Looking for the best topcoats to protect painted furniture? Get fast answers to the best products and techniques that will keep your projects beautiful, durable, and lasting for years.
Breathing new life into a piece of furniture is one of the best ways to decorate your home and make it more functional. It’s a really fun and a slightly addicting hobby, to be sure! But now that you have that piece that shows your unique style, what is the best way to protect it?
One of the most common worries that I see from clients, friends, and readers is about the durability of any painted project. How do I protect my painted furniture? Can I scrub it? Will it show fingerprints or smudges? These are all very valid questions that we will be giving you the shortcut answer to!
Note: New products have come on the market in recent years and I have updated my recommendations for 2021 after experience with dozens of painted projects for clients and myself.
Does Painted Furniture need a Top coat?
My house is rowdy with boys, large dogs, and general mayhem around the clock. Feet on furniture and loud bangs are a pretty normal occurrence. Although no finish is going to be bullet proof, a durable top coat is going to make it last for years.
I do not always use a topcoat as some paints are very durable on their own. For example, my Fusion Mineral Painted Entertainment Center does not have a topcoat. There are a few instances, however, that I highly recommend a topcoat:
- High traffic pieces. Particularly dining tables, coffee tables, desks, end tables, and cabinets as these are all used often and subject to wear and tear.
- Dark or Black Paint colors. Dark colors tend to show smudges, fingerprints, and dust more easily. I want to be able to wipe those surfaces, so I love that poly provides that extra protection that makes surfaces scrubbable.
- Chalk Paint. Chalk paint is blessed with a velvety feel that many love. However, chalk paint is more prone to stains and marks since it has the least smooth sheen.
- Kitchens and Bathrooms. Generally, I highly recommend topcoats for pieces specifically in kitchens and bathrooms because of the potential for water exposure and high humidity.
Types of Top Coats
There are essentially two kinds of protecting top coats for furniture projects: wax and water-based polyurethane. Epoxy or resin is sometimes used but that’s a whole different subject. With water-based polyurethane, you may see companies describe them as water-borne, polycrylic, polyacrylic, or acrylic resin. Without giving a chemistry lesson, we are grouping them all under water-based.
I could write whole articles dedicated to the differences between wax and water based polyurethane, but for the purposes of this article, water-based polyurethane provides much more durability and protection over time than wax does.
That isn’t to say that you should always use a polyurethane however. Wax provides an aesthetic that Poly cannot match. You can see our Raw Finish Table makeover to best explain. Also, wax can be used over water-based poly! I would highly recommend a flat or low sheen water-based polyurethane, and the wax must be the last coat.
A Word About Sheen Changes
In the below picture, I painted two side tables for a friend using Country Chic Chalk Paint in Midnight Blue. I did warn her of one thing…a topcoat will change the sheen.
In the photo above, the right-side table has no topcoat on it, while the left side is sprayed in two coats of Benjamin Moore Polyacrylic in Satin.
How much of a change depends on which brand you use and sheen. However, even a flat topcoat on top of a flat paint will slightly deepen the color.
Best Water-Based Polyurethanes for Furniture
You will definitely want to read the pros and cons of each because different projects require different topcoats, but below is a overview to understand my recommendations.
- Best Overall (Sprayer): Benjamin Moore Advance Stays Clear
- Smoothest Brush Finish: Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane
- Best Budget: Minwax Polyacrylic Spray
- Chalk Paint Best Matte Finish: General Finishes Flat Out Flat
I have used many other types of clear coats and I would like to list why they aren’t included in my recommendations. I get a lot of questions about these and this is my personal experience so other’s may disagree.
- Fusion Mineral Tough Coat: I hate having to wait 30 minutes to mix and I have had some problems with streaking.
- Crystalac Water Based Polyurethane: One of my dark pieces developed water rings, and it not my favorite sheen.
- Anything Oil Based: DO NOT USE! These tend to create a yellow haze.
- Bona Waterborne Traffic HD: This is technically a floor polyurethane and probably the best on the market for that. I looooved it for a floor and staircase I stained. However, I have not tested it long enough over painted surfaces to see if it ambers over time. Same with Bona Mega One Crystal Clear.
Choose the Right Polyurethane
Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane
A beautiful, rock hard finish that lasts. The best brush finish of all that I have tested, it lays smooth without brush strokes and is low VOC for indoor use.
Pros:
- As good a durability as Stays Clear.
