Varathane Vs Minwax: Which Is Best For Wood Finishing?

Choosing between wood finishing products is not as easy as it seems. It doesn’t help the matter that there are so many great options out there to choose from. Between Varathane and Minwax alone, there are countless options to choose from to stain just about any kind of wood style or color in your home. But, which one is best for wood finishing?

Varathane is the best for wood finishing if you are looking for overall better finishes. On the other hand, Minwax is the better option if you are looking for the best pre-stain. Both products have pros and cons about them, and which is best depends on what your end goal is.

In this article, we will take you through both of these products and explain which situation is best for which one. That will help you when choosing a product for your finishing.

Between Varathane and Minwax alone, there are countless options to choose from to stain just about any kind of wood style or color in your home. Minwax is a better option as far as pre-stain preparations goes, and Varathane offers better finishes

Wood finishing products serve more purposes than just enhancing the look of the wood it is applied to. In fact, without adding a wood finishing product to the wood, it would be susceptible to damage. Adding a finish to the wood protects it from scratches, humidity, dents, and spills.

Without using a finish, the wood can easily warp from humidity creating an eye sore and a structural error. Let’s dive deeper into each brand and see what they have to offer.

Minwax is a premium producer of wood preparation and finishing products. They have been around since 1904, and Minwax has always offered more options while maintaining the same quality. Their sanding sealers, wood fillers, refinishers, and pre-stain wood conditioners are just as effective as Minwax’s finishing options. Whether it be a water or oil-based stain, you can expect a Minwax finish to be long-lasting and protective.

One of their most impressive stains Minwax’s Design Series Color Wash. What makes the Design Series Color Wash so distinct is that it can be added to either bare or already stained wood. The Design Series Color Wash is perfect for creating an old-style look making your wood look aged and unique. It is not ideal for floors, but the Design Series Color Wash is ideal for smaller wooden surfaces.

Perhaps you want a finish that will make the room feel more open and brighter. In that case, something like the Ultimate Polyurethane Oil Based semi-gloss or Minwax’s Natural 209 finish are perfect examples of simple, brightened stains.

Your finish should overtake the look of the wood itself, but instead enhance it. If you have a naturally dark wood that you need to stain, consider more of a glossy stain. However, if you have a noticeably light wood that you want to darken, look for more walnut, espresso, and mocha tinted stains.

Water based polyurethane stains are better than oil based because the dry time is faster and has a harder coating. Both water and oil-based polyurethane finishes have their own benefits and pitfalls. Water based finishes, for example, can retain the color of the stain for longer than oil-based. If fire safety is a big concern, it should be noted that water based polyurethane is less flammable than oil based.

One of the big draws of water based polyurethane is that it doesn’t have much of a smell and it dries quickly. Oil-based polyurethane, on the other hand, is known for its distinct aroma.

Oil-based polyurethane finishes tend to come out more evenly than water-based. They are also more durable than water-based finishes which means oil-based polyurethane needs fewer touch-ups. Both Varathane and Minwax produce several options for both oil and water based stains.

Oil-based polyurethane seems to be where it’s at as far as having a finished product that’s sustainable and doesn’t fade over time. However, the application process is a bit more involved than a water-based product.