The 6 Best Hardwood Varnishes (2022 reviews)
It is important to have the well suited hardwood varnish.
In the following post, we will help you to select the best hardwood varnishs.
Also check our buying guide on Best Shellac Varnishes, which will help you understand market quickly.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: Minwax Warm Water READ REVIEWBest With Low Odor: Buy: Varathane Hardwood Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Cabinet: Buy: Minwax Hardwood Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Worth The Money: Buy: Preservation Solutions Hardwood Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Easy Application: Buy: Rustoleum Hardwood Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Great Look: Buy: Epifanes Hardwood Varnish READ REVIEWBest Overall: Minwax Warm Water
Buy on Amazon Here, we review a varnish that manages to win our hearts. It's the Minwax Warm Water and it's widely considered as one of the best varnish you can buy. The minwax warm water includes minwax fast-drying polyurethane or water based oil modified polyurethane or helmsman spar urethane for exterior use. After 24 hours (dry time may be extended due to heavy application, low temperatures or high humidity), complete your project by applying a clear protective finish. The special oils allow the finish to expand and contract with the wood as seasons and temperatures change. Most importantly, the minwax warm water is good for professional look and it holds up well.Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the varnish has amazing water repellency and beads up nicely with rain or dew. Moreover, a few also found that the varnish will dry much faster, additionally protecting the bench top. Also, a few say that the varnish works well over stained wood. In conclusion, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is oil - based. It will turn your door yellow.
- This is great for water splashes and normal scrapes.
- Manufacturer says: since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to keep on finishing.
- This will depend on many other factors, like.
Best With Low Odor: Varathane Hardwood Varnish
Buy on Amazon Next on the list, we've got yet another varnish that manages to win our hearts. It's the Varathane Hardwood Varnish and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient varnish you can buy. The varathane hardwood varnish drys very fast and it must follow the instructions. Varathane provides outstanding scratch and stain resistance to keep your interior wood projects looking great longer. In addition, the varnish is very smooth, is for ease of application and it is laminate. The varnish looks amazing and it is great for acrylic paintings. Finally, the varathane hardwood varnish has stained surfaces, dries super fast and it is very dry.Almost all customers quickly discovered that the varnish is not rated for high heat. In addition, a few strongly agree that the varnish is great for painted fireplace tile. And, they say that the varnish is used for indoor items. To sum up, for most buyers, Varathane product was what they were looking for.Top Customer Quotes:
- This includes all that information, but in a very technical way.
- This is easy to work with and goes on easily using a foam brush.
- This is a great finishing coat for latex/acrylic interior paints.
- This is easy to use and dried super quickly with a super glossy finish.
Best For Cabinet: Minwax Hardwood Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Minwax Hardwood Varnish is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular use. The minwax hardwood varnish can be used on floors to touch up small areas that are worn or scratched. Should minwax wipe-on poly be sanded between coats. This product must be sure to allow wood that has been stained to dry completely before top coating with minwax wipe - on poly. The varnish is the perfect choice for furniture, interior doors, trim and other woodwork. Finally, the minwax hardwood varnish is made for new floors or floors that need to be refinished, minwax fast-drying polyurethane or minwax super fast-drying polyurethane for floors should be used.Almost all customers agree that the varnish is great for furniture and oddly - shaped items. Moreover, they say that the varnish has that great poly protection that the others lack. In addition, a few strongly agree that the varnish will look better even if stained first. To sum up, most buyers found the varnish is functionally comfortable and no one questions it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This will work on a sanded piece of PVC pipe.
- This does build a nice water - resistant finish.
- This will fill in & seal/dry but not fully fill in the knot holes.
- This is latex then a water - based clear finish would be a better choice.
Best For Worth The Money: Preservation Solutions Hardwood Varnish
Buy on Amazon We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Preservation Solutions Hardwood Varnish for daily usage. The preservation solution hardwoodvarnish is ready to use—no mixing required. Pentacryl will leave your wood looking clean and bright while also making woodworking, turning, and carving easier as it lubricates the tools. Also, the varnish is perfect for wood shops and it reduces drying time. Above all, the preservation solution hardwood varnish is perfect for wood and it is good for fast delivery.Almost all customers quickly discovered that the varnish had both been packed in the saw dust inside cardboard from chainsawing. Furthermore, a few also found that the varnish takes a long time to see if it does not split in the middle. Moreover, a few say that the varnish has only been 7 months, but so far no splitting. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best varnish for daily purposes.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is a little cheaper, but if it does the job then it is worth it.
- This can be used by museums and restoration specialists to restore their waterlogged wooden artifacts.
- This will harden the wood but it will stop it from splitting.
- This will need to completely dry prior to applying a finish.
Best For Easy Application: Rustoleum Hardwood Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Rustoleum Hardwood Varnish's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The rustoleum hardwoodvarnish is a manufacturer of premium consumer and industrial paint and coating products. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, the varnish comes with an extremely durable formula, It fills small scratches, cracks, and other small imperfections with a clear hard finish that blends with all sheens and does not crack. Above all, the rustoleum hardwood varnish allows for quick and easy application.Almost all buyers opine that the varnish will withstand wear on a floor. Also, they say that the varnish is great for touching up or small item's. In addition, they strongly agree that this clear coat adds shine, helping to disguise the touched up areas on satin finished wood floors, coating over the haze.Top Customer Quotes:
- It is very effective in covering scratches on a dresser with maple finish.
- The Manufacturer says: solving challenges is the very foundation of who we are.
- The Easy-to-use pen fills small scratches, cracks and nicks with a hard finish.
- It is easy to clean and it is very effective.
Best For Great Look: Epifanes Hardwood Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Epifane line of varnish comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Epifanes Hardwood Varnish is made for a great appearance and it is great for bird poop. Formulated with tung oil, phenolic and alkyd resins results in a finish that has superior flow. In addition, it is superior protection with an ultra high gloss finish. Finally, the epifanes hardwood varnish is perfect for household or marine, provides excellent coverage and it is made with low odor.Almost all buyers agree that the varnish can be used on door thresholds. And, a few say that the varnish is used to finish patio furniture. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the varnish is easy to use, mix 4 parts varnish and 1 part mineral spirits. In short, many have used the varnish for more than a few months without letup, and it shows no sign of giving up.Top Customer Quotes:
- This will look great all the way through the winter.
- Used in many applications, both exterior and interior, household or marine, brushed, sprayed, or.
- World famous, highest quality traditional tung oil marine spar varnish.
- This is good for good quality and it is designed to be worth every penny.