- One of the easier ones to find at your local Home Depot.
- Several Sheens including Matte, Satin, Semi-gloss, and Gloss
- Easiest to brush without leaving brush marks.
- The Best Brush finish polyurethane I have tried.
- It also can be sprayed. I have used it a few times but one of the times that I sprayed the satin with a HVLP sprayer (air powered) and it turned into a powdery, almost cloudy finish.
Cons:
- Bubbles can be an issue (sometimes). If you are careful and do this immediately, you can touch the bubbles with a tooth pick or something sharp to pop them. You should use a quality brush and don’t rake off the excess from your brush back into the can. It helps to use a different can and pour that can back in when finished.
- Dries very fast which can make brush strokes an issue because it sets so fast.
- Stays Clear still wins for me with a paint sprayer.
Example:
You can see more details about this post about How To Paint a Dresser. The dresser is painted in Fusion Mineral Little Whale with Varathane Polyurethane in Flat.
Benjamin Moore Stays Clear
My personal favorite for a satin/eggshell sheen (called low lustre). It’s actually made for painted floors, so it’s durability is top-tier! The main problem is that I find it can only be sprayed (but that spray is unmatched in finish).
Pros:
- Best durability I have every seen.
- I have used this on several projects with many different paints (including latex because…long story) and it has NEVER yellowed.
- Several sheens including flat, low lustre, and high gloss. I have not tried the flat but I want to.
Cons:
- It can be brushed, but it is much better thinned by 10% and used with a paint sprayer.
- Generally, has a very long cure time.
- Slightly harder to find (my Benjamin Moore Store only carries gallon size) and is expensive.
- Can only be purchased at a Benjamin Moore Store.
Example:
This cerused table was top coated with Benjamin Moore Stays Clear. I put several coats on this since it is a dining room table, but you can see the sheen on the base. Heavier or more coats will have a longer cure time. For example, with cabinets I know they are cured when I can shut the door for 24 hours without sticking.
General Finishes Flat Out Flat
I do like this one, especially with a paint sprayer. For my projects, it is the best and most flat sheen option that I have used. It isn’t quite as durable as the High Performance Polyurethane (which does have a flat option) or the ultra-durable Enduro Clear Poly.
Pros:
- Beautiful product that can be brushed or sprayed.
- The sheen tends to be more matte than other polys that I have tried.
- They also have a High-Performance Polyurethane that is very good quality with even more durability.
Cons:
- Most Expensive Brand.
- I don’t find myself reaching as much for this with clients because many of them prefer an eggshell sheen rather than a true flat.
Example:
This chalk painted desk was sprayed General Finishes High Performance Flat as a topcoat.
Minwax Water Based Polycrylic
The best budget option for painting your piece. And here it is: Minwax Polycrylic. It comes in both a spray can and a paint can, which can be easily brushed or sprayed.
However, I will give a caution to you. Especially with white or pale colors, I have read about and personally seen this product turn yellow, usually with cheaper brands of paint. By far, most users of this product have not seen a problem, so I would do a test on a scrap piece of wood and let it sit for a few days before finishing your piece.
Pros:
- Comes in satin, semi-gloss, and flat.
- Most inexpensive option.
- Easy to find in stores.
Cons:
- I have personally seen this product turn yellow and streaky over white paint.
- Not as durable as other brands.
- I did have an issue once where it peeled off the paint the next day.
Example:
This antique door was a fun project for a client! She wanted to preserve the chippy paint style without more chips of paint all over her floor. We sprayed Minwax Polycrylic (to stiffen and stick the peeling paint) and then used a brush gently to apply more layers of Fusion Mineral Tough Coat (which won’t ever yellow or amber).
Best Practices for Applying Polyurethane
Several products will do the job flawlessly if you follow the instructions. There are a few best practices to help you nail the process.
- Completely stir the poly before use and occasionally during application to keep the ingredients in suspension. Be careful not to incorporate bubbles while stirring.
- Use a high quality paint brush or paint sprayer.
- Brush or wipe quickly in the same direction one end to the other. Do Not back-brush if the product is drying.
- It is generally not necessary to sand between coats, unless you have imperfections which can be sanded out.
- As with any paint project, do not use in high (>80%) or very low humidity.
- Avoid direct sunlight when applying.
- Allow the piece to fully cure before setting items on it such as heavy lamps or other painted materials.
