Best Spar Varnish of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide
Spar varnish is one of the best varnishes for outdoor wooden furniture and decorations. This varnish was originally developed as a coating for sail ships. The varnish was developed to resist harsh elements such as UV rays, wind, mineral exposure like salt, and even water!
With this type of coating, your outdoor furniture pieces will be protected from the harsh outdoor elements, so these items will stay beautiful even if you leave them out in the rain.
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Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The 5 Best Spar Varnish Brands to Buy Now
There are quite a few different varnish brands and product types on the market. In this guide, we are going to have a look at the best spar varnish options you can buy if you want to give your outdoor furniture the best possible protection.
1. System Three 1855S16 Clear Marina Spar Varnish
- Premium Varnish: Our marine varnish is a high-build coating designed for use as a marine epoxy and exterior wood varnish on surfaces like railings, doors or any surface where a clear, durable gloss...
- Features: Formulated to provide exceptional exterior durability for the most demanding environments, this spar varnish contains state-of-the-art UV absorbers designed to keep wood looking beautiful...
- Versatile Application: Use a high-quality, natural bristle varnish brush to apply the varnish to boats, outdoor furniture or doors
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a great spar varnish if you need something completely clear and not quite as shiny. The System Three spar varnish has a satin finish that does offer some shine but not too much to alter the look of your wood. The varnish also enhances the natural wood colors without changing the color or hue of your wooden items.
This varnish is ideal for coastal homes because it protects your wooden furniture from salty air and UV rays. You can also use this varnish on all above-water wood items, including decks and patios.
The varnish is oil-based and can be used as-is or thinned to a 1:1 ratio with thinners. Thinners are also required for cleaning your paint brushes after varnishing.
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- Ideal for use on exterior wood surfaces above the water line, including trim, railings and wood furniture
- Oil-based formula expands and contracts with changing weather conditions
- Dries to the touch in 2 hours and covers up to 150 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rust-Oleum is a very popular brand and they develop one of the best spar varnishes out there.
This varnish is completely clear, which means it won’t alter the hue of your natural wood. The varnish is also high gloss and will offer a beautiful shine once your furniture pieces have been treated.
The varnish is ideal for outdoor furniture because it is UV, salt, and mildew resistant. You can use it on all above-water surfaces including boat railings or wooden decks.
This varnish is oil-based and can be thinned with thinners if you like. It also offers a quick 2-hour dry time but at least 3 surfaces of varnish is recommended for adequate protection.
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- This product adds a great value
- Can be used on interior windowsills and door frames for added ultra violet protection
- UV absorbers for advanced sun protection
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you hate washing your paint brushes in thinners, then perhaps you should consider this spar varnish spray by Old Masters. This varnish cannot be used on large surfaces like decks or benches but it is ideal for areas like window stills or door frames.
The varnish is very easy to apply since you can just spray a thin coat on the surface and allow it to dry. Any overspray can be cleaned by using a soft cloth with some thinner.
The varnish will offer good UV protection but it isn’t resistant to too much moisture, which means you shouldn’t use it on boat surfaces.
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Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This varnish by Pettit is ideal for outdoor surfaces if you love a rich amber color for your furniture. The varnish is amber colored and will tint your furniture pieces slightly. It is also high gloss and will offer a beautiful glossy shine once properly coated.
The varnish will offer good UV protection but shouldn’t be used below the waterline or on surfaces that get a lot of moisture such as kitchen countertops. It is also oil-based so you can thin it with thinners to get a bubble-free coating.
The varnish is ideal for protecting your outdoor furniture pieces such as outdoor lounges or lamps so these will continue to look good for many years to come.
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Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some people prefer to invest in smaller varnish cans because left-over varnish can start to dehydrate and become hard over time. The varnish of a freshly opened can is always in better quality compared to those who have been stored for a while.
This pint can is the smaller version of the bigger quart can. It contains the same high-quality gloss amber product but in a smaller can size.
The Pettit varnish offers good UV protection so your outdoor furniture won’t be damaged by harsh sun rays. It is also suitable for humid climates but you should preferably keep furniture with this type of coating away from too much water and humidity.
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Buying Guide
We are quite sure that any of these varnishes will give your outdoor wood furniture the best protection while enhancing the natural look of your wooden pieces. But if you are not quite sure about which varnish brand to get, this guide can help you decide!
The Best-Colored Varnish
If you prefer a varnish with a red or reddish-brown color, consider the varnish tins by Petit. These varnishes have a beautiful amber color that will enhance the natural look of your wooden surfaces while adding a slightly reddish sheen.
The Best Clear Varnish
If you prefer a clear varnish then you can consider the System Three, Rust-Oleum, or Old Masters brands. These are all clear varnishes that will enhance the natural look of your wooden items without altering the color in any way.
Spray Varnish
Some prefer spray varnishes because you don’t need a brush for application. If that is the case, then you should consider the can of Old Masters Spar varnish we included on our list. This varnish isn’t suitable for all surfaces, such as decks, but it is ideal for treating your window sills, door frames, and other areas.
The Best for Coastal Homes
If you live near the coast, you should consider a varnish that offers good protection against salt and mildew. The System Three varnish is superb since it offers good UV and salt air protection. Rust-Oleums varnish is also a good pick since this one offers good UV, salt, and mildew protection.
Applying Varnish
While all of these varnishes are superb, there is one important thing you should keep in mind when applying your varnish. Application technique will affect the final result. Any varnish can become bubbly if you apply it too thick. Any varnish will be uneven if you are not careful to prepare your surface and sand in between layers. For smooth application, you should learn about the best way to apply your varnish or you could end up disappointed with your product even though the product itself isn’t to blame at all.
Varnish also has a very strong smell and most of these products do contain toxic chemicals in liquid form. You should also work in a well-ventilated area and use the right safety equipment to ensure that you stay safe while applying your protective coatings.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you found a good-quality varnish to help you protect and preserve your outdoor furniture for as long as possible.
And if you are looking for other superb quality woodworking tools and products such as the best CNC machines, the best marine varnish, the best beginner table saws, or the best woodworking books, then we welcome you to have a look at some of our other guides!
Last Updated on January 30, 2021 by Tom Bradly