Which varnish to use?

[66HertzClone]

I picked up my work bench top at McMaster Carr on Friday. This is to top my Lista cabinets, the top was 36" wide and 10' long. Because of the placement of the A/C lines that run between the compressors and the evaporators and a natural gas pipe, my cabinets are about 3 1/2" from the wall. So, I chose the 36" width top and ripped it to the correct width, the leftover piece is destined to become a balance beam for our young son.

I want to protect the top with varnish and wonder which is the best to use. The Min Wax High Build product looks good, I see that many have used the Spar Helmsman varnish. The FAQ for the Spar states that it is designed to allow for expansion and contraction, I'm thinking that will happen with the temperature and humidity variations in my unheated uncooled garage. I did, but just wonder if anyone has tried the high build product. I plan to use the satin finish, not a big fan of the high gloss products on a work surface. I think the reflections that might occur would drive me nuts. Once I get some more of the **** out of the way I'll post some photos, I mounted four of the Lowe's special Gladiator cabinets above the bench, it's looking real good.

 

[Richard Givan]

Spar varnish is formulated for outdoor usage, as you state, but it's meant to endure rain and sun. It was originally made for boats (as in "spars"). While elastic, it is also soft and never really hardens as fully as other products. You will get a lot of "blocking" or things sticking to it after resting on it for a while.

I don't think you can do better than polyurethane, or as sometimes simply put, urethane varnish. It's extremely resistant to liquids and as tough as any varnish out there. Follow the application instructions carefully, or you might not get full adhesion between coats.