Want to Learn more about Painting Furniture? Check out these Guides:
- Best Navy Cabinet Colors
- The Best Paints for Cabinets and Furniture
- Removing Wood Grain for Painted Furniture
- Cerusing Technique on a Dining Room Table
- The best Paint for High Traffic Furniture and No top coat
- How to Paint a Bathroom Vanity
- 9 Amazing Furniture Projects for your Inspiration
FAQs
Polyurethane cannot bond properly to a piece of furniture that has had wax applied to it. The wax must be stripped entirely, usually with chemical strippers.
General Finish’s High-Performance Top Coat in Flat Finish is the best chalk paint topcoat because it preserves the look, feel and color of milk paint and chalk paint while increasing the durability dramatically.
A quick way to tell if your polyurethane is truely water resistant is to leave out a glass of ice water on a test surface for a few hours to overnight. If a water ring shows up, the surface isn’t entirely sealed.
When chalk paint isn’t protected with a top coat, it is prone to easily scratching and stains from spills. It also is harder to clean.
Have fun with your project! Feel free to ask any questions or give your experience with these products in the comments below.
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Anna says
Hi! Great article and very informative. I recently had a dresser and a bed frame painted with Benjamin Moore paint and the girl who did it finished it off with a coat of wax in matte. I had been hoping for more of a semi gloss. My question is, is it possible to put either a coat of more glossy wax over the top or could I also go with a semi gloss polyurethane? My only concern about the current matte wax is that it will not last as long and may not be as easily cleaned. Thanks so much!
Rachel says
Hi Anna, what a bummer. Sheen is one of the first questions I always ask clients, so I am so sorry for that your project didn’t turn out as you hoped. Unfortunately, you are faced with a challenging situation and, without seeing the piece, and knowing the products used, I can’t guarantee the outcome you want. The problem is that nothing can ever be put over wax – not poly, not paint, or even primer in most cases. In fact, if you wanted to refinish the piece again at some point, you would probably have to strip it chemically. The issue is that nothing truly bonds to wax. That being said, you could try a glossier wax, like a polishing wax, and that is probably your safest bet. However, and this is just my personal opinion, it could make imperfections more noticeable. Imperfections isn’t the right word, more like brush strokes or any unevenness. Sheen changes can also change the depth of color, making colors appear richer or darker than before. I would seriously consider testing a scrap piece or a place that isn’t noticeable on the bed and dresser before deciding to through with it. However, the good news is that if she used BM cabinet paint, the paint itself is very durable and should not have too many problems keeping it clean. The wax should harden and I use a lint free cloth to clean all of my pieces. I tend to stay away from furniture polishes on my painted furniture. I wish I could give better advice and better news.
Peggy Ondrus says
Wow, this site is amazing! Thank you so much! I am currently painting my kitchen cupboards cream. I will definitely use the Stays Clear and will not worry about it yellowing. I chalked painted my island last year and used MinWax polyurethane and it did turn yellow. I had to repaint and then I used Rustoleum’s chalk paint topcoat and it actually worked really well but it will cost me a fortune
to buy my suppy in quart cans.
Just wondering what you recommend. It looks like 3 coats will have to do the job of chalkpaint. How long do I leave between coats of chalk paint? Should I brush or roll? A paint sprayer sounds scary and messy. How long should I let it cure before I apply Stays clear?
And how long should I wait before I apply my second coat of Stays Clear? And how many coats would you recommend of Stays Clear on kitchen cupboards? Would 2 coats suffice?
Rachel says
Hi! Thank you for your kind words and I totally understand about a sprayer being scary and messy. There is definitely a learning curve, but one coat for 10-15 cabinet doors takes less than 30 minutes so that’s nice. What brand of chalk paint you use determines whether it is best to be brushed or rolled. I would brush in tight spaces that can’t be rolled but to use a roller for the majority. It is faster and you won’t have as many brush strokes. I actually have a post on painting furniture without brush marks here. My personal recommendation is to use a smaller sized microfiber roller for the smoothest finish. Sometimes the dense foam rollers can leave bubbles in certain paints. However, brushes do give a hand-painted vintage style, which some of my clients like so I have used brushes solely before.
