Water Based Polyurethane For Floor Finish

Water Based Polyurethane: Water-based polyurethanes provide a clear finish and have low odor. You can recoat them in two hours and clean your tools with water. If you love the natural look of maple, apply a water-based (waterborne) polyurethane. They appear milky in the can, but go on clear and remain clear.

This polyurethane is highly regarded for use on the interior and the exterior surfaces as well. It is available in a gloss finish. It is a water-based poly modified with urethane to provide added protection against sun rays, water, and wind damage.

This poly is made from an advanced formula and contains Ultra-violet absorber and inhibitors to offer excellent protection against the damaging effects of sun and water. It is an ideal poly for stained as well as bare wood surfaces such as a door, interior and exterior floors, furniture, cabinets, and plenty more.

How To Apply Water Based Polyurethane

First of all, stir—never shake—a can of polyurethane. Why? Shaking a can of polyurethane will introduce numerous bubbles into the product that will show up in your final finish. Instead, just stir the product gently but thoroughly before each use. Polyurethane takes hours, not minutes, to dry; that’s a lot of time for the dust to settle or bugs to land on the surface, marring the final product.

Both water-based and oil-based products give off strong fumes as they dry (although oil-based is decidedly worse), so proper ventilation is a must. Just don’t finish your work outdoors, where you can’t control dust, bugs, and other flying finish-runners. When applying polyurethane on vertical surfaces, you may experience drips or runs.

Minimize this problem by applying thinner coats or by switching from standard brush-on poly to a wipe-on or spray finish, both of which can be applied in very thin coats. If you end up with runs or drips, try to sand them out when sanding between coats, or carefully remove them with a sharp razor blade (followed by sanding to feather in the blemish).

Varathane Water Based Polyurethane

Description: Varathane Water Based Polyurethane is a crystal clear innovative coating that makes wooden surface scratch and stain-proof. The quality which makes it more convenient to use is fast drying. This is the polyurethane that gets dried in an hour to touch and its 1 liter can treat 75-150 square feet of area. This is compatible to use for interior wooden projects such as stained, bare, or painted, etc. This crystal clear polyurethane is suitable for furniture, doors, windows, cabinets, etc. Varathane Polyurethane provides a hard, crystal-clear finish that never yellows and lasts two times longer than traditional wood finishes.

• Easy to apply superior poly protection for interior wood surfaces
• Self-leveling, smooth clear finish with max top coat durability
• The fast dry, durable formula covers up to 125 sq. ft. per quart

Best Water Based Polyurethane For Floors

When it comes to sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors, there are 2 main components: 1) The quality of the workmanship and 2) the quality of the materials (i.e. the polyurethane). In this article, I’m going to discuss the highest grade polyurethanes. The polyurethane is the coating that gives your floor its protection.

Bona Finish-Mega HD Clear Satin

Just like other Bona product, Bona finish Mega HD satin doesn’t disappoint. This water-based polyurethane finish is made with anti-scratch and chemical resistant components that protect the floor from damages that may occur in the future.

Deft Interior Exterior Water-based Polyurethane Finish

Here is a water based polyurethane finish that can serve a dual purpose; it can be used to coat both interior and exterior surfaces. Made with 100 percent urethane, this deft product is formulated with the latest water based oil technology.

 RUST-OLEUM Varathane 200231 Paint

Coming from a brand known for its exceptionally reliable Polyurethane, the Varathane gallon satin is not any different. It’s meant explicitly for interiors and comes in 5 various forms; satin, gloss, semi-gloss, satin finish, and transparent.

Bona Mega (Mid grade)

This wood floor finish (satin), is one of the most easy-to-use finishes you’d ever come across. It’s 30% less costly than other options from this brand, making it the ideal choice for those on a low budget.

Differences Between Water And Oil-based Polyurethanes

Oil-based polyurethane turns a subtle amber color and creates a hard film in a few coats. However, it takes quite a long time to dry and can be quite toxic, as it contains VOCs. It tends to show more brush marks and nicks over time. Water-based polyurethane, on the other hand, dries crystal clear and dries extremely quickly. Although it does require multiple coats, it is lower in VOCs and cleans up easily with soap and water.

Water-based polyurethanes are a great choice for many homeowners because they clean up easily and won’t take as long to apply and dry. Generally, you can apply a second coat of water-based polyurethane within just two hours, compared to twenty-four to forty-eight for oil-based polyurethanes. They don’t produce an odor, and brushes can be cleaned with water after using it. They preserve the natural color of the wood, so it won’t change the appearance and feel of your project.

What Is The Best Water Based Polyurethane?

TOP RATEDZAR 32712 Polyurethane QT Satin ($31.70)
Rust-Oleum 207008 Marine Spar Varnish 1-Quart ($13.94 )
General Finishes QTHS High-Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 quart, Satin from ($14.39)

Is Water Based Polyurethane Better Than Oil?

COLOR: Oil-based poly has an amber hue, whereas water based poly is clear. An oil-based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. Water based poly dries much faster, and several coats (up to 4) can be applied in one day.

How Long Does Water Based Polyurethane Last?

For oil-based poly, it usually takes 30 days to fully cure. But, with water based poly, the curing time can be cut down to 2 weeks. While you can walk on the floors much sooner (often after 24 hrs), the floors are still vulnerable during the curing process, and that means they can scratch much more easily.

Can You Put Polyurethane Over Water Based Polyurethane?

Flooring wholesalers and veteran floor finishers agree that you can recoat water-based poly with oil-based as long as the original coating has completely cured—generally 30 to 60 days. You’ll have to lightly buff the old finish with a power buffer to prepare it for the new polyurethane.