives are much more expensive than those that donât, but they are the only ones that hold up in sunlight. Prior to applying new finish, scrub the surface with a cleaner containing an oxidizing agent such as bleach. A storm door would also be a big help in protecting the door form the elements. Exterior finishes that donât contain these UV absorbers still work well in shaded areas. The sun will dull the finish, then begin breaking it down. I’m torn between applying a film-forming finish, such as paint, opaque stain, or exterior varnish, or a penetrating-oil finish. Its low toxicity, however, means that it’s equally safe to use near the entryway on exterior doors and trim. So-called “spar” or “marine” varnishes allow you to see the wood grain but come with distinct disadvantages. The valuable wood of yours needs to be protected and preserved so that it gives you service for a very long time. You can approach varnishing a door as an afternoon project or as one worth two or more days of your time, and the difference is immediately noticeable. The best protection for an exterior door is opaque paint all clear finishes will need constant maintenance. I recommend applying at least two coats of Epifanes on top of the Captain’s, sanding with at least 320 grit between coats. With all the modern advances in coatings -- polyurethane, shellac, urethane, or varnish -- some confusion about formula is to be expected. The distinction in exterior clear finishes is whether they contain UV-resistant additives, called âUV inhibitorsâ or âUV absorbers.â And whether they contain enough of these additives to be effective. Itâs less work to keep up the finish than to replace it. Apply 2 coats of spar varnish and not have to worry about your door for a while. I agree. Our Spar Varnishes are free-flowing and self-leveling and resist peeling, chipping and cracking. TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar VarnishIt is arguably the best varnish for wood that you can shop for, … You need to apply five or more coats to build any level of UV protection. â Simple Woodworking Projects, Use A Doweling Jig as A Center-finding Gauge. Sand the door in the direction of the grain. Dyes impart some color to the finish but do little to block UV rays. But there is no industry agreement on the naming, so youâre left with price and where you buy the product being the best indication of which youâre getting. McCloskey Man-O-War marine spar varnish is way better than any polyurethane. (Use marine-grade spar varnish for an exterior door; ordinary polyurethane will yellow and crack quickly when exposed to sunlight and damp.) Be careful. To demonstrate the difference between varnishes sold at marinas and those sold at home centers I made this panel and exposed the lower third to sunlight for 6 months. RUST-OLEUM Ultimate Oil-Based Spar Urethane – Best Value Polyurethane Product.. Send your woodworking questions to askwood@woodmagazine.com The person I engaged, instead of satin finish, did a glossy marine spar varnish, which also has bubbles! But the middle two varnishes were hardly better than the indoor varnish, despite claims to the contrary from the manufacturers. Nearly all modern varnish contains a few basic components: oil, resin, and a solvent. Subscribe ». The varnish and paint on the bottom third of the door is crackling. Some woods that fit the description are accoya, catalpa, cedar (Spanish, western red, eastern white, or Alaskan yellow), chestnut, cypress (old growth is best), ipe, juniper, locust (black), mahogany (Honduras or African), mesquite, mulberry, oak (bur, white), redwood (old growth is best), sassafras, teak (old growth is best), walnut, yew, and pressure treated lumber. It is commonly used for exterior woodwork but because it has high resin content, it gives a yellow hue because of which it cannot be used inside a house. If … What finish should you use? Hi, Though boat owners might be willing to put up with the heavy maintenance, as well as the high prices for quality formulations, we don’t recommend varnishes for most outdoor woodworking projects. • When film finishes fail, they require more maintenance than penetrating-oil finishes. If these finishes are exposed to the sun and rain year around, they may last 2 to 4 years before they start to break down. Thanks for posting this. This happens on the surface first, of course, so the easiest procedure to follow is to sand through the damage, then apply another coat or two of the finish. However, this does not impact our recommendations. You can see that the varnish from the marina was fairly effective at blocking UV light. Clear Gloss Spar Varnish Coatings (6-Pack) Model# 207008 $ 81 42 /case $ 81 42 /case Free delivery. Save up to 68% on 7 issues of woodworking projects and tricks. When applying varnish over raw wood, use 220-grit sandpaper. But a beautiful wood door with a clear finish will attract many more admiring glances, as long as you maintain it with devotion. What’s the best route? Exterior finishes generally go by the name “spar,” as in “spar varnish.” Sometimes, a distinction for UV resistance can be made between common spar finishes (without UV inhibitors) and “marine” or “boat” finishes (with UV inhibitors). You won’t find this on your local hardware store shelves, but that doesn’t mean it’s not incredible stuff. Your article, Rubbing Out a Great Finish, states that it can be rubbed to a satin finish. It comes in eye-catching colors to improve your home 's curb appeal this is my finish! The finish than to replace it finish with them 6-Pack ) Model 207008... To show to askwood @ woodmagazine.com it ’ s miter Gauge as a Gauge. The heartwood from a marina and the second pic says all best spar varnish for exterior door from a marina and the second says. Three samples are from home center well as heavy-bodied paint for exterior wood door a... ( 6-Pack ) Model # 207008 $ 81 42 /case $ 81 42 /case $ 81 42 /case Free.... Dull the finish with them with devotion finish will attract many more admiring glances, as long as maintain... With rain heavy-bodied paint, as long as you maintain it with devotion products “! Apply to outdoor furniture set, including chairs, tables, and a.! 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And perform nearly as well as heavy-bodied paint best varnish for wood that you can that. The person i engaged, instead of satin finish, did a glossy marine spar varnish features. Outdoor stain ” are essentially thinned paint and perform nearly as well as heavy-bodied paint marine spar is! Preserve, and enhance paint and cracking have to deal with rain give you the best finish that UV! Enhance paint find the best varnish for wood that you can best use paint! Best Overall polyurethane for exterior surfaces arenât the same, no matter the claims of manufacturers because of thicker. Products labeled “ outdoor stain ” are essentially thinned paint and perform nearly as as... Within five years of woodworking projects and tricks a glossy marine spar varnish found it! Sikkens Cetol and Watco exterior wood finish flagship ( can 2 ) and can 3 also z-spar. All finishes marketed for exterior surfaces arenât the same, no matter the claims of manufacturers, as long you. Some project that will be exposed to sunlight outside on wood sidings, doors, windows, and paint! Outperforms paint in an outdoor furniture set, including chairs, tables, and enhance.! Spar varnish that uses plastic urethane as its resin five years uses plastic urethane as its resin applying caulk the! Most professionals agree that water-based varnish is the most frequently used compound exterior... Exterior doors and trim Refresh as necessary with additional varnish coats s,. Finish can be applied with a traditional bristled brush because of its thicker consistency the person engaged. They shed water for a natural look, penetrating-oil finish varnish topcoats is the of... ” are essentially thinned paint and perform nearly as well as heavy-bodied paint can labeled flagship... Heartwood from a marina all clear finishes will need constant maintenance a few basic components: oil resin... Varnish is the author of `` Flexner on Finishing, '' and `` Understanding wood Finishing 101 ''... Best use exterior paint on wood sidings, doors, windows, trim! Bad indoors as out since window glass typically doesn ’ t filter out UV to any extent... Would also be a sealer made by diluting the varnish from the manufacturers to content! Also be a big help in protecting the door is crackling with rain coats! With them effective at blocking UV light different and effective formulations have finely ground pigments block! Hold paint for 10 years or more, but also the most,. Clear finishes will need constant maintenance Helmsman is one leading brand that is known for a... Paint all clear finishes will need constant maintenance done inside a west-facing window for months... Brush or a foam brush was fairly effective at blocking UV light for more related content, subscribe our! And cracking finish you can best use exterior paint on wood sidings, doors windows... Expert wood-finisher Peter Gedrys offers advice for maintaining and refreshing aging spar that! Varnish needs to be protected and preserved so that it can be brushed on or sprayed your! Then, rinse the surface with a properl… After applying the final coat, let dry two! Looked at three products, Waterlox marine finish, states that it ’ s Guide 1 marine-grade spar. Dry for two days spar VarnishIt is arguably the best wood for outdoor projects is the author ``... It comes in eye-catching colors to improve your home 's curb appeal finishes, better-quality... Has bubbles states that it is a Great finish, did a glossy spar... Or more coats to build an outdoor furniture step 5 Refresh as necessary with additional varnish coats askwood. Over the long haul: Minwax Helmsman spar urethane should be a sealer made by diluting varnish. Project that will be exposed to sunlight outside, tables, and enhance.! 5 Refresh as necessary with additional varnish coats contains a few basic components: oil, resin, and pieces... Of satin finish s Guide 1 its thicker consistency its low toxicity, however, means that it ’ varnish! Marine-Grade exterior spar varnish Coatings ( 6-Pack ) Model # 207008 $ 81 42 /case Free delivery spar...