Different brands of chalk paints have different times between coats, and the can should say on it how long to wait. I usually give everything a few days in low humidity before adding Stays Clear. I mostly want to make sure that any paint has had a chance to out-gas (remove any fumes basically) before sealing it. For the stays clear, a microfiber roller works well and a brush if you don’t want to spray. The biggest thing here is to make sure that you don’t try to touch up the stays clear after it becomes tacky. I lay it on quickly and smooth it out in one stroke end to end. Here is a great video on painting techniques.(the video is for Fusion Mineral Paint which I love, but the techniques are applicable to any paint and brush. You can skip the first 1:00 because you don’t necessarily need that brush). Two coats of stays clear would suffice, if brushing, possibly even one depending on how thickly it goes on during your coat. I try to keep my coats pretty thin for all paints and top coats to create a smoother finish and no drips. My kitchen island where we eat all of our meals has three sprayed coats for extra protection (spraying is always thinner than brushing) and it looks brand new when I clean all of the kick prints and spills off of it. I hope that answers your questions! Good luck with your project!
Adrian says
Hi, I´m new to the world of painting and finishing wood but I just wanted to say that this is the best and most thorough explanation I’ve read so far on this subject. Thanks so much!
Rachel says
Oh, thank you so much! We have a lot of articles on refinishing furniture because I have done many pieces. If you ever have a question or need some advice, feel free to comment or send me an email. It may take a few days as I am always in the middle of one or four DIY projects, but I always answer. Thank you again!
Kristy Savov says
Hi,
I love your blog! I have a question, I re-stained and finished a table top with 5 coats of Minwax Polyacrilic and it turned out great. However I’m noticing I have trouble taking care of it. I wiped it down with a damp rag (this was about 2 weeks after finishing) and now it’s looking kind of patchy/streaky where I wiped it? Help! I really love refinishing furniture and would one day love to turn my hobby into a career but I wouldn’t want this to happen to a potential client. How do you care for polyacrilic?
Rachel says
Hi Kristy. I am so sorry this happened to you, but take heart, I don’t think you did anything wrong. In fact, Minwax polycrylic is designed to be cleaned and wiped with a damp rag. Although I use a different product generally, I have even used things like green scrubby pads to get dirt off of top coated furniture. Obviously, something is happening though. The first thing I would try would be to clean it again with a fresh, slightly damp cloth making sure that it wasn’t some sort of residue left behind. No abrasive cleaners, but a tiny bit of mild dish soap should be fine. If that doesn’t fix it, it is possible that the minwax is reacting to the stain somehow. Polycrylic is designed for use with Minwax water based stains. I have personally seen your product turn streaky, but that was over paint products. If you used a oil-based or oil-modified stain or sometimes even a different brand, this scenario is possible. Unless you used a very light stain, I doubt that it is tannins (coloring like you see in wood knots) leeching into the poly. I hope that helps and let me know if you are able to figure it out!
Kristy Savov says
Thank you so much for your reply!! Wow that is crazy, I didnt even think about that! In his perticular instance, I did not use stain. I bleached the wood in the sun and then white washed it with a wash made from water and regular water based latex paint. I will definitely keep this in mind. I really appreciate your help!
Roberta Isaac says
hi. I just spray painted my kitchen table and chair set with Rust-Oleum satin finish black. I did put two Rust-Oleum coating layer on top. I’m finding that the black is very dusty on the surfaces of the table and the bench and I also want to protect the top of the table more so after we use it I can actually wash it with a washcloth. What can I put on that to make it more protected?
Rachel says
Hi Roberta! Yes, black is always a problem with dust. I am not sure if you spray painted it with Rustoleum or used a furniture paint (they have tons of products). Either way, any of the above products should work fine with it. You won’t have any worries of turning yellow on black, but I would stick to a satin finish poly since you have and seem to like the satin finish.
Juli says
Hi Rachel, I painted my bathroom vanity with mineral fusion soap stone. I am struggling putting a top coat on it. I like the satin sheen, I tried the Polycrylic satin and i could see brush marks. I tried doing a light sanding so I could apply a second coat, but the sanding changed the color. What product would you suggest and how do I apply it when spraying is not an option? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Juli
Rachel says
Oh no! Soap stone is such a beautiful color. Have you tried Fusion Mineral’s tough coat? Most top coats aren’t great with brushes imo unless you water them down slightly, and that can be a little tricky to get just right. I would try rolling the topcoat on with a microfiber roller if you can and that will cut down on brush strokes. Minwax also makes a spray polycrylic in a can. I’ve recently used it on a pantry door with good success (The door was very chippy antique paint, and the client loves that look, so I used it to help the remaining chips stay put). Good luck with your project!
