(just the top of it) Is that ok? Thank you so much for sharing! These old wood drawers were worn and cloudy but adding a clear coat really brightened up the natural color of the wood grain. Each group consists of hundreds of professional furniture painters. While sealing wax can waterproof a surface, there is a definite learning curve with applying wax properly. Thank you, Hi there, so sorry to hear that about your chest! Especially if you have young kids, your tabletop, desk, or other small projects can be easily ruined with an accidental scratch or water damage from a drinking glass left on it for too long not to mention spills! Clear liquid oils made from natural chemicals arent as effective as other clear sealers but there are still several winners on the list with low VOCs. Also, you dont want to worry about the color rubbing off on clothing. Sometimes when you sand, it can leave scratch marks on the top layer of paint so Ive found its best not to sand between coats. I put a few drops of 7th generation dish soap (from Target) with water in a spray bottle and thats my cleaner for furniture I have painted. Although they are a popular option for furniture, spray clear coats are generally a bad idea as they are notorious for leaving stripes on your furniture piece. Giving the surface a longer dry time will ensure even better results for the final finish. Hi there, great article but now Im lost with many different tabs up one which product to choose. Someone asked me how to refinish a piece of furniture that had been clear coated with an oil-based polyurethane. Minwaxs Water-based Polycrylic Top Coat is a commonly used clear coat for furniture refinishing. Water-based clear coats are easy to clean up, are low odor and the finish is much less likely to change over time. I cant imagine having a tabletop without a clear coat for easy clean-up after means. But if you have a white-painted furniture piece, you can see how yellowing would be problematic! Based on your experience, I changed the review above but I know that isnt a big help to you. Im feeling like a broken record again but I love how Varathanes Waterbased Polyurethane brings out the details of wood grain without making raw wood too dark. My husband has been redoing some of our antique furniture using Fusion Paint. The very ingredient that gives chalk and milk paints their velvety look and powdery feel works against them in the durability department. This even goes for latex-painted furniture pieces. Any hard furniture that gets a decent amount of regular use needs protection. I hope this help! In my post on How To Stencil on Wood Without Bleeding, I used the Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane and had excellent results! Unlike latex-painted or stained projects, chalk-painted furniture needs a protective finish unless you know a drinking glass will never be set on it. We did a blind test on 8 of the most popular choices of clear coats for furniture. If you have a really high-gloss surface, wipe it down with a Magic Eraser Scrubber or paper bag. (Click here for more reviews on the best sealer for chalk paint). Click here for the current price. The best outdoor sealers have always been oil-based but fortunately, water-based outdoor sealants have come a long way lately. Clear coats can work on several paint options including mineral paints, media paints, decorative paints, chalk paint and latex. So glad you tested the top coats , it helped me make my choice !! Milk Paint Vs. Chalk Paint Vs. Latex: Whats the Best Type of Paint for Your Project? This blog is about transformation. For the table top, I am staining dark brown. There were also no brush strokes in the finish! Thank you! How to Fix Damaged Wood: Caulk, Wood Filler, or Epoxy? The password is transformation please copy and paste that in at the link above. Hey Margaret! Blessings, Karin. We have a matching dining table, Buffett and China hutch that he refinished 40 years ago. Also, you can use it as a chal paint sealer spray. Let me know if you have any other questions. What is the best advice you can give for a beautiful new finish? The finish and feel of this chalk paint clear coat are very reminiscent of wax without the cost and hassle. Remember, you are not sanding to remove the surface you are just barely roughing up the surface to accept primer or paint (How to Stand Furniture in 5 Minutes). Related: The Best Paint for Furniture (24 Brands Blind-Tested & Reviewed). I am looking for a super inexpensive solution that looks nice and that I can do myself. You have thoroughly nailed it on sooo many questions I have for painting my table , chairs , and hutch .. The official name is Varathane Water-based Polyurethane. Let me know if I can answer any other questions Lou! Join me as I give you my best DIY tips and home decor hacks while sharing some faith-filled encouragement along the way. Hey Lou, Thank you for your comment? (You can also use a foam roller.). Let me know if you have any other questions! If you are wondering what clear coat to put on latex-painted cabinets, I would consider going without one. ): Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane in Matte This is also