Finishing products give your wood projects the final appearance and long-lasting protection. So it’s important to choose wisely among the best. But with all the many options, how will you choose among them?
In this article, our finishing experts detail the pros and cons of two of the top finishing products– Minwax vs Varathane, to help you pick the right one for your project.
What is Varathane?
Since 1958, woodworkers have been using Varathane as an outstanding wood-finishing product. Varathane polyurethane has become popular because of its quick drying after application while giving your wood surface scratch and stain resistance.
Also, you can get an overall result, from Varathane wood putty to finishing. There are also color variations that you can choose from dark (black, blue, brown) to light shades (pink, grey).
Most woodworkers prefer the Varathane stain to conserve time from their projects. Their favorites include polyurethane oil and water-based stain and its premium wood conditioner, the soya oil-based.
Ultimate Polyurethane Oil
The Varathane premium oil-based wood finishes give your projects a natural appearance. You will get a rich and golden finish after the recommended two coats of polyurethane oil.
When using this product, you will notice that it dries faster than any oil-based stains and polyurethane, has no visible brush strokes, and is self-leveling.
Pros and Cons of Varathane
For Varathane topcoats, here are the pros and cons when using them.
Pros
- Perfect and amazing wood finishing products
- Preserve the finish on your furniture
- Turns any paint job into a masterpiece
- Best chalk paint sealer
- Perfect for beginners (Easy to use with great results)
Cons
- Not recommended to use over mineral paint
- Not a substitute for actual varnish
What is Minwax?
Minwax polyurethane is known to be the best pre-stain polyurethane product and continue to offer the same finish on the surface since 1904. There are several Minwax oil-based and water-based products that you can use as sealants or fillers and pre-stain wood conditioners.
You can also have Minwax refining products that protect the wood surface for a long time. Its famous Design Series Color Wash creates a finished of old-fashioned yet unique designs.
Minwax Performance Series
You can expect Minwax a lasting finish from its oil-based formula. For as fast as 2 hours, you can recoat the surface when using solvent-based and 6 hours for water-based finishes. This means that the drying time of Minwax is faster than traditional wood stains.
Also, its texture is thicker which makes it easier to apply with minimum spatting and dripping. You can choose from 48 colors of Minwax performance series like golden oak, red mahogany, birchbark, and grey elm among others.
Here is the complete list of the Minwax Performance Series:
- MW210B Golden Oak
- MW 211 Provincial
- MW224 Special Walnut
- MW 225 Red Mahogany
- MW 230 Early American
- MW 232 Red Chestnut
- MW 233 English Chestnut
- MW 2716 Dark Walnut
- MW 2718 Ebony Color
- MW 273 Espresso
- MW 401 Grey Elm
- MW 403 Shipboard
- MW 405 Toasted Barrell
- MW 407 Smokewood
- MW 409 Carbon
- MW 411 Birchbark
- MW 413 Greenwood
- MW 415 Tidal Wood
- MW 417 Alluvium
- MW 419 Cooper Brown
- MW 421 Forrester
- MW 423 Whitewash
- MW 425 Fallen Cypress
- MW 427 Habitat
- MW 429 Sawyer
- MW 431 Willowbend
- MW 433 Amber Pine
- MW 435 Oakwood Color
- MW 437 Country Pine
- MW 439 Walnut
- MW 441 Heirloom Oak
- MW 443 Hedgewood
- MW 445 Woodshed
- MW 447 Mahogany
- MW 449 Hornbeam
- MW 451 Candlewood
- MW 453 Honeymade
- MW 445 Pine Ridge
- MW 457 Samara
- MW 459 Sagamore
- MW 461 Mesquite
- MW 463 Amaranth
- MW 465 Currant
- MW 467 Yellow Steppe
- MW 469 Evergreen
- MW 471 Navy
- MW 473 Mulberry
Pros and Cons of Minwax
Every wood stain has pros and cons. So here’s our list for Minwax wood stains.
Pros
- Has excellent coverage
- Easy to blend with even deep luster
- Easy to use on different wood surfaces
- Has good and match colors including antiques
- The stain lasted long.
Cons
- The color is lighter than what is shown.
- Dries too quickly which makes it harder to gauge or rub
- Needs to brush evenly to keep color consistency
Side-by-Side Comparison of Minwax and Varathane
If you want the best results for your finish, you got to weigh between Minwax vs Varathane. To elaborate on their features, here’s our side-by-side comparison:
Product Range
Minwax and Varathane cover polyurethane that’s oil-based, water-based, and oil-modified. You can use either of them for floors, interior, and exterior by rolling, wiping, brushing, or spraying.
