--- product_id: 2119006 title: "Varathane Water-Based Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane | Interior Wood Protection | Fast Dry Time | Easy Clean Up | Gloss | Half Pint" brand: "varathane" price: "B/.55" currency: PAB in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 category: "Varathane" url: https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/2119006-varathane-water-based-crystal-clear-ultimate-polyurethane-interior-wood-protection store_origin: PA region: Panama --- # Glossy crystal-clear finish Soap & water cleanup Dries to touch in 30 mins Varathane Water-Based Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane | Interior Wood Protection | Fast Dry Time | Easy Clean Up | Gloss | Half Pint **Brand:** varathane **Price:** B/.55 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > ✨ Protect your wood, impress your space — crystal clear perfection in a flash! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Varathane Water-Based Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane | Interior Wood Protection | Fast Dry Time | Easy Clean Up | Gloss | Half Pint by varathane - **How much does it cost?** B/.55 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.pa](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/2119006-varathane-water-based-crystal-clear-ultimate-polyurethane-interior-wood-protection) ## Best For - varathane enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted varathane brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Effortless Cleanup:** Water-based formula cleans up easily with soap and water—no harsh chemicals needed. - • **Ultra-Fast Dry Time:** Touch dry in just 30 minutes—get back to your project faster. - • **Polished Gloss Finish:** Creates a sleek, high-gloss look that highlights natural wood beauty and adds a refined touch. - • **Versatile Interior Protection:** Ideal for furniture, cabinets, trim, and more—elevate every wood surface in your space. - • **Durable Scratch & Stain Resistance:** Protects your wood surfaces from everyday wear and tear with lasting clarity. ## Overview Varathane Water-Based Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane delivers a fast-drying, durable, and easy-to-clean protective finish for interior wood surfaces. With outstanding scratch and stain resistance and a high-gloss finish, it preserves and enhances wood’s natural beauty while saving you time and hassle. ## Description Product Description Varathane Ultimate Water Based Polyurethane is a crystal clear protective layer for interior wood surfaces. Maximum scratch and stain resistance protect the surface from damage to preserve the color and quality over time. Ultra fast drying and easy soap and water clean up saves time and hassle. From the Manufacturer Varathane Crystal Clear Water-Based Polyurethane is specially developed to let wood’s natural beauty show through with the highest clarity over other water-based polyurethanes. Varathane provides outstanding scratch and stain resistance to keep your interior wood projects looking great longer. Review: great for floors, for drawers and shelving, and for animal cages - I have used this varnish for several applications, three of which I'll describe here. I've been varnishing my rat cage with this stuff for 20 years. I made the cage myself out of an unfinished pine bookcase to which I attached pine-framed screen doors. I originally got the varnish on the suggestion of a Home Depot associate who said that it was non-toxic when dry, which is essential for small animals who would be sleeping on the varnish and who like to chew things. This varnish takes some heavy punishment. Although my rats use litterboxes, as soon as the boxes are a bit dirty they start using the corners of the cage instead. That means that there is often urine (and all sorts of foods, from fruit to oatmeal to gravy) drying on and sticking to the varnish. This is not a problem for the varnish: it cleans right up with water and a damp paper towel. But to really clean the cage, I spray isopropyl alcohol on it every five to seven days and scrub with a towel. After about 2 or 3 years of this abuse, the varnish starts to wear thin in places and needs recoating. I never follow the directions, which say that I have to sand the existing varnish before recoating. I just thoroughly clean and dry the shelves and then paint on a couple more coats. I have never had the varnish flake or scratch under these conditions. I live in a very old house whose demise is imminent, so remodeling is always on-demand and slap-dash. Recently I had to get rid of some old carpet. In one room, the floor was literally nothing but bare plywood with lots of paint drips and plaster from earlier room remodeling. In the other room, there was a pretty parquet wood floor, which had been ruined by a VERY thorough application of carpet glue in ridges about 1/6in to 1/8in high. The house is not going to be standing much longer, so to get through the remaining 3 years I decided to use polyurethane--it was good enough for the rats, so why not for me? Last year, for the first room with plywood, I mostly followed the directions, which say to use a brush and make small strokes. This is supposed to avoid bubbling. I applied two coats without sanding in between. The results were outstanding: the splashes of paint and plaster on dark plywood under the high-gloss varnish give the room a sort of shabby industrial chic. I've