an amazing clear sealant for chalk-painted furniture! There are so many options when it comes to clear coats. The best sealer for chalk paint is General Finishes Top Coat which does an outstanding job of preserving the look, feel, and color of chalk paint. To my surprise, Varathanes Water-Based Top Coat was also the best affordable option for furniture. Several reviews said that the topcoat looks milky and opaque when applied but that it because completely clear once it dried. Interior sealants dont have UV protection but it is a must for outdoor furniture. It goes on easily with no streaks or brush strokes and it will never yellow, making it perfect for white and light-painted pieces if you are concerned about that. Would you varnish an armoire-turned-coffee-bar on the surfaces that would only be used frequently? Also, for max protection, use 3 coats of clear coat. How do you seal chalk paint without having to use wax? I get that question a lot. But fortunately, if you apply a clear coat, your flawless finish will be preserved and protected for years to come! You can see how I used Varathanes Water-Based Polyurethane on the coffee table we built over the faux wood stain: DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table with Turned Legs. Several furniture painters have trouble with polycrylic streaking or forming stripes on the surface. Hope this helps! If you want to use an oil-based polyurethane, Varathanes had the best results by far click here for the current price. Many reviewers have used it in a paint sprayer with no problem and have even used it without sanding between coats. This General Finishes Top Coat provides maximum durability and is very waterproof. We love that it has a very consistent, velvety matte finish that had no streaks or bubbles. (As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT PRICE & REVIEWS, Since writing this post, Varathanes Waterbased Polyurethane came in a satin sheen but not in a flat/matte finish. So sorry again that this happened. In other words, work in a smaller section at a time, and dont go over the previous section with your brush once you are done. Some are just better options for others but water-based and oil-based polyurethane can go over chalk paint just like latex paint. It will also allow you to scrub furniture without ruining the paint finish. Although wax can be used to increase chalk paints durability, it requires frequent reapplication so you will have to reapply a coat of wax every six months or so for full protection. Dont allow your project to be ruined by using the wrong sealer! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CURRENT PRICE FOR THE BEST CLEAR COAT FOR PAINTED WOOD FURNITURE. I am looking to solve the problem of our bare/raw wood steps that we uncovered when we removed the carpet. On most wood items, you can use a decoupage medium like mod podge on wood crafts or home decor items like coasters or wooden trays. Download your FREE step-by-step printable checklist that shows you the exact process Ive used on dozens of furniture pieces while saving you time and money! The top coat makes the surface harder and therefore more durable. I had purchased the varythane top coat. Both the General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat and Varathanes Water-based Polyurethane had absolutely no drinking glass rings. All seven topcoats are good products but I found our top three clear coats all performed with better results than Polycrylic in terms of durability and water permeability. One reviewer complained about slight yellowing on a white piece of furniture but thats actually a plus for stained furniture as it warms up the tone slightly making it the best clear coat for wood. I love that this sealer has almost no odor making it perfect to use indoors when refinishing furniture projects making it a great chalk paint clear coat (Click here for more reviews on the best sealer for chalk paint). Enter myfree resource libraryfor my latest files, printables, and templates! For any other color, just make sure the topcoat sheen matches the sheen of the latex. BUT, the same properties that help paint adhere to things make them horrible at protecting the woods surface. One reviewer found that when they brushed it on there were several bubbles in the finish but those bubbles popped during the drying time to leave a smooth coat with no brush marks! Choosing the Right Clear Coat for Painted Wood. Also, the wax and special bush are another cost consideration when picking the best chalk paint clear coat. Especially on projects using new wood, the wood color can look pretty muted but added even a single coat of sealer can give you a little bit more contrast to better see the natural grain of the wood. This chest will be heavily used by children and need the ultimate protection. Use a lint-free cloth to remove any dust on the surface of the wood. One common concern for a kitchen table is the clear coats ability to protect against condensation from glasses and this top coat performed best! The more gloss a surface has the more it will show imperfections in the surface so a matte sheen is much more forgiving than a semi-gloss. Hey