For most customers, a wipe-on poly is easier. But not Varathane because it does not offer a wipe-on. So this is an edge for Minwax products.
Minwax carries a wipe-on poly which costs less than other companies in the industry. So in terms of product range, you can rely on Minwax.
Winner: Minwax
Application
When it comes to ease of application, manufacturers provided various options to apply like spraying, brushing, or wiping. Also, they come up with water-based polyurethane that dries quickly and only one coat of poly.
This means that both Minwax and Varathane are considered to be on the top list of wood stains you can apply effortlessly.
Durability
Most wood finishing products are durable. Some are both safe for public health and the environment while protecting the wooden surface from extreme heat and cold and water or moisture.
Both offer durability on the surface. So you can rely on them if you are looking for a durable wood finish.
Versatility
The versatility of wood stain is important to save you more time in your wood projects. So Varathane pros offer its stain+poly product whereas, Minwax has its Polyshades product.
Both of their products do not require a brush, bucket, or sprayer. All you need to do is prepare the can and start your finishing touch on your furniture or flooring. So, you can grab both of them in terms of their versatility.
Toxicity and Smell
Polyurethane is composed of isocyanates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which make the Minwax and Varathane have a high level of toxicity. When you smell VOCs for a couple of hours, you will experience headaches, irritations to your eyes and nose, and dizziness.
So authorities regulate the use of polyurethane so using it can be less hazardous. But between them, the Varathane contains less VOC though if you compare it with Minwax, the difference is not significant.
Winner: Varathane
Dry Time
Minwax has been labeled to be a fast-drying polyurethane but little did we know that Varathane also offers ultra fast-drying poly for their products. Most water-based or oil-based wood stains nowadays have super-fast drying components.
Varathane and Minwax have the same drying time so you can choose either of them in terms of quick drying.
Applicable Supplies/Materials
Supplies and materials available for Varathane and Minwax applications can be found easily in the market. Also, you can use a brush or aerosol spray [1] if you are going to apply it on the surface.
Color and Shine
For a particular finish, Varathane gives an absolute shine to the surface and does not give an off-color afterward. Also, this poly could give you the most prolonged effect than Minwax.
But in terms of coat, both Varathane and Minwax peel off. However, it depends on the conditions of the surface.
Winner: Varathane
Base
Normally, polyurethane can only apply on a bare wood surface. Also, oil-based and water-based stains have different effects, particularly on color.
If you apply oil-based stain polyurethane, you can get an amber shade afterward. Water-based will give you a yellowish color if you applied on a white-painted surface. Most of them have this effect including Minwax products.
On the contrary, you can use Varathane products on a white-painted wooden surface without turning yellowish or amber shade. So for this feature, you know which you can use.
Winner: Varathane
Coats Required
Multiple coats are time-consuming so when using Varathane, you have to allot more time than applying Minwax products. Though one layer is all you need for Minwax, the finish looks appealing and the coat dries fast.
Winner: Minwax
Peeling
Although both finishes offer durability in different ways, comparing Varathane finish with other stain products, it does not penetrate the surface, however, Minwax does the opposite. The latter gives the finish resistance to fading.
So our experts recommend considering the peeling feature of both products before deciding what to buy.
Winner: Minwax
Texture
The finish texture of Varathane is smooth and glossy for its final coat whereas, Minwax is far from a smooth finish. Also, the latter is a non-gloss finish.
Winner: Varathane
Penetration and Waterproofing
First, Varathane products offer waterproofing to protect wood surfaces. You cannot rest easy if you use Minwax as waterproof to your furniture and floorings.
Lastly, penetration is important for the overall performance of the finishing products. For this one, you can rely on Minwax.
Our pro woodworkers proved that the Minwax penetrates deeply into the surface. This explains that it does not peel off easily or chip over time.
Price
Varathane products are composed of costly chemicals and other materials so you can find Varathane is more expensive than Minwax products.
However, you need more than a couple of coats for Minwax to achieve the result. So, combining what you spent buying Minwax products, it will be the same as you spend purchasing Varathane.
Choosing a Finish to Make Your Room Brighter
After we give you the side-by-side comparison between Varathane vs Minwax, we will now guide you to choose the final look of your room. Of course, a brighter room gives a good vibe so, what will you choose between oil-based or water-based?
Both polyurethane offers durability and an appealing finished look. But there are always differences between the two.