single-handedly scooted the heavy (high efficiency) washing machine back and forth several times over the varnish and it didn't scratch, even in the places with raised blobs of paint or plaster underneath. It's been a year and even the high traffic spots between doors and the areas that get year-round sun look like they were just painted. This year I had to uncover that parquet floor with the glue on it. This room gets much less traffic (bedroom), so I cared a lot less about the paint bubbling. And I was in a big hurry to get it done. Painting a floor with a brush is not my idea of a fun home project. I decided to do what is absolutely forbidden by the instructions: use a foam roller to apply the varnish, right over the lines of glue, and over the mysterious 7-inch-wide bands of duct tape that ran across middle of the room. (Did not want to find out what was under that tape!) Because the glue lines were so high, I put down 4 coats of this very thin polyurethane varnish instead of just 2, so that I could more easily dust-mop the room. Again, fabulous results. I cannot find a single bubble in the paint, despite having hurriedly used a roller for all 4 coats. The varnish is adhering just fine to the duct tape; I think the tape will peel up before the varnish comes off it. The rough, scratchy ridges of glue are now smooth and comfortable to walk on. I like to think of the glue as a feature: no-slip flooring for when I wear slippery socks. I really liked using the roller to apply the paint. It's easy to see where you've just painted because the roller makes a much cloudier application than a brush, but still dries crystal clear. I care for my flooring much better than the rats care for theirs, so by the time this varnish starts to show wear, this house will have been demolished. The third application for this varnish is as a top coating over primer. On built-in shelving and inside drawers in this house, I have applied Kilz white mold-inhibiting primer, because a roof leak caused a mold problem. After fixing the roof, I spray treated all the drawers with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and grapeseed extract, then applied Kilz primer. I would have been happy to leave it at that, but primer is a terrible surface to deal with, sort of powdery in texture, impossible to slide anything like clothing on it. I haven't found any normal paints to be good for shelving, probably due to the humidity in this region--everything sticks to the paint and it gets peeled off the shelves. So, given the great results with the rat cage, I decided to try varathane. On top of the single coat of Kilz, I applied a single coat of varathane. All problems solved. The mold has not returned after 6 years, and the surfaces of the drawers and shelves are still shiny and slick. EXCELLENT product. Review: The Secret to Perfect Book Preservation and High-Gloss Finishes - I’ve been using Varathane Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane for my projects, and it is easily one of the best finishes I’ve found—though I use it a bit differently than most! I actually use this to gloss my books, and the results are fantastic. It creates a professional-grade, crystal-clear shine that completely elevates the look of the cover. The quality and durability are truly impressive. It forms a real, protective, and shiny layer that doesn't yellow over time, which is essential for keeping books looking sharp. One of the standout features is its thickness and leveling—the formula has the perfect consistency to go on smoothly without creating streaks or globs, and it self-levels beautifully for a glass-like, even finish. I’m also a huge fan of the fast dry time; it’s perfect for projects where you don’t want to wait around all day for a tacky finish to set. It does a great job of preserving the look while significantly enhancing the style with that high-end, glossy aesthetic. If you're looking for a product that is reliable, easy to apply, and offers a tough, beautiful finish, this is an excellent choice. ## Features - Protects indoor wood surfaces such as furniture, windows, cabinets, trim and more - Water based formula dries fast and cleans up with soap and water - Dries to the touch in 30 minutes with coverage up to 31.25 sq. ft., recoat after 2 hours - Durable formula provides outstanding stain and scratch resistance with excellent clarity - Gloss finish creates a polished and clean look ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B000FPCKBW | | Best Sellers Rank | #1,038 in Tools & Home Improvement ( See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement ) #1 in Household Polyurethanes, Shellac & Varnish | | Brand | Varathane | | Brand Name | Varathane | | Compatible Material | Wood | | Coverage | 340-370 sq ft/ gallon | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 8,195 Reviews | | Finish Type | Gloss | | Finish Types | Gloss | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00026748200069 | | Included Components | 1/2-Pint Wood Finish | | Item Form | Liquid | | Item Type Name | Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane | | Liquid Volume | 8 Fluid Ounces | | Manufacturer | Rust-Oleum | | Manufacturer Part Number | 200061H | | Manufacturer Warranty Description | Satisfaction Guaranteed | | Material | Polyurethane (PU) | | Material Type | Polyurethane (PU) | | Model Number | 200061H | | Recommended Uses For Product | Interior | | UPC | 026748200069 | | Unit Count | 8.0 Fluid Ounces | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Varathane - **Finish Type:** Gloss - **Liquid Volume:** 8 Fluid Ounces - **Material:** Polyurethane (PU) - **Recommended Uses For Product:** Interior ## Images ![Varathane Water-Based Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane | Interior Wood Protection | Fast Dry Time | Easy Clean Up | Gloss | Half Pint - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71A6c1AqnwL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Pattern, Color, Size** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: can this product be "wiped" on?