The 11 Best Water Based Polyurethanes For Wood (2022 reviews)

water based polyurethanes for wood
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Are you planning to buy water based polyurethane for woods, and are you confused about the options ? You have landed on the right page.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: Totalboat Satin Finish
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Best For Worth The Money:
Buy: Minwax Clear Finish
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Best For Cabinet:
Buy: General Finishes Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Best For Handrail:
Buy: Varathane Satin Finish
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Best For Stained Wood:
Buy: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Best For Superior Durability:
Buy: Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish
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Best For Polymer Clay:
Buy: Rustoleum Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Best For Indoor Furniture:
Buy: Varathane Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Best For Stair:
Buy: Zar Clear Coat
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Best For Fence:
Buy: Zar Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Ideal For Marine:
Buy: Totalboat Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Totalboat Satin Finish

Totalboat Satin Finish
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If you often find yourself scrambling for good water, totalboat Satin finish is your solution. The Totalboat Satin Finish is perfect for great protection, goes on smoothly and it is built with great customer service. Satin finish comes in clear only. The regular halcyon formula dries to a clear gloss finish with a slight amber tone that has the beauty of a traditional marine spar varnish, but with greater clarity, abrasion resistance & sun protection.

Lastly, the totalboat satin finish comes in clear or amber colors.

Almost all customers agree that the water will look beautiful and be protected from the elements. Furthermore, a few also found that the water is made for floor application.to slippery. Moreover, a few say that the clear will give you a crystal clear finish and will allow the natural color of the wood to show through.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is great for craft projects and it is great for new wood.
  • This is easy to apply by brushing, rolling or spraying.
  • This can be used on boats to repel water ie.
  • This will continue to perform over time.

Best For Worth The Money: Minwax Clear Finish

Minwax Clear Finish
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Not everyone likes to purchase water for their daily use but the Minwax Clear Finish would be an anomoly. The minwax clear finish works very well and it is great for a great price. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. This crystal clear protective finish protects and adds beauty to woodwork, furniture, and more.

The polyurethane is designed for easy use and it is great for relatively low in fumes. In addition, the water has a nice shine, is ceramic and it dries clear. Lastly, the minwax clear finish is good for craft projects, dries very quickly and it is used for very low odor.

Most buyers found that polyurethane is not the most durable finish for tabletops or cabinet shelves. Also, they say that polyurethane can be used in this way for chalk paint. Moreover, they strongly agree that this finish will give it a shine, even though it 's satin. Overall, most customers agree that polyurethane is functionally comfortable and no one questions it.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • On unfinished wood, apply sufficient material to seal, open joints, edges and end-grain.
  • This is not made to stand up to foot traffic.
  • This is applied will activate something in the acrylic that enables bleeding.
  • It looks nice and is more or less smooth, but it's not the best.

Best For Cabinet: General Finishes Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

General Finishes Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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The general finish water based polyurethane for wood's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The general finish water based polyurethane for wood is perfect for flat surfaces, leaves a nice and it is used for great products. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, this comes with its pure polyurethane durability, it can even be used on floors.

The water has a nice shine, goes on clear and it went on smoothly. Above all, the general finish water based polyurethane for wood works great and it is great for daily projects.

Almost all customers agree that the water is easy to use and has a user-friendly finish. In addition, a few also found that the polyurethane is made for easy cleanup as well. Moreover, they strongly agree that the water does indeed dry very quickly. With no doubts, this polyurethane passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • Dry time between coats is only 1 to 2 hours.
  • This can be used in 35 years of woodworking.
  • It has very little odor whatsoever, and as it dries, it actually smells pleasant.
  • This takes about 3 coats to give a nice rich deep java look.

Best For Handrail: Varathane Satin Finish

Varathane Satin Finish
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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory water, Varathane Satin Finish is your end point. The varathane satin finish looks amazing and it looks great. Varathane provides outstanding scratch and stain resistance to keep your interior wood projects looking great longer. Also, it works perfectly and it is made for ease of application.

The polyurethane is non-toxic and it is ideal for direct sunlight. Finally, the varathane satin finish provides a classic and natural look.

Most buyers quickly discover that the water is good for filling in scratches etc, but your surface is stained so that wouldn't work. In addition, they also found that the water looks like and don’t over brush it even though it looks like snot. Also, a few say that the varathane water based can be finished using pumice and rottenstone to give an excellent finish. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best water for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • It will look glossy and beautiful after a few coatings.
  • This glaze leaves a beautiful, glossy finish to polymer clay sculptures.
  • Water based formula dries fast and cleans up with soap and water.
  • This is safer to use than many other brands.

Best For Stained Wood: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

Minwax Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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For a low asking price, Minwax Water Based Polyurethane For Wood has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. The minwax water based polyurethane for wood has a nice shine, is great for outdoor use and it comes with an application tool. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. This product must be sure to allow wood that has been stained to dry completely before top coating with minwax wipe - on poly.

The polyurethane is scratch resistant, is for interior use and it is perfect for kitchen countertops. Further, this is the benefit of using minwax wipe-on poly versus a traditional polyurethane. Finally, the minwax water basedpolyurethane for wood is a great way to protect finished or unfinished wood.

Almost all buyers found that the water is as good as the regular poly. Moreover, they strongly agree that if the water is latex then a water - based clear finish would be a better choice. Moreover, they also found that note: if the cleaner removed the finish, then maybe applying finish to the area would make it look like the rest of the floor. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best polyurethanes for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is the perfect choice for furniture, interior doors, trim and other woodwork.
  • This will fill in & seal/dry but not fully fill in the knot holes.
  • This is great for furniture and oddly shaped items.
  • This is great with the end result, comes with great stuff and it protects well.

