You’ve just painted your grandma’s old bedroom furniture and it looks gorgeous. But now you have to decide on a clear coat that will keep it looking spiffy. You don’t want to ruin the finish with a yellowing lacquer, an overly glossy topcoat, or some goopy clear coat that looks blotchy with paintbrush strokes.
So how do you decide on the best topcoat for your painted furniture?
Keep reading friends. I’ve put together a list of top coat options for painted furniture to help you choose the right one for your project.
While I do mention 5 different products, I recommend paying attention to the type of products mentioned, so you understand how different application types can make a difference no matter the brand.
Additionally, I’ve made a free printable cheat sheet with all the stats that you would want to consider to make the best possible choice. Join our resource library, here, and you’ll be able to download the chart straight from the library.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase through those links.
Option #1: Americana Decor Soft-Touch Varnish (aka the easiest top coat I’ve ever used)
Most recently, I’ve been using a clear coat varnish on my painted furniture pieces, and I am finding that this is the easiest top coat finish I’ve ever used. I’m not going to proclaim it’s the best, or most durable, or the end-all of top coats, but if you are looking for a clear coat finish that is easy to apply, dries fast, with very little mess, then this is one you might want to hear about.
This post contains affiliate links. Find a full disclosure, here.
It’s called Americana Decor Soft Touch Varnish
.
What the label says:
The description on the label lists the following features:
- Indoor/ outdoor use
- Very durable
- Clear drying
- No strong odor
What I happen to like about the sealer:
There are quite a few things I like about this clear coat finish.
Easy, fast application
For one, it’s super easy to apply. You can use a paintbrush, varnish brush, high-density foam paint roller
, or even a craft foam brush.
My favorite way to apply the finish is with a foam paint roller for the first 2 coats (to assure full coverage), followed by a paint or varnish brush for the last coat (for the slightest bit of a brushstroke effect). A small foam craft brush works well for dabbing any excess varnish that gathers near the furniture corners, ends, and so on.
Additionally, I like is that it dries really fast which makes it easy to add second and third coats. I applied the top coat on my Anvil Gray dining chairs while in my un-air-conditioned shed, on a fairly humid day, and the finish had dried to the touch within 15 minutes.
Finally,tThe Soft Touch Varnish label suggests waiting 1-2 hours before applying additional coats, whereas many varnishes require an 8-24 hour drying time before applying another coat. I can respect the wait-time for a really expensive or vintage piece of furniture, like the Sears and Roebuck dresser we refinished with tung oil, but not every piece I refinish needs that kind of treatment. This varnish is a time saver for a lot of projects that don’t need the age-old style top treatments.
Just applied
15 minutes later and it’s dry to the touch.
Self-leveling properties
Have you heard of self-leveling? Self-leveling is when paint or finish levels itself out after it has been applied, for the purpose of a smoother finish as an end result. If you ever brushed on varnish and found that you have a bunch of distinct brush marks that continue to show after the product is dry, then you know what a self-leveling finish is not. With Soft-Touch Varnish, you can keep brushing back and forth, even while it is drying and those annoying streaks and such will not show up once it’s dry.
Non-messy and doesn’t attract lint
One of the problems I’ve had with so many clear top coats is that they seem to be a lint magnet during the application process. It’s like all the floaties that you can’t see in the air turn direction and head for your furniture piece right after you’ve applied the finish.
Not so with this stuff. It’s not goopy, sticky, or messy. The consistency looks like glue, but it’s not super sticky to the touch like glue. A few of the bristles from the varnish brush I was using came off onto the finish, and while it was drying, I was able to pick them right off. Then I just ran the wet brush over the area again and the mark was gone.
What I don’t like about the sealer:
I mostly like everything about this varnish but if there were anything I didn’t like, I’d say that:
1) Because it dries so fast, it’s a little hard to tell if you’ve missed a spot. That is why I like to roll it on with a foam roller (at least for the first few coats.)
2) It is a matte finish. As far as I am aware, it is only available in a matte finish, so if someone is looking for a more gloss and sheen finish, I would not suggest this type of varnish.
Re-cap
- Indoor and outdoor
- Durable
- Easy to apply with a variety of application tools
- Self-leveling
- Dries fast and clear
- Not sticky, goopy, messy
- Doesn’t attract lint
- Low on odor
- Matte finish
You can find Soft Touch Varnish
at most of the local home improvement stores or find it right here
.