** A: "Wiped on" is the only way I use Varathane now. I take a paper towel, dab it into the can, and carefully rub it onto the wood. I just did this with some repurposed cigar boxes the other night - came out beautiful. The finish seams to be a little more satiny than when you brush on the Varathane - the first project I did, I brushed on many coats and the pieces were a bit shiny. I prefer the wiped finish, it looks great on both of the Cigar Box Guitars that I've built and, as I mentioned, the two cigar boxes I just redid. You want to avoid putting on very thick layers, as well as leaving any gobs or lines of the finish, just like with anything else you're putting on wood. General rule of thumb with this stuff - if it looks white or creamy on the wood, it's too thick. Be careful sanding between layers, since the wiped on finish, for me, is often thinner than brushed on finish. Side note - The guitars only have Varathane on the neck. The wood for the necks came from an old dining room table, it's heavy and dense. The wood was stripped of finish, painted with a variety of colors and chemicals to reach a certain patina, and then I wiped on the Varathane. Came out beautiful, and the finish is holding up really well. **Q: I just started working with polymer clay. Should I get the gloss or the semi-gloss? Is there a difference between the finished product?** A: My wife works with polymer clay. Gloss gives depth and extra dimension to the projects. It also enhances metallic clays, such as gold and silver. She would never use satin or semi-gloss over metallics, because all they do is to dull the shine. Satin and semi-gloss are great for projects where a rough, unpolished, or "natural" look is desired, such as Steampunk projects. Hope this helps and best of luck with your creations! **Q: Is this appropriate for a kitchen table? And will it be cloudy when dry?** A: Not cloudy at all. Cloudy when it goes on but crystal clear dry. We used it on the cabinets and haven't had any issues with it chipping after being bumped or knocked. **Q: How hard is it when dry?** A: I would say comparable to a regular poly, but it doesn't seem to crack or flake if you dent wood with a thick coating.I've coated kid's toys and guitar necks in this. It holds up nicely.EDIT - Took a trip to Graceland with the nine-year-old. I made a Cigar Box Guitar for him and gave it to him in Graceland. At one point he wanted to do something special, so we scratched the back of the guitar's neck on the wall outside Graceland. The finish didn't tear or flake off, it just dented in like the rest of the wood. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ great for floors, for drawers and shelving, and for animal cages *by C***O on July 8, 2014* I have used this varnish for several applications, three of which I'll describe here. I've been varnishing my rat cage with this stuff for 20 years. I made the cage myself out of an unfinished pine bookcase to which I attached pine-framed screen doors. I originally got the varnish on the suggestion of a Home Depot associate who said that it was non-toxic when dry, which is essential for small animals who would be sleeping on the varnish and who like to chew things. This varnish takes some heavy punishment. Although my rats use litterboxes, as soon as the boxes are a bit dirty they start using the corners of the cage instead. That means that there is often urine (and all sorts of foods, from fruit to oatmeal to gravy) drying on and sticking to the varnish. This is not a problem for the varnish: it cleans right up with water and a damp paper towel. But to really clean the cage, I spray isopropyl alcohol on it every five to seven days and scrub with a towel. After about 2 or 3 years of this abuse, the varnish starts to wear thin in places and needs recoating. I never follow the directions, which say that I have to sand the existing varnish before recoating. I just thoroughly clean and dry the shelves and then paint on a couple more coats. I have never had the varnish flake or scratch under these conditions. I live in a very old house whose demise is imminent, so remodeling is always on-demand and slap-dash. Recently I had to get rid of some old carpet. In one room, the floor was literally nothing but bare plywood with lots of paint drips and plaster from earlier room remodeling. In the other room, there was a pretty parquet wood floor, which had been ruined by a VERY thorough application of carpet glue in ridges about 1/6in to 1/8in high. The house is not going to be standing much longer, so to get through the remaining 3 years I decided to use polyurethane--it was good enough for the rats, so why not for me? Last year, for the first room with plywood, I mostly followed the directions, which say to use a brush and make small strokes. This is supposed to avoid bubbling. I