Oil-Based vs Water-Based Polyurethane
For water-based polyurethane, you can get a clear finish on your wood projects without too much smell of VOCs. It gives you a natural look like maple and you have the edge of coating the surface more than once because water-based finishes dry quickly.
But your limitations in using water-based are the cost as compared with oil-based. You cannot expect a glossy appearance and the surface water-based needs more maintenance or refinishing such as wooden floorings.
Meanwhile, oil-based polyurethane offers some advantages for you. If you are going to use it, your wood project will have an amber glow and a more protective finish than water-based. You can save money and time when you used oil-based.
The only limitation you will have when using oil-based is you need to wait for 12 hours curing time after the last coat. Also, this polyurethane emits a strong odor from VOCs.
More about their differences? Learn more in this oil vs water-based polyurethane comparison.
The Purpose of Wood Preparation
Preparation of your wood is important with any wood projects that you will do. You can make sure that it has protection and can be preserved for a long time.
How to Prepare Wood
Before your finishing coat, you have to prepare your wood by sanding and conditioning. Here’s how you do it like a professional woodworker.
Sanding
As a starter, use sandpaper with 100-grit to get rid of the visible imperfections on the surface. Then move to 150-grit paper to give your wood surface more uniform and smoother. For final sanding, get your 220-grit sandpaper for the ultimate finish on preparing your wood.
Conditioning
For conditioning the wood, you have to choose the right conditioner as the first step. Make sure you use the same brand of conditioner with the wood stain. Water-based conditioner should match with water-based wood stain.
Then pick a location as your workstation. Make sure the place is dust free so it cannot go on your wood surface. Also, good ventilation is necessary for the odor of stains and finishes.
After making sure everything is in order and you have cleaned thoroughly the wood surface, you can apply the conditioner. Using a foam brush, lint rag, or bristle brush, you can start applying the wood conditioner. You need to follow the direction of the wood grain for easy absorption.
Finally, after the penetration of the pre-stain wood conditioners on the surface, you can wipe off excess.
Safety Precautions
Since polyurethane is highly flammable, you have to take precautions while using it. Aside from the part that you should know how to use it, you also need to know the important safety measures.
Of course, we have the standard procedure that no smoking is allowed in the workstation. You also need to make sure that there are no open flames.
Wear Goggle
Then, wearing goggles is the next thing you have to do. Protect your eyes from VOCs that caused irritations, especially when brushing them. Also, you will never know if small drops can get to your eyes by accident so better to prevent them from coming to your eyes.
Use Gloves
Next, wear a pair of gloves as soon as you start doing your wood project. Any chemicals you start from the beginning are toxic and contain irritants that can cause skin problems later on. So better to protect your hands before you begin.
Use a Respirator
Lastly, wear a comfortable mask or respirator especially if you need to use fire in the middle of your work. This is another routine you should know in your workshop. When applying polyurethane, our experts recommend that you can use a paper dust mask.
Recommended Read: Is Polyurethane Toxic to Your Health & The Environment?
Can You Combine Varathane and Minwax?
Well, the answer is yes. Water-based and oil-based polyurethane is compatible respectively but not oil with water or vice versa.
However, if you are going to combine the oil-based and water-based Varathane and Minwax, you need to use a Shellac in between them. Shellac can combine two different Minwax and Varathane wood stains to stick together.
Can I Apply Minwax Over Varathane?
You can apply Minwax over Varathane as long as one of them is cured properly. If you want to mix stain colors, you need to do a color test so you have an idea of the result.
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FAQ
Are Varathane and Minwax similar?
As we mentioned earlier, Varathane and Minwax are different from each other. They have similarities but their differences can affect the result on a wood surface.
Is poly ideal for outdoor use?
Polyurethane is not always the most ideal choice for outdoor use. Over time, exposure to sunlight and weather conditions can cause polyurethane to break down.
But there is polyurethane that can be used outdoors. For example, you can use Varathane wood stain outdoors as it offers to waterproof.
Did Varathane acquire Minwax?
Depending on the conditions and purpose, you can rely more on Varathane over Minwax.
Can I apply Minwax over Varathane?
As we mentioned, you can apply Minwax over Varathane as long as you use Shellac between them so there’s no peeling off.
Conclusion
Our top pick between Varathane vs Minwax is the latter because it has an edge both on indoor and outdoor wooden surfaces.
Unlike Minwax, the finishing of Varathane gives the furniture and floorings a classy look because of the gloss component. Also, a single coat can cover the wood base therefore it’s more efficient to use.
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