Beautifies With Scratch and Stain Resistant Finish
Polyurethane protects wood projects such as furniture, crafts and trim. Protective clear coat and sealer provides a scratch resistant surface on interior wood.
Creating flawless finishes for over 60 years
Expert wood finishing quality since 1958 for the professional, DIY fixer upper, furniture maker or home restoration project.
Triple Thick Formula for One Coat Coverage
Available in Water-Base, Oil-Base and Triple Thick Polyurethane with Satin, Gloss and Semi-Gloss sheens for custom project needs.
Use polyurethane for protecting tables, chairs, cabinets and furniture
Apply Polyurethane to Wood
Products like Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane make wood stain projects fast
Available in Matte, Gloss, Satin and Semi-Gloss
Water-based poly features low odor and easy soap and water clean up.
Varathane Ultimate Water-Based Polyurethane
Crystal clear, non-yellow finish offers protective coating over indoor surfaces including tables, shelves and more.
Available in Matte, Gloss, Satin and Semi-Gloss
Oil-based polyurethane creates a warm amber glow that deepens over time. Golden tone highlights wood grain.
Varathane Ultimate Oil-Based Polyurethane
Durable poly sealer offers superior scratch and stain resistance for delicate furniture and stained wood.
Available in Matte, Gloss, Satin and Semi-Gloss
Triple thick poly top coat protects 3X faster than traditional polyurethane. Advanced durability in one coat saves time.
Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane
Seal and protect surfaces with a premium, long lasting finish. Ultimate protection for stained or natural wood.
Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane is the most durable finish for protecting wood surfaces. Easily covers bare and stained wood surfaces. Easy to use formula.
Fast drying formula allows additional coats to be applied after just 2 hours
Coverage up to 40 sq. ft. for 1/2 pt. and 150 sq. ft. for quarts
Matte sheen adds a flat, non-reflective finish to the wood's surface
Satisfaction guaranteed for full refund of purchase price
Questions & Answers
59Questions
Q:When are you going to get this back in stock? This is the only product that works the best for my...
by|May 27, 2021
1 Answer
Answer This Question
A:Â We hate to disappoint, Lars, but Rust-Oleum Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane has been discontinued.
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
by|May 28, 2021
Q:can this be used over painted wood - is it scuff protection
by|Sep 5, 2020
3 Answers
Answer This Question
A:Â Yes. I've used this over painted wood many, many times. Once cured, it's scuff resistant and very durable. It's stain resistant if cleaned in a reasonable time frame. It's not recommended for floors but for regular painted surfaces, once cured, works beautifully. The finish is smooth, soft to the touch and strong. This is my favorite topcoat for my painted or stained projects - or even just to seal raw wood.
by|Sep 7, 2020
A: Yes! I’ve used this over painted wood many, many times with great success. Not only does it have the perfect sheen and softest feel, it gives fantastic protection. Once applied, use the piece lightly for the first 30 days so that it can fully cure. After that, it’s very hard and scuff protective. It seems to harden even more as more time goes by. This topcoat has never let me down. I typically apply 3 thin coats with a Detailers Choice Applicator Sponge- found here at HD in the automotive detailing department. That’s the fastest and easiest way ever to apply a topcoat that’s flash and streak- free.
by|May 30, 2021
A:Â Great question! Yes, Rust-Oleum Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane can be used on painted wood and will offer scuff resistance. You will want to ensure the paint is dry and in good, sound condition prior to application.
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
by|Sep 8, 2020
Q:I see this product is out of stock for many days now...is it discontinued? if not, when do you ex...
by|May 28, 2020
2 Answers
Answer This Question
A:Â I requested Home Depot let me know when it was available again. Got an email this week that it was now in stock so I just ordered mine.
by|May 31, 2020
A:Â Hi Amira, our Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane is now going to be our Varathane Ultimate Water-Based Matte Polyurethane: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Clear-Matte-Water-Based-Interior-Polyurethane-262074/305587650 - Rust-Oleum Product Support 2
by|Jun 2, 2020
Q:Can this be applied with a HVLP spray gun?
by|Mar 31, 2020
6 Answers
Answer This Question
A:Â No, this is not recommended to be applied with an HVLP spray gun.
by|Mar 31, 2020
A:Â It's thin enough so I think you can. I have only brushed it on but am in the process of building bedroom suit and plan to try spraying this finish.
by|Apr 2, 2020
A:Â Yes it can be applied with a spray gun.
by|Apr 2, 2020
A:Â Happy to clear things up, Patrick! Since this product dries so quickly, we do not recommend applying Rust-Oleum Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane with a spray gun. Spraying can likely cause dry spray on the surface.
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
by|Mar 31, 2020
A:Â Yes! No need to thin. I use a Graco Finish Pro HVLP. The finish is beautiful and consistent.
by|Apr 1, 2020
A:Â Yes, it sprays beautifully.
by|Apr 2, 2020
Showing 1-4 of 59
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5
(98)
4.5
out of 98 reviews
83% recommend this product
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Showing 1-10 of 98 reviews
Nov 23, 2018
Kept my cabinets looking velvety!
I used this over the weathered wood accelerator in order to attempt to keep it looking velvety and not shiny. It did exactly what I wanted with next to no color change (maybe made it a TAD darker but in a good way). Has held up on our heavily used kitchen cabinets. No scratches, no fingerprints, no bubbles, no yellowing. 100% awesome. My ONLY complaint is that I used to be able to find it easily in store, summer of 2017 and now none of the Home Depots carry them in store anymore so I don't know what's up with that. It's irritating though.
by
Recommended
Apr 11, 2017
Water based product achieved the look my customer was looking for. The finish really is print res...
