8 Best Polyurethane Finishes for Wood For Your Project

Unlike lacquer, shellac and varnish, which have been around for centuries, polyurethane is a product of 20th-century lab technology. In some ways, polyurethane is better than traditional film coating. It’s a curing finish instead of a drying finish, like lacquer. The process is irreversible, so the best polyurethane finish has excellent chemical and moisture resistance. It’s an ideal finish for projects that need strong protection such as floors, tabletops and outdoor furniture.
“The pros are that it’s tough, resistant to water and chemicals and available in various finishes (gloss, satin, matte),” says Jeff Palla, president of Mr. Handyman. “However, polyurethane finishes can be challenging to apply without streaks or bubbles and may require multiple coats for desired protection.”
Polyurethane comes in solvent and water-based formulations. Water-based formulations dry more quickly, release fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and make cleanup easier, so they’re more popular.
That doesn’t mean you should always opt for a water-based product, however. Solvent-based formulations have characteristics that water-based products can’t duplicate. Nor is polyurethane always a suitable substitute for lacquer or shellac, which can be layered and buffed to give an ultra-smooth protective coating with a more natural appearance.
A polyurethane finish is suitable for all but the highest quality interior furniture and woodwork, and it’s probably the No. 1 clear finish for exterior woodwork. Modern exterior formulations closely resemble traditional varnishes that include sun-blocking resins to protect wood from UV deterioration.
There are many good products for interior woodwork, but we like the price of Minwax One-Coat Polyurethane. It comes in quart cans and in three sheens: full-gloss, satin and semi-gloss.
Milky in the can, this product dries to a crystal-clear finish that hardens in about two hours. It cleans up with soap and water and produces few VOCs. A single coat covers as well as three coats of a comparable product, but you’ll still probably want to apply at least two coats so you can sand in between.

Via Merchant
Best Solvent-Based Interior Polyurethane
Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane
A solvent-based (also known as oil-based) polyurethane like Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane dries more slowly than a water-based formulation. The extra time allows for smoother leveling and a better quality finish.
This product gives the wood a rich, amber hue, reminiscent of old-style alkyd varnish. Great for bar tops, table tops and wood stairways, it’s ready to recoat in only four to six hours. It cleans up with mineral spirits.
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