Best For Superior Durability: Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish

Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish
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Compared with other polyurethanes in this category, the Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish has a convenient design. The rustoleum crystal clear finish is great with great stuff and it dries hard. I want a water-based finish for hardwood floors. In addition, the water has a great sheen and it is great for floors.

The polyurethane went on easily and it was cleaned up with simple soap. Lastly, the rustoleum crystal clear finish dried hard and it is suitable for coffee table.

Almost all buyers find that the water will be shipped in a carton is quantity 2, so that's why they call it a 2-pack. In addition, they strongly agree that polyurethane is 10 times easier to apply than oil based. And, they strongly agree that water is a great finish for any type of wood. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best water for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is water resistant but it's not water proof.
  • This is easy to apply, and gives good coverage.
  • This does so quickly, has used 3 coats and it allows for easy application.
  • The better the floor is prepared before, the easier it is to apply the floor finish.

Best For Polymer Clay: Rustoleum Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

Rustoleum Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Rustoleum Water Based Polyurethane For Wood for regular usage. The rustoleum waterbased polyurethanefor wood provides superior durability and protection for indoor wood surfaces in a crystal clear top coat finish. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, the polyurethane provides superior scratch and stain resistance.

The Polyurethane protects interior wood surfaces such as furniture, doors, windows, trim and more. Moreover, this allows for great durability and it can be trusted for good quality. Finally, the rustoleum water based polyurethane forwood is easy to apply and cleans up with soap and water.

Most buyers find that the polyurethane is easy to apply, doesn't stink, dries quickly, and has a great smooth matte finish. In addition, a few also found that polyurethane is a durable sealer & doesnt yellow on light colors. And, they say that the finish has a bit of a waxy feel, and is barely noticeable. To sum up, most buyers agree that polyurethane suits best, and no one questions it.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is the only sealer to use on white chalk paint.
  • This dries relatively quickly and it is made for product number.
  • This works very well, works better and it applies easily.
  • The included photos show that shelf, with the polyurethane applied.

Best For Indoor Furniture: Varathane Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

Varathane Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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The Varathane Water Based Polyurethane For Wood is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily uses. The varathane water based polyurethane for wood is much more, dries clear and it is weather resistant. A water-based, non - yellowing spar varnish formulated to provide outstanding uv protection, durability and phenomenal resistance to the elements. In addition, it is ceramic, went on nice and it does the trick.

The polyurethane is perfect for high quality and it dries clear. Moreover, this goes on easily and it protects well. Finally, the varathane waterbased polyurethanefor wood is fade, allowing for easy application and it is odorless.

Almost all customers opine that the water can be used on boat decks, so it probably could be applied to a painted step stone. Further, they strongly agree that polyurethane is great for outside decor, too. In conclusion, most buyers agree that polyurethane suits best, and no one questions it.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is highly recommended by Diyers.
  • This does one thing very well.
  • This has a UV blocker but this stuff is a wood sealer.
  • It is easy to see where it is applied.

Best For Stair: Zar Clear Coat

Zar Clear Coat
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Next on the list, we've got yet another polyurethane that manages to win our hearts. It's the Zar Clear Coat and it's widely considered as polyurethane that has the most suitable features. The zar clear coat is best for high quality and it holds up well. An environmentally safe, non-yellowing, interior clear wood finish specially formulated to protect and beautify your cabinets, furniture, wall paneling and woodwork. The ideal finish to use over light colored or white stains. Finally, the zar clear coat looks absolutely great and it has low-odor.

Most buyers found that the polyurethane is easy to use and easy to clean up. And, they strongly agree that the water can, but to stir the contents gently.

Why We Like This:
  • Aqua zar water-based polyurethane meets all environmental standards for low emission of solvent vapors.
  • One of the newcomers and featured product.

Best For Fence: Zar Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

Zar Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Compared with other polyurethanes in this category, the Zar Water Based Polyurethane For Wood has a convenient design. The zar water basedpolyurethane forwood is suitable for direct sunlight and it looks amazing. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, this is ideal for exterior wooden surfaces, marine bright work surfaces (above water-line), stained exterior doors.

Most importantly, the zar water based polyurethane for wood is good for outdoor use and it goes on milky.

Almost all customers found that the water makes them very slippery and, when wet, you ought to use mats over the walking area. Further, they say that polyurethane is for outdoor furniture or natural trim work. Also, a few also found that the polyurethane has held up well and gets wet every day. Overall, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

Why We Like This:
  • This is the ideal choice for surfaces that would benefit from a clear protective coating.
  • Lot of satisfied buyers.

Ideal For Marine: Totalboat Water Based Polyurethane For Wood

Totalboat Water Based Polyurethane For Wood
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Totalboat has been making great water for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. The Totalboat Water Based Polyurethane For Wood provides great value and it is suitable for exterior use. Dries fast so you can finish faster than with traditional varnishes. This one part polyurethane wood varnish needs no mixing — just pour it out of the bag and it 's ready to apply by brushing, rolling or spraying.

The water comes in clear or amber colors. In addition, this is not available in a 4 quart kit. Lastly, the totalboat water based polyurethane for wood is eco-friendly and it is ideal for marine.

Why We Like This:
  • This provides superior protection from sun damage, rainy weather, abrasion and scratches.
  • For a satin finish, use gloss for building coats and satin for the finishing coats.
  • Satin finish comes in clear only.