Mori Nowls says
Hi, Just painted bedroom side table with Fusion Mineral paint in Chocolate. I wanted more of a satin finish so I sprayed with minwax Polycrylic finish. I got white streaks in finish. Sanded and gave it another coat of paint. My question is I have Fusion tough coat that I used on white coffee table, but Fusion doesn’t recommend it for dark colors. I also have a can of GF Arm-R-Seal oil and urethane. I read that these products have zinc oxide in them and also may streak. Would you suggest regular poly in satin finish or try one of these.
Rachel says
I admit that I am not very familiar with General Finishes Arm-R-Seal, although it appears to be a good varnish for stain, not paint. So I wouldn’t recommend that. In your case, I would advise testing the tough coat on a piece of scrap wood painted with the Chocolate paint. That way you don’t have to sand and redo if it fails. To be completely honest, since you want a satin finish, my favorite super-durable satin paint is Benjamin Moore’s Advance Alkyd Paint. It’s made for high traffic areas, doesn’t require a top-coat, and can be brushed on pretty well. I talk more about how I decide what paints to use in this post. I have my stair hand rails painted in it, and I have been very impressed with how well they are holding up.
Stacy says
Hi! Thanks so much for the great advice! The problem I’m running in to with figuring out which products to use is we are using our Lowes credit card to do our renovations. We’ve renovated our living room, pulling up the old carpet and refinishing the 60-year-old hardwood floors underneath. Painting, new light fixtures, new baseboard, the works. Now, I’m on to the furniture. I’ve got my grandparents’ old dining set that I am wanting to paint white with chalk paint and of course, have the most durable protection on it possible without changing the color. What products would you recommend for this project that can be purchased at Lowes?
Rachel says
The best that I know of for a top coat poly is minwax that is sold at Lowe’s usually. The paint department may have a newer product in your area, but that has been my budget go-to. The only worry is painting something in white or light colors as I have seen it turn certain paint brands yellow. I would just test a small board with the chalk paint and check first. If you are looking for chalk paint, I have a pretty good chalk paint recipe here: (also very budget friendly)
Anna says
I am so thankful that you are choosing to share your wealth of information with everyone. At the risk of sounding completely ignorant (self confession- I am!) can you please tell me about sanding? I have a desk- chalk painted a dark color. It’s not a masterpiece- I’m really just trying to learn to do things correctly- and I will eventually get another desk. I purchased flat water based poly. I’ve used poly before: spar and some other items but apparently never read the directions- which would have been a good start! I never sanded… so do I sand the paint first? Then do a light coat of poly and sand again? I’m working on not being so heavy handed and rushed- I have a sander – that’s been hidden from me as I tend to oversamd everything. I get it now- I think? I would be sanding lightly, right? I just wondered if chalk paint made a difference in the poly application procedure and if it’s standard to sand prior to initial poly application. I’m not sure what or why I’m sanding?
Rachel says
Sounds like you are doing great and have a wealth of experience actually! You do not need to sand the paint to add the poly – unless their are oils or dirt that you can’t easily get off and then I would very lightly sand just to get that off the top surface. I never sand the final coat of paint – unless I’m distressing that is. I assume your piece has been sitting a while, so you may want to look into how you can clean it without damaging the paint, before applying the poly. The only reason to ever sand paint is to keep it smooth. You don’t even need to sand between layers of paint although I have seen it recommended by other bloggers (and I actually have no idea why?) You also don’t NEEEEED to sand between coats of poly, if you think it’s smooth enough to your liking. Brush strokes over brush strokes can sometimes get out of hand, but I rarely see that with the application type you are talking about. I would only recommend sanding after a few coats if you were putting something like 5-7 coats of poly on and you wanted a glass-like gloss to the surface. Chalk paint doesn’t have any effect on the procedure really. I hope that makes sense. In short, skip the sanding unless you have some specific reason mentioned above. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Mary says
Hello!
This is by FAR the most useful post on finishes I’ve found & I have done a LOT of searching, so THANKS!
Here is my dilemma, I originally painted my Craigslist cabinets white with chalk paint. I waxed them but wasn’t thrilled with the waxing process & thought it was kind of a pain in the….
My house also has rowdy boys (4 in fact) and large dogs plus we live in the country and white cabinets proved to be a HORRIBLE choice!
