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Varathane vs Minwax are both used to polish and stain wood. Both of them are employed in a wide range of contexts and modes. They shouldn’t be used together, though, as they are both rather distinct. Each business also produces a wide range of additional woodworking equipment, such as putty. However, since that this is the category in which the businesses frequently compete, we will concentrate mostly on their finishes in this piece.
This article will assist you in determining the ideal finish or stain for your circumstances. There isn’t a solution that is superior for everyone; it primarily relies on your own situation and requirements.
| Image | Product Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | MINWAX | Check Price | |
 | VARATHANE | Check Price |
Overview of Minwax
A firm with the same name produces a particular brand of wood finish and stain called Minwax. It is a specific brand, but it also has a special composition and a certain kind of finish. Consequently, you can’t just exchange it for another brand or whatever is on offer.
First off, Minwax is based on oil. It is intended for indoor usage because it isn’t very resistant to weathering. It is available in a wide range of finishes, all of which are intended to provide a “natural” wood stain. With this finish, you won’t be getting any odd colors. All of the outcomes add some deep color to the original grain. The stain is intended to soak into the wood thoroughly.
One application of Minwax is often sufficient, which is quite uncommon. To get the desired results, you often need to apply many coats of stains and finishes. Because this wood stain doesn’t lap, you may achieve even more coverage with the same quantity of product. Generally speaking, it dries in two hours, albeit this varies on the usage circumstances.
It claims that one quart will cover 137.5 square feet. You must use a mineral spirit to clean your brushes once you’ve finished painting.
Overview of Varathane
Varathane is available in a vast array of hues and is also made for interior application. It should only be used in locations that won’t experience rain or wind because it doesn’t shield wood from the elements outside. Due to its availability in both 1 quart and 8-ounce jars, you have a wide range of alternatives depending on the size of your project.
Varathane also comes in a variety of hues. Currently, there are twelve alternatives available for the Varathane Classic line, and there are many more possibilities available for the company’s other lines. According to the company’s advertisements, a quart covers around 150 square feet. To achieve a deep hue, you will need to apply many coats. Although the manufacturer advises using two coats, you might need to apply even more.
Due to its great penetration into the wood, the initial coat will dry in about two hours. You should allow at least four hours for the second coat to dry because it won’t penetrate as deeply. The drying time increases with the number of coats applied.
The majority of Varathane’s colors are neutral hues. They don’t have any hues that appear to be fake or anything like. For additional durability and protection, you should apply a polyurethane layer on top of the stain. Your wood won’t be protected by this product. It only provides a deep color.
Similar to Minwax, this product may be cleaned using mineral spirits.
Complete Colors
In other circumstances, you could base your choice entirely on the colors that each company offers. There are several distinctions between the brands even if they do cover many of the same hues. Additionally, every brand always releases new hues, therefore the product lines of several businesses will probably have some distinctive finishes. If you’re searching for a certain finish, pick the product that is most similar to that shade.
This might very well be your determining factor if you are most concerned with the final output. There are additional variations between the goods of the two companies, even if this might be the most obvious one.
Water-Based vs. Oil-Based
Both businesses primarily generate goods based on oil. However, each business has recently begun experimenting with water-based alternatives as well. These are more recent and far less common than the oil-based finishes. Because of their water-based possibilities, which have a tendency to be very diverse in terms of color and style, you could prefer one brand to the other.
Water-based stains are less prone to fade over time and can keep their color for a much longer duration. As you may undoubtedly understand, they are also far less combustible than alternatives based on oil. The fact that water dries reasonably rapidly and without an odor is most significant. For this reason, you won’t need to “air out” the wood. Additionally, the intervals between coats will be shorter.
Contrarily, oil-based finishes are more robust. In some circumstances, they may also generate nicer colors and are simpler to operate. Since this kind of finish is more common, there are also more variations available. Both businesses provide a significant selection of oil-based finishes and stains.
Drying Period
When it comes to which brand dries faster, there is no clear winner. Depending on the product, it will change. Formulas with a water base will dry up quicker than those with an oil base. Because of this, the focus of this section will mostly be on items derived from oil.
Technically, Minwax often dries more slowly. Finish or stain should only be applied in very thin coats; otherwise, the product may take an excessively long time to dry. The majority of Minwax products will take 4 to 6 hours to thoroughly dry.
Varathane, on the other hand, often dries to the touch in just two hours. Recoating is possible after 4 hours, although it may take up to 72 hours for it to be deemed “fully cured.”
These numbers could lead one to believe that Varathane is the winner since it dries more quickly. However, it’s not always that easy.
Required number of coats
The majority of Varathane formulations need many coats to be effective. Each subsequent application takes longer to dry after the first. Varathane takes a long time to utilize because of this. It must be coated once, let to dry, and then coated once again. It will last all day, on and off.
However, a lot of Minwax products only need one application. You’re done after their initial coat, which may take longer to dry. You don’t need to wait around for it to dry again and apply more coats for hours. Because of this, even though Minwax’s drying time is theoretically greater, applying it frequently takes less time.
Peeling
Varathane doesn’t seem to penetrate wood as deeply as Minwax does. It is considerably more prone to peel off as a result. Although it is more resistant to fading over time, it may be thought of as less resilient than Minwax. Although in different ways, both finishes are resilient.
This is why we advise against making a selection based just on durability. There is no reason to worry about it because regardless of whatever choice you select, you will essentially receive the same thing.
Shine
Varathane gives their products extra luster and keeps the wood from fading or changing color. Compared to Minwax, it seems to add the greatest shine for the longest. Varathane also peels more easily, so it does depend on the environment and how the wood is utilized. It’s evident that it won’t make the wood particularly glossy if it comes off!
Conclusion
Between Varathane and Minwax, there is no clear winner. Both of them have won awards in particular categories. They tie frequently, but in different ways. For example, Minwax is more prone to fade whereas Varathane is more likely to peel. Given that they are both durable in various ways, it is difficult to determine which is more durable.
In the end, your decision may be heavily influenced by the colors you want!