Rachel! I would use the Water-based Varathane Polyurethane on both. Does the Topcoat resist moisture comparable to the polyurethane? I told him I think it needs some kind of a topcoat as although the coverage looks really good I just dont care for the overall finish. It also comes in a satin and matte finish so you get the same sheen as furniture wax. Just be sure to not shake the can (only stir) to reduce air bubbles. If not enough wax is not properly buffed onto the surface, it can be easily penetrated with water and the surface will be ruined if a cold drink is left on the surface. Hi, thanks for guidance. You will read that Mineral Spirits will remove it but I have not found that to be the case. For stained finishes, I recommend sanding with a paper bag so you dont mar or scratch the stained finish. Also, this formula was the best performing water-based clear coat when it came to water rings as no ring was left after 24 hours. I used an inexpensive foam brush to apply the protective finish. These are natural top coat alternatives to poly topcoats but I wanted to test products that are not only protective against damage but water infiltration. Ive tested 8 of the most popular topcoats and compared reviews to find the best protective finish for your next furniture project and also the easiest chalk paint sealer and wax alternative! Karin. However, General Finishs High-Performance Top Coat in Flat Finish (click here for the current price) was picked as the best chalk paint topcoat and sealer because it preserves the look, feel and color while increasing the durability of milk paint and chalk paint even with one coat. Not only can you pick from any sheen (flat, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy finish) but there are oil-based clear coats and water-based. (The Best Sealer for Chalk Paint if you want a lower-cost version(and who doesnt! What is your recommendation for cleaning those pieces? Some wood sealants might be harder but can also leave a yellow haze on white pieces. It also never leaves watermarks. For that reason, chalk paint always needs some sort of sealant on top. Application is easy and its a once-for-all protective finish that is much more budget-friendly than wax. I found these by going to 4 different Facebook furniture groups I am part of. Top Coat over white. I guess my most important question is can I use the water based products over the finish after lightly sanding out the wear marks? Hi, Love the article, LOTS of great information that I need since Im working on a project that is taking me into way deeper into the world of paint and coatings than I ever imagined. Minwax polycrylic sealer is a popular choice as a water-based version of polyurethane and one of the topcoats we tested. But honestly, over the years, I have gotten lazy and just clean them with whatever I was using on the countertops and havent had any issues. Please see my full disclosure HERE). Exterior wood surfaces are obviously exposed to hard conditions such as rain, humidity, and high temperatures. After sanding lightly, all three top clear coats would be a great choice for stained furniture. After a couple of years of using Varathanes Waterbased Polyurethane on several furniture projects including my dining room table, coffee table, and breakfast table, Ive been really impressed with the long-term results. Then, it can be hard to get a consistent finish, not to mention the wax and the brush are expensive. Karin, I totally enjoyed finding your blog while google searching what to do about my table. I have done it on a side table that had tons of TINY scratches and the Varathane Waterbased Poly made it look like a whole new table. I love how in depth your articles are. I love that it seals acrylic paint just as well as it seals chalk paint or latex. If you have a dark-stained piece of furniture, this wont be detectable and can even warm up the color of the wood slightly over time. I usually add a third coat and let it dry 24 hours after that. I hope this helps! There are other great topcoat options like tung oil and linseed oil. Wow, thats really good information. Heres a little about the pros and cons of each: It used to be that all clear polyurethanes were oil-based but now you are seeing several polyurethanes that are water-based and just as durable! Depending on the finish, sometimes the only solution is to completely refinish the whole surface. Sometimes you want to seal bare wood to preserve the look of the natural wood but also to provide it with a protective finish. I was the one who found Fusion Paint and he said he would try it. Any thoughts? If your chalk-painted piece will not come into contact with any spills, or drinking glasses and you arent worried about the finish rubbing off on your hands, you dont have to seal it. What is the best cover I should use on the base so it protects, doesnt yellow, and is not shiny like the top would be? In the same way, a topcoat (or clear coat) acts as an insurance policy against the potential damage caused by the daily use of everyday life. So I painted a piece of furniture(night stand for bedroom set) I wanted to top coat it with a chalk paint top coat. Trying to