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

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Totalboat Gleam Gloss Varnish READ REVIEW

Best For Worth The Money: Buy: Minwax Clear Finish READ REVIEW

Best For Putting A Finish: Buy: Decoart Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Uv Protection: Buy: Totalboat Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Cabinet: Buy: Varathane Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Stained Wood: Buy: Minwax Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Weather Resistance: Buy: Rustoleum Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Creating An Invisible Protective Coating: Buy: Modern Masters Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best For Superior Durability: Buy: Rustoleum Floor Finish READ REVIEW

Best For Polymer Clay: Buy: Venus Creator Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Totalboat Gleam Gloss Varnish

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We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in water. The Totalboat Gleam Gloss Varnish is exactly that - it's a simple water that hits all the right notes. The totalboat gleam gloss varnish is easy to apply, and creates a radiant, durable finish. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, the water is great for low humidity and it flies quickly.

The varnish is great for high quality, feels like glass and it works well. In addition, this is the ideal outdoor wood sealer and waterproof finish on brightwork on boats, strip canoes, kayaks and outdoor wooden bar tops, garage doors, furniture and etc. Finally, the totalboat gleam gloss varnish provides protection on exterior surfaces, too.

Almost all buyers opine that the varnish is great for tipping and levels perfectly. And, they strongly agree that the water has an amber tint that darkens the overall look. Moreover, they say that the water has lasted three years without wear. To sum up, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the water suits the purpose.

• Self-leveling varnish dries fast—recoat in as little as 1 hour at 72°f.
• This is a super water-resistant varnish, which is completely different.
• This is available in gloss or satin (low-sheen), in pint, quart and gallon sizes.
• This varnish dries much faster in warm weather, especially after thinning 10.

Best For Worth The Money: Minwax Clear Finish

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We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in a convenient and appropriate water. The Minwax Clear Finish is exactly that - it's a simple water that hits all the right notes. The minwax clear finish protects even hard to reach spaces and adds beauty to interior wood projects. After final coat, allow 1 hour before light handling and 24 hours before normal use. This crystal clear protective finish protects and adds beauty to woodwork, furniture, and more.

Above all, the minwax clear finish is used for good coverage, it feels shinny and it has protected wood surfaces.

Most customers found that the water looks nice and is more or less smooth, but it's not the best. Moreover, they strongly agree that the varnish is used to seal art projects. And, they strongly agree that the water is perfectly clear, is not shiny and feels nice. In short, many customers have used the minwax clear finish for more than a few months without any issues, and it shows no sign of giving up.

• It is great to find a water-based spray protector.
• This has a nice shine, dried hard and it is good for relatively low fumes.
• It is odorless and it went on easily.
• Spray using an even, sweeping motion with slightly overlapping strokes.

Best For Putting A Finish: Decoart Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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Decoart offers a variety of water for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. The Decoart Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood is great for flat surfaces, is food safe and it makes a nice. look look. Decoart prep/finish americana dura clear varnish high gloss 8oz. Moreover, it dries pretty quickly, drys fast and it should be caution. Most importantly, the decoart water based varnish for painted wood is very shiny and very evenly.

Almost all customers found that the varnish takes longer to dry but the glossy shine is amazing. In addition, a few also found that the water is good to see the supply and demand has caught up. Moreover, they also found that the varnish is fine in the rain and sun. In conclusion, for most buyers, Decoart product was the most suitable.

• This is best for rock art.
• This works well and then apply another coat.
• This has almost no scent.
• This is easy to use and the results are awesome.

Best For Uv Protection: Totalboat Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory varnish, Totalboat Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood is your end point. The totalboat water based varnish for painted wood provides great protection and it is odorless. Halcyon clear cures to a gloss or satin finish with a natural tone that won't discolor lighter woods or muddy the grain of darker woods. 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.

The water is made with great stuff, is very smooth and it is abrasion resistant. And, it comes in clear or amber colors. Most importantly, the totalboat water based varnish for painted wood is not available in a 4 quart kit.

Almost all customers opine that the water is no sanding between coats for wood purpose only. Also, a few strongly agree that the varnish will work well on carbon fiber. And, a few say that the water can be used on hard wood and should be used with wood sealer.not sure if MDF qualifies. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best water for daily purposes.

• This is suitable for direct sunlight, has excellent adhesion and it is designed for exterior use.
• This is fade, is best for high quality and it makes it easy.
• This is used clean, very evenly and it goes on milky.
• This is a great option for finishing shop-built projects.

Best For Cabinet: Varathane Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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Varathane offers a variety of varnishs for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. The Varathane Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood is water soluble, does the job and it does the trick. Crystal clear finish that never yellows. Further, it is ceramic, is very dry and it is laminate.

Finally, the varathane water based varnish for painted wood is probably not typical, is great for acrylic paintings and it looks amazing.

Most buyers agree that the varnish is interior, which means it will show water stains unless wiped away pretty quickly. In addition, a few say that the water has no color when it dries. And, a few say that the water definitely looks good to add to that works with polymer clay.

