Spur urethane can be oil-based or water-based. They are also hard to apply well, especially if a WR-LPU and can often be too hard and brittle for some hardwoods, as Brian's experiences suggested. The biggest difference between a polyurethane and a spar is the spar is made more elastic to withstand the weather extremes of being outdoors. Contractors and consumers doing home repairs began using the product for other wood in and around the house, such as doors, … Spar urethane finish used to be termed "marine spar urethane" because it was used extensively on boats. Choose from gloss, semi-gloss or satin finishes, to beautify your interior and … They were flexed by the wind loads they supported, attacked by sea and bad weather, and also suffered from UV degradation from long-term exposure to sunlight. At half the cost of the Recommended one-part varnishes, Minwax slacked in the color retention department, but it has proven its multi-season durability. Shellac dries by the evaporation of it’s solvent. Spar Urethane vs Polyurethane. I would use a marine grade spar. Variants of spar urethane include spar varnish. The amount of oil in spar urethane makes it softer and more pliable compared to polyurethane which tends to be quite hard when dried. Spar varnish is often used on items that will be near or on the water, like a wood boat, decks, beach chairs, etc. Another major difference is in its composition. But you’re saying use exterior/marine spar varnish? Spar varnish was originally developed for coating the spars of sailing ships. RUST-OLEUM 207008 Spar Varnish, Clear, Polyurethane Rust-Oleum Marine Spar Varnish deserves mention as the best exterior polyurethane product due to its reputation as a reliable product. Should you want to stay with a spar varnish, any of the true spar varnishes (think boat store, names like Epifanes and others) you will be faced with the amber coloring that they have, and they get darker over time. Be sure to catch and even out any drips. Wondering why the knowledge of the two finishes matters? My favorite outdoor finish is actually a marine varnish known as Epifanes. They may contain linseed, rosewood, or tung oil, and an assortment of other ingredients. Let’s get started. Does exterior vs. marine matter? This varnish is meant to shield the wood from stain, water, solvent discoloration and heat. Spar varnish is an older formulation of varnish vs. Urethane Varnish is a modern formulation of a tough clear coating used primarily on wood surfaces exposed to outdoor conditions. Post by tiptop » 12/21/10 13:32. For a satin finish that has even better depth and clarity, Gleam 2.0 Marine Spar Varnish is also available in a Gloss & Satin 2-Quart Combo Kit that includes 1 quart of Gleam 2.0 Gloss Varnish and 1 quart of Gleam 2.0 Satin Varnish. From a technical stand point there's a huge difference between marine spar urethane and spar varnish. If by chance you mean box store spar urethane, I’d use whatever is next on your list. A spar varnish is also made to be water-resistant, since exposure to moisture will cause wood to rot over time. In addition to protecting the wood, it also provides natural ultraviolet light protection. Do you have a brand that you know works well that you’d suggest? Why Choose the Right One Between Spar Urethane and Polyurethane? Some are for indoor use, such as wardrobes, coffee tables, and beds. It is more difficult to fix and repair the urethanes, but not impossible, especially if you have a regular maintenance routine. These formed part of the masts and rigging, so suffered a hard life in service. I especially like the wipe on type. Varnishes made for outdoor use must have a certain degree of flexibility, or the finish will crack. A variety of time-tested protective treatments in a variety of sizes to suit any project shutters, wood hand.. Store Pickup at your neighborhood Ace make the best Marine coatings IMO and experience expensive mahogany,,! I'm finishing out a fiberglass rod and want to use varnish on the wraps instead of epoxy and am finding that spar varnish isn't being carried by local hardware stores anymore -- even Ace. The spar urethane application was perfect for boat use because it makes wood waterproof while providing a finish that is both durable and perfectly clear. Urethanes are harder, glossier and more durable, especially if a true LPU. 3599 posts in 3426 days #4 posted 11-18-2014 07:54 PM . Spar urethane is better at repelling water and non-yellowing. I use System Three Spar Urethane varnish, it is pricy but works great. Non-Urethane Spar ( Marine ) Varnish is a two-component, post-catalyzed urethane topcoat for use outdoors is McCloskey® Man Spar! Use quick, up-and-down strokes when applying. The 2-part epoxy would certainly give you a good amount of protection on that bar top. home | projects | blog. Take the brush and dip only the tip into the mixture. However, spur urethane takes things a step further as it is designed to be water-resistant. Spar varnish is superior to spar urethane in UV protection. Spar varnish is perfect for outdoor projects and for raw wood used for exterior doors and trim on rustic homes. Anything “urethane” isn’t going to do well in the UV rays outside. Have tried Helmsman, Zar and Rustolium brand exterior, UV protected varnishes to save some money, but went back to the System Three. Always spot test on a hidden area to ensure satisfactory results. It consists of a hard resin and solvent-based solution that provides a thin plastic-like barrier across whatever surface it is applied to. Such oil is mixed with solvents, driers, ultraviolet protector and resins in order to form a glossy surface. Some varnish doesn’t work well with epoxy, if the can says cures in 4 hours and it’s still tacky in 4 days, they aren’t liking each other. Powder coating is a durable final finish for a broad range of manufactured items made of fiberglass including boats and sports equipment. It's the go-to material for any exterior woodwork that needs a clear finish, but because its high resin content gives it a yellowish hue, it isn't the best choice for interior furniture. Spar varnish is a wood finishing varnish. Sounds like there are also some better products out there than the Helmsman spar urethane. Exterior finishes give protection for required maintenance due to moisture, heat, expansion, contraction and ultraviolet light. Then start applying the mixture over your wood, slowly and gently. One hardware store varnish has surprisingly held its own over the long haul: Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. And then it can be used as a finish. 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