What is the difference between varnish and poly

It is also quick to remove once you desire another finish. It is a clear coating with a glossy and hard finish. Lacquer offers exceptional substrate protection. It resists damages but prone to scratches and discoloration. Because it is thin, its application is made using a sprayer. Made from a combination of a solvent and female lac bug secretion, it adds warm color and a protective finish to the wood. While it is generally durable, chemicals and heat cause damage, such as the appearance of white rings.

You can use varnish for both indoor and outdoor uses. It is a combination of oils, resins, and solvents. Because it is also thinner, you should apply multiple layers. On the other hand, polyurethane, a more durable and expensive option, can be water or oil-based, used mostly for indoor applications.

If you are looking for exceptional wood finishes, varnish and polyurethane are some of the best options. The table below quickly summarizes the key differences between the two. Start by considering the specific part of the boat you would like to finish. For instance, if you are working on kitchen cabinets and hardwood floors, polyurethane is better. On the other hand, if you are coating a deck or outdoor tables, choose varnish.

It is not enough that you have a high-quality varnish or polyurethane. It is more important that you know the proper application techniques from sanding to maintaining consistent strokes, learn how to finish wood like a pro for the best results.

Skip to content Post category: Maintenance and Boating Post author: Dallas Hopkins Varnish and polyurethane are two popular finishes for wooden boats, furniture, and decks. Varnish vs Polyurethane From the ease of application to toxicity, polyurethane and varnish are different in many ways. Composition Polyurethane is a liquid coating with an oil or water-based formula. Durability Wood wears out over time due to exposure to the sun, sea, and other external elements.

Uses Polyurethane and varnish also differ in terms of their uses. Safety For a safer coating material, choose varnish. Drying Time If you want the finish to dry quickly, choose water-based polyurethane. Application Both varnish and polyurethane are easy to apply, which you can do without paying a pro. Cost Not everyone coating wooden parts of their boat will have the luxury of financial resources.

This can be with a spray system. Or with aerosol cans. Brushing lacquer is available also. Note: brushing lacquer sprays on perfectly well! But, spray lacquer dries too fast to be brushed on.

There are drawbacks to lacquer however. Lacquer can discolor over a long time. Lacquer has a high VOC volatile organic compound content, which makes it dangerous to use without a respirator that has an organic vapor cartridge. A dust mask will not protect you from the vapors of lacquer. It can be bought in all finishes, from matte to gloss. And, it can be sprayed on, brushed on, or even wiped on. The wipe on is usually a thinner mix to allow for better leveling. If the Poly, is brushed on, a natural bristle brush is best to avoid bubbles that could form from a foam brush.

Polyurethane can come in two major forms. It can be oil based or it can be waterborne. The waterborne version of polyurethane is newer and has some advantages. Waterborne polyurethane is made by combining microscopic particles of polyurethane small enough to maintain a colloidal suspension with water. It would be wrong to call this polyurethane water-based. It is just that this is carried by the water to make it easier in a number of ways.

Waterborne polyurethane dries very quickly because as the water evaporates the microscopic particles of polyurethane are able to cure very fast. Oil based Polyurethane has a slow dry time, usually about a day. It cures by a chemical reaction. The oil based poly gives a beautiful warm glow to the wood. Waterborne poly has a quick dry time of about 2 hours.

One of the primary advantages of varnish other than its flexibility is its natural resistance to UV rays, making it last longer in areas of sun exposure. Some people prefer the rich color tone that dark varnish can give to wood. Oil-based polyurethane is fairly toxic and susceptible to cracking with shock or movement. Although UV protection is now being added to some polyurethanes, its still considered less effective against sun damage than varnish.

Varnish is less forgiving in the application process, and if not done correctly, will be prone to peeling, cracking, bubbling, or not even fully drying.

Once any of these problems happen with the varnish, the wood will be more exposed to the harm of water damage. Varnish is thinner than polyurethane, and requires the the application of more layers, and these layers take a long time to dry, leaving the project vulnerable to the elements.

Polyurethane is more commonly used around many household projects, including on wood floors , smooth furniture like desks and bookshelves, and even on outdoor decks now that UV protection has improved.

Water-based polyurethane is usually the better choice for amateurs which to tackle projects on their own. It is also more suitable for use on softwoods like pine, that are likely to flex under tough conditions. Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:.

Diffen LLC, n. The more the water content, the thinner the polyurethane will become, and you will have to apply more coats for a fine finish. Regarding oil-based polyurethane, you can apply it using similar methods, but keep in mind that your work area should be well-ventilated until the coating has dried.

Using a respirator is also mandatory to protect yourself from volatile fumes. Ensure that you wear disposable gloves before you start handling the polyurethane finish. You can apply both types of polyurethane finish to latex or acrylic paint. You may get a yellow or amber tint if you use oil-based polyurethane, especially on light colors. Another good alternative available is polyurethane spray which comes in a spray can. You will find this very convenient for big projects and for performing touch-up jobs.

Varnish also adds to the luster of the wooden surface, enhancing its appearance. On curing, varnish forms a thin, glossy film on the wood with a yellowish or amber tint, just like with oil-based polyurethane.

You may not find varnish used so much on indoor surfaces the way we use polyurethane like on hardwood floors. We use water and oil in combination with plastic resins to make polyurethane. Varnish, however, contains mostly alkyd resins, oils and solvents. Varnish also offers higher resistance to ultraviolet UV radiation than polyurethane because of the high levels of solids that it contains. It is another reason why varnish is a suitable choice for finishing outdoor wooden surfaces.

With varnish, you get a sort of colored tint and consequently, you have to apply more coats on the surface of the wood than polyurethane.

Varnish contains a high solid content and has a fair degree of water resistance. Hence, you will find varnish to be suitable for finishing wooden surfaces of outdoor items like boats, deck chairs and picnic tables.

Varnish has low toxicity which makes it food-safe to use on wooden kitchenware like spoons, bowls and spatulas.