• Ultra fast drying and easy soap and water clean up saves time and hassle.
• This looks quite nice on the baby's dresser.
• It’s goes on slightly milky but dries to a clear satin finish.
• This will not yellow since it is water based.

Best For Stained Wood: Minwax Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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Next on the list, we've got yet another varnish that manages to win our hearts. It's the Minwax Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood and it's widely considered as the varnish that has the most suitable features. The minwax water based varnish forpainted wood is odorless, protects well and it goes on clean. Minwax wipe-on poly is easily applied with a cloth, without any drips or brush marks. 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 excellent for shelves, drys very fast and it looks great. And, the water 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. Most importantly, the minwax waterbased varnishfor paintedwood is the benefit of using minwax wipe-on poly versus a traditional polyurethane.

Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the varnish can be used on table and it's not slick at all. In addition, a few strongly agree that the water is bare wood, no reason to think it would not work. And, a few strongly agree that this is for fine finishes where you wipe on thinly and build up thickness.

• This is as good as the regular poly.
• This will look more even if stained first.
• This is designed to eliminate brush applications.
• This provides a durable layer of topcoat protection but it is thinner than regular polyurethanes.

Best For Weather Resistance: Rustoleum Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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Not everyone likes to purchase water for their daily usage, but the Rustoleum Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood would be an anomoly. The rustoleum water basedvarnish for painted wood protects outdoor wood surfaces such as furniture, fences, boats, trim and more. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Also, it can settle for semi-gloss and it is made for great coverage.

Finally, the rustoleum water based varnish for painted wood provides a classic and natural look.

Almost all customers opine that the water protects against UV rays and also is used to seal the gasket on. Also, they also found that the water is well shaken (three minutes or more) and it is applied properly, This stuff works great. To sum up, most buyers found the varnish is functionally comfortable and no one questions it.

• It is easy to apply thin, nearly invisible coats.
• This is good for much other than a base coat that is clear.
• This allows application on hard to reach areas such as indents or holes.
• This goes on nice and it is used for outdoor use.

Best For Creating An Invisible Protective Coating: Modern Masters Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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The modern master waterbased varnish forpainted wood's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The modern master water based varnishfor paintedwood is perfect for low humidity and it is great for easy clean-up. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, it gives a nice, look, works perfectly and it offers $1 for good reviews.

Most importantly, the modern master water basedvarnish for painted wood can settle for semi-gloss, dried clear and it has excellent results.

Almost all customers quickly discovered that the varnish is used to stick paper to wood & give it another protective coat. Moreover, they also found that the varnish is not to be used over oil-based finishes. Further, they strongly agree that this is a great varnish for any artist to have in their collection of final finishes. Consequently, buyers were very happy to recommend it to friends and would-be buyers.

• This can spray with beautiful results, is abrasion resistant and it dries completely clear.
• This will create an even coating.
• This will look milky going on, but dries crystal clear.
• This is perfectly over Annie Sloan chalk paint in old white.

Best For Superior Durability: Rustoleum Floor Finish

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The Rustoleum Floor Finish has killer features for the price point. The rustoleum floor finish looks better and it is made with household chemicals. Highest solids of any water-based floor finish. Moreover, it dries very quickly, is very smooth and it has no odor.

The varnish is gallon sg wb flr finish. Also, it has dried in two coats, it has used foam brushes and has an elegant design. Above all, the rustoleum floor finish is cleaned up with simple soap and it allows for easy cleanup.

Most buyers agree that the varnish is easy to apply with a large paintbrush, dries in one hour with almost no odor. Also, they say that the varnish is easy to clean the brush like new with soap and water. Also, a few strongly agree that the first coat is the most difficult as it is quickly absorbed into the thirsty wood.

• It is manufactured in the United States.
• This can be used on family room floors.
• This has superior durability, abrasion resistance and scuff resistance.
• I want a water-based finish for hardwood floors.

Best For Polymer Clay: Venus Creator Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood

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Compared with other water in this category, the Venus creator water - based varnish for painted wood has a convenient design. The Venus Creator Water Based Varnish For Painted Wood is long-lasting and durable protection for wood, fabric and paper, One layer of varnish is enough to keep the surface hard and strong. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. The water - based varnish made with polyurethane, provides a gloss finish the coating. It is ideal for furniture, wall paneling, doors, cabinets, consoles, display storage and wood interiors and all the other products made of wood, fabric and paper.

Lastly, the venus creator water based varnish for painted wood is scratch resistant, is coated with wind proof and it has no odor.

Most customers opine that the water comes in a container with a replaceable plastic seal under the screw on cap. In addition, a few also found that the water can be used on the hull of ship model San Francisco cross section.

• This makes a thick coat on the surface to make an intact finish.
• Excellent abrasion and scratch resistant. Small scratch auto self recovery and repair.
• The application of venus creator varnish stays glossy, shiny.
• For wood, fabric and paper, the varnish provides its appearance like its new.