applied two coats without sanding in between. The results were outstanding: the splashes of paint and plaster on dark plywood under the high-gloss varnish give the room a sort of shabby industrial chic. I've single-handedly scooted the heavy (high efficiency) washing machine back and forth several times over the varnish and it didn't scratch, even in the places with raised blobs of paint or plaster underneath. It's been a year and even the high traffic spots between doors and the areas that get year-round sun look like they were just painted. This year I had to uncover that parquet floor with the glue on it. This room gets much less traffic (bedroom), so I cared a lot less about the paint bubbling. And I was in a big hurry to get it done. Painting a floor with a brush is not my idea of a fun home project. I decided to do what is absolutely forbidden by the instructions: use a foam roller to apply the varnish, right over the lines of glue, and over the mysterious 7-inch-wide bands of duct tape that ran across middle of the room. (Did not want to find out what was under that tape!) Because the glue lines were so high, I put down 4 coats of this very thin polyurethane varnish instead of just 2, so that I could more easily dust-mop the room. Again, fabulous results. I cannot find a single bubble in the paint, despite having hurriedly used a roller for all 4 coats. The varnish is adhering just fine to the duct tape; I think the tape will peel up before the varnish comes off it. The rough, scratchy ridges of glue are now smooth and comfortable to walk on. I like to think of the glue as a feature: no-slip flooring for when I wear slippery socks. I really liked using the roller to apply the paint. It's easy to see where you've just painted because the roller makes a much cloudier application than a brush, but still dries crystal clear. I care for my flooring much better than the rats care for theirs, so by the time this varnish starts to show wear, this house will have been demolished. The third application for this varnish is as a top coating over primer. On built-in shelving and inside drawers in this house, I have applied Kilz white mold-inhibiting primer, because a roof leak caused a mold problem. After fixing the roof, I spray treated all the drawers with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and grapeseed extract, then applied Kilz primer. I would have been happy to leave it at that, but primer is a terrible surface to deal with, sort of powdery in texture, impossible to slide anything like clothing on it. I haven't found any normal paints to be good for shelving, probably due to the humidity in this region--everything sticks to the paint and it gets peeled off the shelves. So, given the great results with the rat cage, I decided to try varathane. On top of the single coat of Kilz, I applied a single coat of varathane. All problems solved. The mold has not returned after 6 years, and the surfaces of the drawers and shelves are still shiny and slick. EXCELLENT product. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Secret to Perfect Book Preservation and High-Gloss Finishes *by N***E on March 6, 2026* I’ve been using Varathane Crystal-Clear Ultimate Polyurethane for my projects, and it is easily one of the best finishes I’ve found—though I use it a bit differently than most! I actually use this to gloss my books, and the results are fantastic. It creates a professional-grade, crystal-clear shine that completely elevates the look of the cover. The quality and durability are truly impressive. It forms a real, protective, and shiny layer that doesn't yellow over time, which is essential for keeping books looking sharp. One of the standout features is its thickness and leveling—the formula has the perfect consistency to go on smoothly without creating streaks or globs, and it self-levels beautifully for a glass-like, even finish. I’m also a huge fan of the fast dry time; it’s perfect for projects where you don’t want to wait around all day for a tacky finish to set. It does a great job of preserving the look while significantly enhancing the style with that high-end, glossy aesthetic. If you're looking for a product that is reliable, easy to apply, and offers a tough, beautiful finish, this is an excellent choice. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect Matte Finish *by E***G on October 30, 2025* Amazing product, amazing results! I recently refinished a coffee table with a matte finish paint and did not want a semi-gloss, eggshell or satin finish. It took some time to find this, but I am ecstatic with it! It was super easy to apply, dried quickly and looks great. ## Frequently Bought Together - Varathane 200061H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane, Half Pint, Gloss - Pro Grade, Paint Brushes, 5-Piece, Paint Brush Set: Flat & Angle Brushes for Latex and Oil Paints, Stains, Interior & Exterior Home Improvement - Pro Grade Paint Brush Set - 3-Pack - 2" Angle Brushes for All Latex and Oil Paints & Stains - Home Improvement - Interior & Exterior Use --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/2119006-varathane-water-based-crystal-clear-ultimate-polyurethane-interior-wood-protection](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/2119006-varathane-water-based-crystal-clear-ultimate-polyurethane-interior-wood-protection) --- *Product available on Desertcart Panama* *Store origin: PA* *Last updated: 2026-04-22*