Water based product achieved the look my customer was looking for. The finish really is print resistant. Love this feature. It was easy to use and easy to clean up.
by
Verified Purchase
Recommended
2 found this review helpful
Mar 8, 2017
I used this on the posts of a bed
I used this on Ash posts on a bed made in my shop. The product goes on smoothly using a bristle brush. If the surface is smooth to begin with the finish is smooth when dry and it dries quickly. I was able to complete this piece with three coats and there's a lot of product left. The can comes with tabs to keep it tightly closed which may be for shipping but they are easy to reuse. A picture is worth a thousand words.
This is a very good product - though I still miss the Rust-Oleum brand matte poly that this Varat...
This is a very good product - though I still miss the Rust-Oleum brand matte poly that this Varathane replaces. It seems to dry with more of a sheen than what I am used to or would prefer but it still outperforms many of the other matte polys that I've tried. I own a small online home decor business and use both the Varathane matte and the satin poly finishes exclusively on my reclaimed wood artwork and home decor items. I find them both to be excellent sealers that do not leave fingerprints behind. In addition, even though I wish Home Depot would carry this product in stock I have found that ordering it on-line and picking it up for free in the store is very easy to do and often just as quick.
by
Recommended
3 found this review helpful
Jun 16, 2015
Excellent product!
I used this poly on a black, high gloss, antique credenza. After distressing it, I wanted a matte finish, and that is exactly what I got. Even the areas that I did not sand completely came out in a true matte. It looks like I refinished the piece with expensive and time consuming chalk paint and wax.
by
DIY
Verified Purchase
Recommended
7 found this review helpful
Feb 3, 2015
Matte finish on TV console
A good product for a special need. The matte finish worked well for my customer's needs.
by
Verified Purchase
Recommended
Feb 24, 2014
Perfect Topcoat
Varathane polyurethane is the perfect final step in topcoating and protecting. I used it on a wood medicine cabinet that was beginning to show deterioration with a lot of dry spots on the finish. After two coats, the appearance is dramatically improved and it looks so much better conditioned. It works really well at protecting other indoor projects including faux finishing, stenciling and decoupaging. Several of my decoupage projects were finished with Varathane's matte sheen polyurethane and I loved how it protects without taking away from the antiquing effect of the faux finishes. It's water based formula makes super easy clean up.
by
Recommended
5 found this review helpful
Feb 18, 2014
This found a permanent place in my finishing arsenal
I am an expert wood finisher and have written many blogs on the subject. In my spare time I make furniture and other wood items. I have about 25 different types of finishes at my disposal because there really is no one-size-fits-all wood finish.
Waterborne finishes have been growing in popularity lately and the professional grade stuff (post catalyzed polyurethanes and water white Lacquers) are on par with their solvent based brethren. The consumer level stuff however, still has flaws I do not like. This product is more pro grade.
One thing I am not at all a fan of with waterborne finishes is the color tone. An easy comparison would be comparing a full spectrum photo grade lightbulb to an LED. the LED light is white to the point of being blue. Most consumer level waterborne finishes suffer from this too. There is a notable bluish tinge. This product did not do that.
In addition getting a high quality Matte finish out of a can is difficult. There is always some level of gloss that needs to be knocked back; or there is a noticeable film built that refracts light in the corners letting you know it's there. Again this did not do either. I did use 4 coats to provide the desired protection so there was a considerable build, but not a noticeable one. This product did not alter the woods appearance any more than water would. It looks completely natural and untreated although the wood is sufficiently protected.
Now before you run out and replace all your oil based finishes, there are a few things you should know. I see a lot of waterborne finishes getting negative reviews for what I am about to mention - but this is the nature of the product.
1. This will raise the grain upon initial application. The can says sanding between coats isn't required; but it is at least until the wood is sealed off
2. you HAVE to use a high quality synthetic bristle brush. A cheap brush or a foam brush will not do well. This finish dries fast and will actually dry on your brush if you do not use one that is capable of proper flow control. You will be dragging dried finish around your piece creating runs and sags.
3. This will not highlight or accentuate figured species. This will leave the wood grain fairly flat and natural looking. That is the goal of this finish. If you have figured wood or you want a rich tone, either use an oil based finish, an oil modified waterborne acrylic, or apply a washcoat of dewaxed blonde or amber shellac before applying this finish.
In the attached picture you can see the difference this finish makes. This is a piece of walnut sanded to 220 grit. One side is finished with a natural Danish oil - which also is very Matte in appearance. The other is finished with this. As you can see the Varathane side looks like there was never anything applied.
Also the tactile feel of this finish is amazing. Nothing plasticy about it.
If you are into the natural look, this is your stuff.
by
Pro
Recommended
65 found this review helpful
Apr 26, 2021
Only product that works!
I have used this twin pack for years on my painted and stained refinished furniture. Now, have not been able to get it as it is never in stock. I have signed up for notification when it's back in stock over year ago. This is the only one that is truly a matte finish. The other you have that says it is matte is way too shiny. I bought several two packs of that and had to return it to my store as it looked like gloss on my furniture. Please get this product back in stock.
by
Recommended
May 20, 2020
Protects but doesn’t change the finish like others. Great for milk or chalk...
Protects but doesn’t change the finish like others. Great for milk or chalky finishes!