Rust-Oleum 250141H Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane Exterior Wood Varnish/Finish (Water-Based | Semi-Gloss Clear | 946 ML)

Using it for last 2 months..good finish, dries fast, semi gloss so needed few more coats than regular. Best for craft work. Would like to buy again at more competitive price.

Good

Not as good as expected for its very high cost. The color comes darker than that shown on the container. It may or may not protect the wood but it certainly spoiled the natural outer look of my teak doors and windows.

I did not get the product that is shown

Easy to use, brush or roller leaves bright clear and smooth finish.

Ok, this product became one of my favorite, but not for the original intended use. I wanted to clear coat some counter tops in my sailboat, and wanted some UV resistance because you know, it's a boat, in Florida. However, as a clear coat on a very light uniform plastic surface (doesn't absorb the product) it was impossible to get rid if very tiny, hard to see (but still there) brush strokes). Most of the time the brush strokes weren't visible, but depending on the light, they would appear and I didn't like that. HOWEVER: I then tried the product on wood, and there was not the slightest brush stroke. PERFECT. Also, I love that it is indeed crystal clear and doesn't alter the color of the wood. I ended up using it on my teak and holly sole inside the boat, despite the fact that it is not recommended for flooring, for several reasons: - it is VERY EASY to apply. - it dries INSANELY FAST, at least in Florida. I could re-coat every 5 minutes. - no sanding required - doesn't alter the color of the wood, but beautifully enhances the grain (like when the wood is wet). - seals the wood / waterproofs the wood - doesn't yellow the holly wood (originally white) like teak oil or varnish or other clear coat would. The result is fantastic, took me less than 1 hour for a 30 foot boat, and can be redone anytime easily and quickly if needed. So who cares if it doesn't last 10 years, it is cheap, fast, easy, looks great, and requires no maintenance, no sanding, no mess when re-applying in the future, while protecting my teak&holly sole well. I highly recommend this to any boater who doesn't want to spend a week on varnishing or coating the sole and wants an easy 100% guaranteed perfect result (no strokes, no bubbles, no issues, apply right off the can as you want with a foam brush you CANT GET IT WRONG. LOVE IT.

I've used other varathane finishes before that - in retrospect - really sucked compared to this! It dries to the touch SO fast, and within a couple of hours I can touch the object (in this case i'm clear-coating some corbels for outdoor use) and it doesn't feel soft or tacky at all! Other varathane clear coats I've used, it took months to stop feeling tacky/completely harden. I'm converted! Urethane is hands down superior to polyurethane! I love that it's water-based - the fumes aren't bad at all. Being a urethane it dries/cures super fast and is more flexible/reliable with extreme variations in temp. UV protection..what more could you ask for? I'm glad I went with the satin as opposed to gloss, as it's definitely a preferable finish for my needs. It's just ever so slightly glossy. It's a large can and I barely used any for my cobels, so I'll definitely be using this on a couple of small furniture pieces I was going to refinish!

Finally a product I can use outdoors that actually does what it says! I do a lot of birdhouses and Christmas decor for outdoors, and often use white paint. Others claim they do not yellow or discolor the paint, but this Varathane 250241H Ultimate water based actually works like it claims! I used it on a birdhouse and a fence peaked for outside that has a lot of white and it did not discolor at all. Also quick drying and got all three Coates on in one day😁 super happy and highly recommend!

Very easy to apply and looks great. Works really well on eastern red cedar because it keeps the natural wood grain without turning it dark like oil based versions do.