Questions and Answers for Varathane 1 Gal. Clear Matte Water Based Interior Polyurethane (2-Pack)

A:  Great question, Sharon. Rust-Oleum Varathane Floor Finish will not darken the surface but will change the sheen. This particular product is a Matte finish, so it will be duller. This product is available in other sheens as well, including Gloss, Semi-Gloss, and Satin. Please feel free to call us at 800-901-0411 to discuss further if you have additional questions. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 5

A:  I put it on dark wood floors so hard to say. It just looked awesome when finished.

A:  I actually used this on bathroom cabinets. I have used both the satin and the matte finishes. It doesn't darken it at all. Sorry, but I don't have before/after pictures.

A:  No. It doesn't darken the surface at all. I used it on stair treads and you could not tell that I had put it on when it dried which is what I wanted.

A:  I have used this finish on several projects and have noticed no darkening.

A:  Thank you for reaching out! We recommend following the manufactures dry and recoat time before applying in a test area first to ensure the desired results with Rust-Oleum Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3

A:  Not all polys are compatible. I would wait until your poly isn't quite fresh and try a small corner test first... This stuff is awesome and easy,no odor, quick dry for recoat.

A:  I would not without calling the manufacturer of this product at 1 (877) 385-8155. They were very helpful in answering my questions.

A:  Great question! Rust-Oleum Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish Polyurethane is suitable for use on interior wood floors and stairs. Thanks to patented Aluminum Oxide Nano Technology, this polyurethane outperforms leading brands with maximum adhesion resistance in high-traffic areas. To ensure the best results, a minimum or 4 coats are recommended.

A:  I would say yes, just use more coats! It dries in an hour, easy recoat. I love this product. No odor, cleans with water. If it doesn't wear as well over time it is certainly easier to redo! Goes down like liquid wax, easy. I put 4 coats down with no sanding, beautiful 1200 sq ft of hardwoods.

A:  Yes, you can use this in high traffic areas and on a staircase.

A:  Yes, our Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish Polyurethane may be applied to interior wood surfaces such as furniture, doors, cabinets, and trim. This polyurethane dries to a crystal clear, matte finish, and does not have a yellow or amber hue.

A:  I had called the company about another product of a similar name, and they assured me, it is the same product. Apparently they label for various retailers. This product was also labeled differently, in a quart, at Home Depot. I needed gallons, so I ordered this online.

A:  Happy to clear things up, Crystal! Since this is a water-based coating, we recommend applying Rust-Oleum Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish Polyurethane with a good quality, synthetic bristle brush, foam brush or applicator. We do recommend cutting the perimeter to help ensure a smooth, even finish.

A:  I have used a low nap roller, foam roller and a brush....basically everything 'but' a wool applicator and have had good results. I always apply 2 - 3 light coats and very lightly sand between coats.....that means a mere 5 minutes or less with a sheet of 220 sandpaper on a sanding block to scuff the surface and knock down any noted high spots.............I definitely do not obsess over this step and you should not either.

A:  I have used both a foam applicator and a brush - both work well.

A:  No, you do not need to sand between each coat.

A:  Our Varathane Matte Water-Based Floor Finish Polyurethane may be recoated as soon in as little as two hours, and no sanding is required unless the coating has cured for more than 24 hours. A minimum of four coats are required, and some like to sand the third coat with 220 grit sandpaper prior to applying the fourth coat for an ultra smooth finish. Since this is a matte finish, be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the can and mix thoroughly prior to use, and periodically during application. It is also important to apply thin, even coats to ensure that the polyurethane dries crystal clear.

A:  Shay, approximately 10 gallons of our Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish would be needed to apply the necessary four coats to a 950 ft.² floor surface.

A:  From our experience 2 gallons should do it for 2 coats, but your wood floors may be different. We have wide plank white oak.

A:  In our case 1 Fallon covered more than 400 sf with recommended coats. But we applied much of it by hand which was very efficient. 4 gallons and a little bit covered 2500 sf with two coats. Our flooring did have uv oil finish (very poor, and wood still absorbed first coat quite a lot).

A:  Shay, each gallon of our Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish covers 400 ft.² with one coat, four coats are required. 4 gallons of our Varathane Water-Based Floor Finish would be needed to complete a 400 ft.² floor.

A:  Melanie, our 1 gal. Clear Matte Water Based Interior Polyurethane is a water-based coating, and does not have a strong odor. Some people have higher sensitivity to odors than others, and we do recommend opening windows to allow for proper ventilation . Once the coating has dried for three days, it is ready for normal use, and there should be no remaining odor. In most cases there is no noticeable order once the product has dried for four hours.

A:  No, very low/no odor, driesto recoat about 1 hour.

A:  Howdy Handygirl, The best type of roller to use is a high quality lambswool roller. A low quality will leave behind fibers and make you regret not using the right materials. happy coating, Coach Dave

A:  For the best results, we recommend applying Rust-Oleum Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane with a good quality, synthetic bristle brush, foam brush or applicator.