Customer Reviews for BEHR 1 gal. Matte Clear Fast Drying Water-Based Interior Polyurethane

Behr makes a great product. Whether it be water or oil based urethane it will do everything it makes claim to do. I wanted to resurface my dining room table because it had become dull from wear and sliding items across it and I was not disappointed with this one. Hard shell finish and beautiful gloss finish. I was able to put two coats on it because I wanted a beautiful appearance and I got it. I have used this product before and have never been disappointed, you won't be either.

This seems like a good finish coat for wood. It is semi-gloss - leaves a real nice topcoat that shows off the wood but not the glaring imperfections from an amateur "stainer" like myself. The polyurethane is a milk white in the can, which threw me off for a moment, but it finished clear and smooth. The milky look actually helped me make sure I had the coating all rubbed in and helped me achieve a smoother finish.

Fantastic option over the "Big" name brands of many polyurethane coatings. A friend had actually used the Behr brand and had suggested it to me when he saw my refinishing projects. He knew that I work with polyurethane quite often, and I appreciated him giving me his opinion on it. It was a pivotal reason/factor for why I chose the Behr over the others. He was right about how smooth it went on. He also said that after years on one of his pieces that gets a lot of sunlight that the fading to the piece was minimal and there was no yellowing of the top coat either. I had a very important piece to finish, and I didn't want to make the wrong choice on the top protective coating. I had worked on this table for six weeks, and it took every bit of energy to muster to finally get it done. And because it is a table that will have a lot of use, many coats had to be applied and wet sanded in between each coat. The Behr poly went on smooth and flawlessly. Now I know that it was probably WAY big on overkill - but like I said, this piece was important to me, so eight coats went on the table top. I don't regret a single one of them. I absolutely love how it turned out!

BEHR offers a full range of both waterborne and oil-based polyurethane finishes in sheen levels from satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. The choice of water-borne vs oI’ll-based polyurethane is based on several factors including the use of the item being finished, the durability needed, the clarity of the finish, and finally the ease of clean-up. Polyurethane finishes, whether oil or water based, are a combination of plastic resin and solvent, creating essentially a clear, liquid plastic finish. Water-based polyurethane finish, commonly referred to water-borne, is an excellent choice for a range of INTERIOR projects from furniture, cabinets, shelves and wooden toys. While it can be used as a floor finish my experience would advise against that use. I believe oil-based polyurethane, with few exceptions, is a far better choice for most floor applications. There are several distinct differences, besides the obvious oil vs water-base, between the 2 different polyurethanes. First, waterborne polyurethane goes on milky white but dries to a crystal clear finish; oil-based imparts a decidedly amber tone to the finished item. For example, applied to natural pine, oil-based poly will give the pine a warm, amber look; waterborne poly looks crystal clear and barely changes the hue at all. Secondly, since it drys so rapidly, multiple coats of waterborne poly can be applied the same day and the item can be put into use more quickly. Third, waterborne is very low odor, non-toxic, and non-flammable; oil-based is none of those. Lastly, cleanup is done with soap and water for waterborne poly while paint thinner is needed to cleanup oil-based polyurethane brushes and equipment. As always, carefully follow label instructions for the application of this product. An excellent, durable finish can be achieved with good finishing practices: the surface is carefully prepared both before the application of the first coat and in between coats. I recommend 3 coats for optimum results and durability. The final result will be a smooth, water clear durable finish with a semi-gloss sheen.

The thing I like best about this product is that I have found it to be more stain resistant than some of the competitors that I've tried. A different polyurethane I recently tried became permanently stained when my dog decided to assert his dominance and pooped on it. I tested this Behr product before committing to it completely and it was stain free after a few rigorous tests. I was able to complete my project with confidence despite my dog's best efforts. The product was also really simple and straight forward to apply, use, and clean up. It is a good choice for those who are experienced and non-experienced alike.

I am always on the lookout for a water based poly urethane that is easy to clean and apply. I followed the instructions and didn't shake, but did stir well before application. I applied this product with a high quality brush and had no problems. Application was easy and the board I sealed was dry to the touch in less than an hour--an DIY-er's dream! We are an impatient bunch! My brush was so easy to clean and the poly left no residue on the brush after washing. I think I have found my new, go-to poly for all my future products!

I'm really liking the Behr water-based poly urethane finish. It dried very quickly in my shop and I was able to apply a second coat in about 50 minutes. I keep my shop between 68 - 72 degrees F and at about 45% humidity so it seems to be optimal for this product. The matte finish is perfect and resists reflectionso much that you flat out cannot see it on cameras. Great product for batching out projects where you need quickan application and cleanup!

This satin polyurethane is extremely easy to use. I applies with a nylon bristle brush very nicely and after and hour is ready for another coat. One thing to be aware of is that the finish is cloudy in can and goes on cloudy, but dried clear. I applied a coat on my test piece, and let it dry for a good hour. Came back and gave it a light sanding and applied another coat. I am happy with the finish I was able to achieve after two coats. I think a 3rd coat would give really nice results. The best part is that since it is water base, clean up is a cinch and much milder odors compared to traditional polyurethane.

This high-gloss water-based polyurethane is easy to use and produces a beautiful finish. Because it is water-based, it is easy to clean up afterwards, too. It dries quickly in around an hour, and there is not too much of an odor. It provides a decent level of protection to wood products. Because it dries within an hour, multiple coats of poly can be applied within a day. While the instructions said to use a brush to apply the poly, I used a rag and the poly went on easily.