I recently started repainting them using French Linen. Then I used a satin polyurethane and applied 3 coats.
I am NOT happy with the satin sheen. My cabinets look too streaky & shiny during certain times of the day but I’m worried that using a matte or flat polyurethane won’t provide the “cleanability” and durability that is necessary for kitchen cabinets!
Any advice, opinions or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Rachel says
Thank you so much for your comment! What a nightmare, but I totally feel you on living with boys. The bottom white dresser in this post has been in my son’s room for two years and although he put a very large gash in the top, it is otherwise good as new. And he is ROUGH on furniture. That’s why I love poly! I can’t imagine trying to paint cabinets again. What a pain!
Anyways, there are a few ways to get over the streakiness. At first, it sounds like you brushed on the satin poly, but using a sprayer produces much more even results. Sprayers do have a bit of a learning curve to them, and take some testing to get used to, but they are faster, more even, and I can’t imagine being without one for many of my large projects. An entire kitchen of cabinet doors takes maybe 15-20 minutes per coat. Here is the sprayer that I recommend generally, if your interested. However, there are projects that I brush/roller as well because I don’t want to do the cleanup of a sprayer or overspray may be an issue.
You don’t have to worry as much about the durability based on sheen. Polyacrylic is essentially coating your paint in plastic. Regardless of sheen, it will still be scrubbable and durable. It’s not any less durable, although matte sheen has more tiny pits or grooves, which gives it the matte look. It’s the same reason that high-gloss sheen feel slick; there are no pits. With matte, things like grease might be a little more water to get residue out of the pits, but it’s not necessary to scrub any harder. I hope that makes sense. While I would generally avoid a green scrubby pad, I painted our kitchen island where we eat every meal (including my sweet son, who for the life of me, can’t eat over the plate!), and I’ve cleaned it with a soft rag and no issues whatsoever. Also, poly (unlike wax) almost never stains. So that dried on tomato sauce from a month ago is no worry.
I hope that helps and feel free to ask anything else you like!
Alpha says
Thank you for the educational post. I painted my laminate kitchen countertops with Valspar Chalkboard paint (in black) after priming with Zinsser water-based mold-killing primer. I love the matte finish. Do you you recommend a protective topcoat? If so, which one will maintain the matte finish without yellowing (and be applied with a brush or roller)?
Rachel says
I cannot be sure of the safety of any of these product for food prep surfaces. Most countertop paints and coatings are epoxy based, like this one from Rustoleum, so I would start researching something like that. Good luck with your project!
Tara Forgette says
Thank you so much for your help on this issue and all the experiments you’ve tried! Very few people have advice on this particular subject of topcoats over painted things (that isn’t wax). We just painted some doors in our church (high traffic) a flat exterior alkaline paint but definitely need some added protection (also it’s an almost black color, and as you mentioned, shows fingerprints and stuff like that quite easily). We will be ordering the General Finish in Semi-gloss from Amazon as it looks like an amazing product and the Benjamin Moore paint (also you mentioned) is not available in our area. I hope to give you good news in a week on how we did! I look forward to more advice and tips from you as I am an experienced painter and passionate “re-doer” of furniture. I hope to start my own little side business one day when my kids are older!
Side note, I have only used wax before (and definitely experienced the lack of durability though its gorgeous) and Maison Blanche Paint Company’s Matte Varnish. I love this company and all their vintage inspired paints (sold at an amazing little resale shop here in town). It works extremely well but takes three coats for real durability and is very very thin thus a bit difficult to apply. I’ve learned though and am looking for a cheaper product and hope General Finish is it (unbelievably it IS cheaper than what I’m currently using lol)!
Thanks again!
Rachel says
Yes, do let me know how it goes! I am obsessed with black and dark colored doors lately, so I bet it is beautiful. I have actually never heard of Maison Blanche, but their website has some lovely colors and projects. My goodness, it is expensive though! I am actually publishing a post soon on my favorite paints for furniture, but if you are looking for some alternatives, I suggest checking out Fusion Mineral paint or Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. Every paint has their own style and these two match what I like depending on what look I am going for. I also have several other lines that I like for specific projects.
Erica says
Hi! I was wondering, how long after painting the furniture do you add the poly? Do you have to wait for the furniture to cure first?