Compare Against 4 Other Top Coat Sealer Options For Painted Surfaces
See four other top coat for painted furniture options below. Use the charts for comparison to decide which method is best for your project.
Note that while I have not used other brands, there may be similar formulas available that could very well work in place of any one of these. I can only say that I have personally had success and recommend the following list.
Option#2: General Finishes Gel Topcoat Wipe-On Urethane
| Application Method | Soft lint-free cloth (ie: old t-shirt); for larger surfaces use a foam brush or a paint pad applicator. |
| Surface types | Can be used over wood, acrylic paint, latex paint |
| Base Coat Dry Time | 24 hours or overnight |
| Dry Time Between Coats | 12 hours |
| Dry Time After Completion | 12-24 hours; longer in humid or damp conditions |
| Recommended Number of Coats | 2-3 coats recommended |
| Finish options | Satin |
| Clean-up | Mineral spirits; paint thinner |
| Ease Factor | Easier |
| Pros | Provides a gorgeous hand-rubbed appearance with a tough polyurethane professional-looking finish. The wipe-on application is super easy to use. Non-toxic after drying. |
| Cons | Interior only |
| Notes | Buff lightly between coats with 320-400 grit sandpaper. |
Read/Watch: How to apply General Finishes Gel Top Coat
Option #3: Fusion Clear Matte Tough Coat Wipe-On Poly
| Application Method | Damp lint-free cloth (ie: an old t-shirt that has been slightly dampened.) |
| Surface types | Can be used over chalk, acrylic, latex, or mineral paint |
| Base Coat Dry Time | 12-24 hours |
| Dry Time Between Coats | 2-4 hours |
| Dry Time After Completion | 12-24 hours; longer in humid or damp conditions |
| Recommended Number of Coats | 2 coats recommended |
| Finish options | Matte |
| Clean-up | Soap and water |
| Ease Factor | Easiest |
| Pros | Non-yellowing. Ideal for high-traffic surfaces. |
| Cons | Interior only. Not recommended over medium to dark paint colors. |
| Notes | Not recommended over medium to dark paint colors. |
Read/Watch: How to apply Fusion Tough Coat
Option #4: Rust-Oleum Chalked Protective Top Coat
| Application Method | Synthetic paintbrush |
| Surface types | Can be used over chalk paint; acrylic, or latex paint |
| Base Coat Dry Time | 8 hours |
| Dry Time Between Coats | 2 hours |
| Dry Time After Completion | 2 hours gentle handling. 24-48 hours full dry time. |
| Recommended Number of Coats | 1-2 coats |
| Finish options | Matte |
| Clean-up | Soap and water |
| Ease Factor | Easier |
| Pros | Budget-friendly. Sold in most home improvement and department stores. |
| Cons | Interior only. Can be drippy. Pay attention to drips during application. |
| Notes | Pay attention to drips during application. |
Option #5: Rust-Oleum Painters Touch 2X Ultra Cover Clear
| Application Method | Spray can |
| Surface types | Can be used over chalk, acrylic, latex, milk paint, plastic, metal, wicker, and a variety of other surfaces. |
| Base Coat Dry Time | 1 hour |
| Dry Time Between Coats | 10-20 minutes |
| Dry Time After Completion | 20 minutes for gentle handling. 24-48 hours full dry time. |
| Recommended Number of Coats | 2-4 thin, light coats |
| Finish options | Matte, Gloss, Satin, Semi-Gloss |
| Clean-up | Mineral spirits; paint thinner |
| Ease Factor | Easy |
| Pros | Budget-friendly. Interior/Exterior. Low-odor, resists chipping, durable, smooth finish. Double the coverage of standard aerosol clear coat. |
| Cons | Not recommended for finer furniture pieces. |
| Notes | Make sure to apply thin, light coats to avoid drips. |
Don’t forget to save on Pinterest or share to Facebook for later reference:)
Clear coat sealer for painted furniture can also be used on decor pieces, kitchen cabinets, wicker, wood, and more. As with the information in these charts, whatever product you choose to use, check each label for specifics, such as application type, dry times, surface application and clean-up.
Original post: September 20, 2017
Mary formerly of the boondocks says
Amy this soft touch is new to me. I have used the regular varnish from Deco Art and love it, Now I can;t wait to try this new one out. Thanks for the info, pinning.