The TotalBoat Lust Marine Varnish is loved by boat owners who want to protect natural wooden elements and even fiberglass from the harsh elements of the sea and sun. 

This varnish is clear, and you can get it in matte or high gloss. It can be used on all exterior wooden items and it will offer good UV and waterproof protection.

The varnish is an oil-based product, but it does dry off surprisingly fast. You can apply a fresh coat every hour and there is no need for you to sand between coats. 

Specifications

If you hate the strong smell of paint and varnishes, then you should consider this water-based varnish by TotalBoat. Unlike the other varnishes, this one can be thinned and cleaned off with water. It doesn’t have the same toxic fumes or smells, but it still offers adequate protection once fully dried.

The varnish is available in amber or clear color and you can also get it in gloss or matte. With about 5 coats of this varnish, your wooden items should be protected against damaging UV rays and moisture and your furniture will even be scratch-resistant.

The product is also very easy to apply since drying time is less than an hour and the cleanup is easy since you can wash your brushes in soapy water. 

Specifications

This varnish by Old Masters is a great one to consider if you need something clear and high gloss. The varnish offers good protection from UV rays and it is even water or weather-resistant.

You can apply this varnish to any wooden or fiberglass surface and it should protect the piece for many years to come. The dry time of this varnish is a little bit longer but you also require fewer coats since 3 coats usually are sufficient.

The only downside is that you might need to sand your furniture pieces between layers of varnish to ensure that no dust particles settled while you were waiting for it to dry off properly. 

The varnish is oil-based and can be diluted with thinners if you want to apply more thin coats without the risk of bubbles forming in your surface. 

Specifications

Lots of people love the Pettit varnish brand because of its rich amber hue. This varnish is ideal for bringing back some life to furniture pieces that have lost their shine and color because the colored varnish will recreate that reddish-brown color for you.

The varnish is good for outdoor furniture pieces since it offers good UV protection. It isn’t quite as waterproof but should also protect against humidity quieted well.

This varnish is also oil-based which means it can be diluted with thinners. You should also use this varnish in a well-ventilated area since the fumes can be quite overwhelming. 

Specifications

If you are looking for a clear, high gloss varnish, you can also consider this varnish by Rust-Oleum. The varnish offers good protection from harsh UV rays, salt deposits and will even protect your furniture from mold and growths.

The oil-based varnish can be diluted with thinners if you prefer a thinner coat or if you want to reduce your drying time between coatings. At 2 hours, the drying time is a bit longer compared to other varnishes.

For efficient coverage, you will need to apply a minimum of 3 coats of varnish, and sanding your wooden surfaces between applications is recommended due to the longer dry time of this varnish. 

Specifications

Buying Guide

All of these varnishes are bound to give your furniture pieces a lot of protection from natural elements and humidity. If you have a tough time deciding on the very best one for your needs, this quick guide can help you decide:

The Best Water-Resistant Varnish

If your furniture pieces stand in the rain a lot or if you are varnishing the deck of a boat, then it is best to invest in a marine varnish that offers good water resistance. All of these varnishes do offer some degree of protection against moisture. 

We do, however, feel that the varnish by Rust-Oleum is a top pick when it comes to water resistance with the varnish by Old Masters at a close second-best option to consider. 

The Best Mildew-Resistant Varnish

If you want to protect your wooden items from icky mildew and mold growth, you should consider the Rust-Oleum marine varnish. But all of the varnishes reviewed above should offer a decent amount of mildew protection since all of these varnishes protect against water absorption. 

The Best Water-Based Varnish

If you cannot stand the smell of thinners or strong varnishes, look into the varnish by TotalBoat Halcyon Clear. 

This varnish is water-based and can be thinned with water. You can also clean up messes and spills with water or you can wash brushes in soap and water to get them clean. Water-based varnishes don’t have that same toxic smell either. 

The Best Clear Varnish

To preserve the natural colors of wooden furniture, you should invest in a clear varnish. We recommend the TotalBoat varnishes, Rust-Oleum varnish, or the varnish by Old Masters since these are all clear. 

The Best Colored Varnish

If your wooden items seem a bit dull and faded, consider the Pettit varnish with its rich amber color. This varnish is ideal for brightening up your wood a little bit with its amber hue. 

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has helped you find a good-quality marine varnish that will keep wooden items such as furniture, boats, and patio structures in great condition for many years to come. 

And if you are on the market for other woodworking equipment and tools, such as the best woodworking books, the best beginner table saw, or the best CNC machines, then you should hop over to some of our other guides. We cover all of the superior quality woodworking equipment and products that you need!