We consider a marine varnish to be a worthy investment in the long run. Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best marine varnish for you.

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Totalboat Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Worth The Money: Buy: Epifanes Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Superior Durability: Buy: Mccloskey Great Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Uv Protection: Buy: Mccloskey Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Front Door: Buy: System Three Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For All Interior And Exterior Brightwork Applications: Buy: Pettit Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best With Low Odor: Buy: Valspar Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Water Resistance: Buy: Duralux Marine Varnish READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Totalboat Marine Varnish

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The Totalboat Marine Varnish has good features for the price point. The totalboat marine varnish is used for quick dry time, comes with high-gloss and it holds up well. The manufacturer says: It'd be nice if they could hold up longer, cure faster, coat better, apply easily and—since we all know boat ownership creates a mini maelstrom in your pocket—cost less. Moreover, the varnish comes with a topcoat of lust matte, which can be thinned with totalboat special brushing thinner 100 for improved flow.

The varnish is not intended for use as a sealer (base) coat. In addition, it is great for customer service and it is simple to apply. Most importantly, the totalboat marine varnish is smooth and durable, with a gloss level so shiny it looks wet, even when it’s dry—making it ideal for brightwork.

Almost all buyers opine that the varnish will take longer since it is an oil - based finish. Further, they also found that the varnish will get a little better. Moreover, a few strongly agree that this is a thick varnish and the instructions call for the first coat to be thinned. In conclusion, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the varnish suits the purpose.

• This is easy to work with but high in price.
• These are sealed with the totalboat lust marine varnish.
• Lust high gloss dries fast, hard, and wet-looking.
• This has used three coats and it works great.

Best For Worth The Money: Epifanes Marine Varnish

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The Epifanes Marine Varnish might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. The epifanes marine varnish makes for ease of use and it is made for outdoor use. Use on new wood or restoring old wood to a deep clear finish, softwood or hardwood, marine or household applications. Further, the varnish has superior protection with an ultra high gloss finish.

The varnish comes with a high cost and it is very happy. Most importantly, the epifanes marine varnish is proprietary and it is made for worth the money.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the varnish is very shiny and hard as a rock and is supposed to hold up well in sun and water. Also, a few also found that the varnish can also be applied by brushing, wiping-on, or padding. Also, they strongly agree that the varnish is a smooth sanded cedar, then yes you will have slippery problems. Overall, for most buyers, Epifane product was just what they wanted.

• This will act as a sealer to prevent incompatibility between all finishes.
• This is hands down the best exterior varnish.
• This rock hard, looks beautiful and it is warm.
• This can be used on blue pine live edge outdoor bar.

Best For Superior Durability: Mccloskey Great Varnish

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Compared with other varnish in this category, the Mccloskey great varnish has a convenient design. The Mccloskey great varnish is built to resist weathering. Don't trust your exterior wood doors, furniture and trim to be anything but the best. Also, the varnish is a fantastic, tung oil based, marine-grade varnish, suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

Most importantly, the Mccloskey great varnish is great for window sills, is great for other surfaces and it protects wood surfaces.

Most buyers agree that the varnish is a great varnish for outdoor wood furniture. In addition, they say that the varnish will change the color quite a bit. Moreover, they also found that the varnish provides a long - lasting finish. In conclusion, for almost all customers, it was what they were looking for.

• This allows for great coverage and it is designed for superior durability.
• Man o'war spar varnish should not be used on.
• This is perfect for flat surfaces, has great results and it has a spray gun.
• This has shown "no" signs of wear.

Best For Uv Protection: Mccloskey Marine Varnish

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Compared with other varnish in this category, the Mccloskey marine varnish has a convenient design. The Mccloskey marinevarnish is great for use on wooden boats, outdoor furniture, doors, fences and trim. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, it has used 3 coats and it is very strong.

Finally, the Mccloskey marine varnish is great for window sills and it is good for UV protection.

Most buyers find that the varnish looks like this should last a number of years. Furthermore, a few also found that the varnish is also a humid area in general. And, they strongly agree that the varnish is day 2 with no response.

• This will probably work, but the varnish would turn the quilt slightly yellow.
• This looks like fine furniture, almost too good to be outside.
• This is easy to install / clean up too.
• Maximum u.v. Protection/extra protection from sun and weather.

Best For Front Door: System Three Marine Varnish

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Compared with other varnish in this category, the System Three Marine Varnish has a convenient design. The system three marine varnish is very nice, is really good and it is wonderful in application. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, it offers excellent protection from salt air and water.

The varnish has great results and it is worth the money. And, the varnish looked beautiful and it went on well. Above all, the system three marine varnishs is designed for marine epoxy and exterior wood surfaces such as railings, doors or any surface where a clear, durable finish is desired.

Almost all customers quickly discovered that the varnish is designed for a floor or deck coating is what will be the best option. In addition, they say that the varnish will last a long time. Further, they also found that the varnish is more work, but caution is important. Overall, most buyers agree that the varnish suits best, and no one questions it.

• This is very clear and dries to a fine clear finish on most surfaces.
• This will fill them in, It is a liquid.
• This has excellent resistance to sunlight/ultraviolet rays.
• Designed for marine and exterior wood surfaces.

Best For All Interior And Exterior Brightwork Applications: Pettit Marine Varnish

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Next on the list, we've got yet another varnish that manages to win our hearts. It's the Pettit Marine Varnish and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient varnish you can buy. The pettit marinevarnish is great for UV protection and it seen review for description. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, it is made for direct sunlight, went on smoothly and it is good for excellent flow.

Lastly, the pettit marine varnish has great results and it has foam brushes.

Almost all customers opine that the varnish looks 3d when looking at the fiddleback. Also, they also found that the varnish is a great item and it is in weather all year round. Furthermore, a few also found that the finish is very smooth and even one coat looks like it is an inch deep.

• This is easy to use, has a great finish and a fair price.
• This is used to finish exterior doors.
• This is easy to apply and the gloss is excellent.
• This is perfect for all interior and exterior brightwork applications.

Best With Low Odor: Valspar Marine Varnish

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The Valspar 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 Valspar Marine Varnish is good for coffee tables and it makes it easy. Please note that this item can be shipped by ground to addresses within the continental United States only. Further, it is flexible and it is made for exterior use.

Lastly, the valspar marine varnish is designed for exterior doors and it is for bare wood.

Most buyers find that the varnish is a concern, seek out shellac with no amber color, or better yet, super blond shellac. Furthermore, a few also found that the varnish is designed for wooden sailboat spars, like on sail boats, and it doesn't dry clear enough for paintings. To sum up, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

• This provides for these valuable canoes.
• This is made with good stuff and it is great for garage doors.
• This is made from redwood and mrytlewood.
• Ideal for entry ways, garage doors & sills.

Best For Water Resistance: Duralux Marine Varnish

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Duralux makes beautiful and great varnish with classic and smartly chosen materials. The Duralux marine varnish offers a complete line of high performance products that are regarded as the industry standard. Manufacturer says: Choose the right base coat marine primer paint with our duralux sub-trop red primer paint. Further, it is available in colors to satisfy the most discriminating boat owner’s eye.

Most importantly, the Duralux Marine Varnish can be used on equipment and it resists rust.

Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the varnish is now 2018, the finish has lifted and needs to be deep sanded. In addition, a few strongly agree that the varnish has been two years and the finish is flawless. In short, many have used the varnish for more than a few months without any problems, and it shows no sign of giving up.

• Used on equipment and oil rigs.
• For use on commercial or personal boats.
• This is used for water resistance and it has excellent adhesion.
• This works well with beautiful results and it works great.