Rachel says
Hi Erica! Great question. No, you don’t need to wait for it to cure. I normally wait a few days to allow to paint to dry, if it’s high humidity outside. But I have also added the poly coat the next day with certain fast dry paints like chalk paint or Fusion mineral.
Sacha says
Hi, I’ve read in a few different places that water-based polyurethane shouldn’t be used over matte latex paint I’m curious what your experience is with this? Thanks!
Rachel says
I have never had a problem with putting water-based polyurethane over any type of paint, including latex. Water-Based Polyurethane is essentially a plastic coating. Also, lower sheen paints are easier to bond things on top of. However, matte sheen does tend to stain easier so maybe they are referring to a problem with yellowing? My main concern here would not be with the top coat, but with the quality of paint used and application. For example, I have often dealt with friends and clients who made the mistake of painting their cabinets/furniture with latex wall paint. They are dismayed when the paint is peeling or scratching and ask if adding a top coat will fix the issue. While adding a topcoat would improve the durability, it won’t truly “fix” the problem, which is bad paint. I hope that helps, but if you have a specific project or issue in mind, feel free to comment or email me at Rachel {@} cravingsomecreativity.com and I can give more targeted advice if you need it.
Angelika Kucki says
Hi! I am spray painting a hutch black and am using rustoleum 2X in semi gloss. I prepped the piece, spray painted it, sanded it with a fine sandpaper and repainted it. The problem I am seeing is that when I wipe it, for test purposes, with a paper towel, it tends to catch the little fluff from the paper towel and its hard to remove those little pieces I want the piece to be easily wipeable. Would you recommend the poly topcoat? Thank you for the great article!
Rachel says
Hi! I have a few pieces painted with Rust-Oleum products and I am surprised that the paper towels are catching on the paint. I usually wipe my outdoor furniture and my mini-fridge with a damp lint-free towel or sponge. Part of me wonders if your paint is fully cured or if dust got into the paint before drying, but I am not sure. I have a contact at Rust-Oleum and I will ask for their guidance so that I can get the best answer.
Margie says
Hi…I used a flat aqua color on my entertainment ctr. and thinking it could use a little sheen but just in certain areas. What do you suggest I use? Thank you.
Rachel says
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that any change in sheen will deepen the color, if you like that look. If you aren’t worried about durability, you could try a wax sealer like Any Howard’s Clear Wax. That would give you just a bit of sheen and control over how it is used. It will also highlight just those areas you apply it, and blend in well without changing the color. However, if you haven’t worked with wax before, I don’t generally recommend it for a few reasons. Depending on the style of the piece you are going for, it can give it an antique look with a little uneven coverage. It is also hard to clean for things like kitchen cabinets. That isn’t to discourage, because I do use wax for specific projects. I would recommend watching a few videos to see if that’s the look you want to go with. If wax isn’t right, I would probably go with a wipe-on poly unless you are doing large, flat areas like the top of the entertainment center. Wipe-on polys can sometimes streak. I hope that helps!
Alyssa says
Hey! I just used the fusion paint on two pieces for our nursery. I’m trying to figure out what to use to protect them that will be quick and easy (as much as possible) as my husband will have to do this part. I saw that you don’t normally use something on top of the fusion paint. Why is that? I’m wondering if I still should since these pieces in our nursery will see a lot of traffic. Thanks!
Rachel says
Great question! You are right, I have several pieces in Fusion that do not have any kind of top coat on them. I don’t worry as much about a topcoat with Fusion because I can clean them without taking any paint off and because it’s been very durable even against my 8 year old son. All of those, however, are low traffic pieces (i.e. an entertainment center, dresser, etc.) However, I have did use a top coat poly with Fusion on a kitchen dining table and a kid’s bathroom vanity. That is probably the highest traffics piece you can imagine with food stains, plate scrapes, dried-on toothpaste, etc. You can see it here. For a nursery, I would be careful of two things. The first is anything the child may put their mouths on would probably determine what topcoat I used. For most pieces, like the changing table and dresser I would probably leave them as is and they should be fine. Any of the topcoats that I list would work great though. It mostly depends on what you have readily available to you and what sheen you want.
Alyssa says
Thank you SO much for this information! So helpful. I used the paint on a dresser and changing table. So I think I’ll actually not use anything top coat wise on them! I’d rather not use a “toxic” topcoat on nursery furniture anyway, but thought I had to use one in order for it to function well I guess? Seriously appreciate this post and your comment back! Thanks!