find the answer, but nowhere to be found. Any traditional sealer that you can brush on a foam brush takes a lot less time and skill than waxing. Good luck with your furniture painting project and Id love to answer any questions you have in the comment section below. See the best chalk paint topcoat here. When you sand it seems to push into the wood. Furniture wax can be a beast. Perhaps you are familiar with using wax as a protective coating on chalk paint but did you know you can more easily apply a top coat and your surface will be better protected from water? Karin, Your email address will not be published. Also, oil-based clear coats require cleaning your brushes with mineral spirits. I like how well it has protected the door from fading in its full sun exposure. Blessings, Karin. They did turn out lovely. Hi Karen! Please note that some of this sites links are affiliate links, and RenovatedFaith.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We did not do a topcoat over the painted areas. Thats why selecting the right clear coat for your painted wood furniture is so important. Hi Marla, The Varathane Waterbased Poly is the best way to go and you can pick from different sheen colors. But you can give any furniture piece the same sheen with a coat of clear coat. If you have, you know how incredibly frustrating that can be. Im doing only a couple pieces at a time, as I cant paint all pieces at once. UPDATE: Since writing this post, Varathane has come out with a water-based wood paint sealer spray. I have applied it on 5 high-use pieces of painted furniture and they all look as good as the first day I applied the clear coat. Not only is there a learning curve but it is time-consuming to apply the wax. If you want a quality finish you need to do the prep. You can go from a gloss to matte in just one coat of a seal coat in matte or satin without repainting your furniture piece. If you use a good paint made for cabinets, it should be durable and water-resistant enough without the trouble of a topcoat. Use an inexpensive foam brush (like this) and brush in one direction for each coat. Varathane states it has the best scratch and stain resistance available and based on our findings, I believe them! The back of the can might say to sand between coats with a high grit sandpaper. The base is white using chalk paint. When you are finished with your first thin coat over the entire surface, dont touch it and let it dry according to the directions on the can. The satin varnish is very nice and not too glossy! I have a question: What do you think about painting indoor wood steps (our staircase) in black chalkpaint and then using polycrylic (maybe satin finish) as a sealer? Traditionally, oil-based polyurethanes were the main clear coats used on furniture but now more water-based formulas are on the market. Over time, those fingerprints and smudges will make your piece look dingy and not in a rustic farmhouse way. You can pick between transparent, semi-solid (semi-transparent) stains, and solid stains so that you can cover up any blemishes in the wood while still having some of the wood grain show through. I am going to ask Crystalac about this. One reviewer said she used it as a clear coat on white-painted wood salad bowls and after ten years, there was no yellowing. Be sure to wait between 24-72 hours before applying a sealant to chalk-painted furniture pieces. The best outdoor sealers not only hold up to environmental conditions but also provide the best protection against the UV rays of the sun. Instead, it wipes cleanly and easily from the topcoat! *. This will give your piece maximum hardness and durability. Others left a very faint ring but these two were definitely the most impermeable to water. So if your table isnt super glossy, you can put the water-based poly over it without any sanding. Sheen refers to the amount of shine on a piece of furniture ranging from high gloss, gloss, semigloss, satin, and then matte for the least shine. I would personally just clear coat the surfaces that get used a lot. In your experience does the varathane water based polyurethane hold up to test to scratches on dark stain? Therefore, the surface can still be easily scratched as there is no protective finish for a typical stain. Outdoor paints are always a must to withstand extreme weather conditions but for extra protection on an outdoor surface, use a good exterior topcoat is helpful. I have had a bad experience with scratching the surface so I dont recommend sanding in between coats. Chalk paint is not known for its durability and it is not waterproof, so it needs some kind of coating to provide a harder surface and to seal in the paint. It doesnt give you quite as much time as its interior polyurethane version. Hi Karin, It dries really fast so do two quick coats on just the knot holes and then paint as normal. You can click here to see more reviews and the current price: Where to Buy Varathane Water-based Polyurethane. Its too dull and matte. I feel like Im second guessing everything. After finding out their favorite clear coats, I narrowed down their favorites to the top 8.
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