I used the BEHR 1 QT. MATTE CLEAR WATER-BASED INTERIOR FAST DRYING POLYURETHANE on some bookshelves. I like the matte finish, as it is not too glossy but it also provides some protection for the wood. I used the water based polyurethane since I used Behr's water based stain - this makes cleanup much easier. I applied it with a brush and it covered nicely and dried quickly.

The Behr polyurethane is water based so it is odor free and clean up is so easy. I applied the finish to my cutting board. The finish dries crystal clear and brings out the natural color of wood without yellowing. It is best to apply several thin coats to obtain a smooth finish. Lightly sanding between coats will assure a high quality appearance. This also works out great to add a glossy finish on previously painted surfaces.

BEHR 1 QT. MATTE CLEAR WATER-BASED INTERIOR FAST DRYING POLYURETHANE. As a rule I generally purchase paint products in store but this time trying the order online route. Received the order fairly quickly. I've been using water based poly for many years and this Behr brand has performed very good. Applies smoothly, dries fast and recoat in an hour.

I have never before used water based polyurethane or water based stains. However, the benefits of water based products were sufficient to give them a try. For this review I tried Behr Satin Clear Water-Based Interior Fast Drying Polyurethane over bare wood and over four different Behr water based stains: Golden Oak, Golden Pecan, Early American, English Chestnut. For comparison, alongside I used an oil based polyurethane on bare wood and one oil based stain, Golden Oak. I applied to strips of poplar. Poplar is a closed grain wood that is notoriously hard to stain evenly Water based poly looks different. It is milky white, probably from the emulsifiers needed to mix poly and water. It dries crystal clear while the oil based poly dries a slightly warm amber. I used a foam brush for all poly applications and soft rag for all stain applications. The water based poly goes on a bit splotchy and often shows tiny bubbles. However, that was dealt with using some practice and careful brush strokes. It cannot be thinned or wiped on. Compared with oil the water based stains are very thick and syrupy and require a fair amount of working to get it even. It also doesn't seem to penetrate into the wood as readily as oil. However, when covered with poly that probably won't make a lot of difference. I compared "Golden Oak" oil based stain with Behr water based "Golden Oak." The water based was much more brown and the oil based much more yellow. The water base also seemed to be more even showing less of the wood's "character" which is not necessarily and bad thing. Perhaps because of the thickness of the stain. There are two good reasons to like these products. First, they very dry fast. In my shop at sixty-five degrees and low humidity everything was dry to the touch in less than thirty minutes. Oil based take as much as three to four hours. Second, the water based products can be cleaned up with soap and water. The oils take mineral spirits. Water based products cost more than oiled based. The bottom line for me is that water-based poly and stains are excellent products that provide good color and coverage and dry very fast. You can easily apply a stain and three coats of poly in a day. If speed is important these are the products you are looking for.

I recently painted a computer desk, using chalk paint, however I wanted to seal the paint , as well as the cream wax used, because of the daily use, I purchased a quart of the satin water based polyurethane, as I have had excellent result when using it in the past. The satin is just the right finish for this project, giving the entire piece a vintage look that I desired. The final piece ends up durable. It dries quickly, there is little if any lingering odor, clean up is simple with soap and water .

This product is so easy to work with. Since it is water-based clean up is simple and there is no odor. The product is milky colored but dries crystal clear. I applied this to my dresser that I used a gel-based stain on. It added a nice smooth shine to the dresser. When applying use very thin coats. This will help reduce the amount of sanding between coats. I ended up applying 3 coats. Great product!

Behr's water based poly urethane offers a super clear coat and is quite durable, standing up to some of the mainstay brands that you might typically reach for. In my application, I got a nice and smooth finish and the water based nature of the product allows your work to get completed much quicker. And you can't bet the cleanup of water based anything compared to oil based. For what it's worth, also nice to see it coming in a plastic, recyclable can. As always, spot test any product before working on your project and you will see that it does a good job. Highly recommend and a good addition to anyone's wood working arsenal.

This is the first Behr product I have used, and now it won't be the last! I prefer water based finishes for the ease of clean up and this does not disappoint. I am looking forward to spraying this to see how it performs compared to brushing. It has good adherence and dries quickly. I had minimal issues with bubbles in the finish and two coats covered well, but I like giving three coats for full protection.

I have been looking for a fast drying solution that was in the same gloss finish as my current poly coat on my hand built dining room table. I have re apply poly for it every year and this year- I used this. It turned out better than I could have imagined! It was super fast drying- being completely dry in about 2 hours and went on clean and dry to touch in an hour.

Easy to use! This product applies smoothly and dries quickly. I was able to do 3 coats with a one hour period between each coat and got very satisfying results - a self leveling, smooth finish that is protective and waterproof.( You can see how a spilled liquid pooled in the attached picture.) I used it on a painted kitchen countertop. It goes on as a milky white liquid that changes to clear as it dries. I used a bristle brush and a sponge applicator to apply. Clean up was a breeze with just soap and water. I found that I prefer this product over others that I have used in the past and would definitely recommend it to all.

Have a painting project and got the following fours paintsfrom Behr to compare: Water based: o Gloss (Model # B8104) o Semi-Gloss (model #8102) o Matte (Model#8106)- Oil based o Gloss (model #B7204) All paints are good. I absolutely could not make difference neither visually nor perceptional(ly) between Gloss and Semi-Gloss water based paints both look similar and feel similar (at least in my application). Water based matte paint (8106) looked similar;however, some grainy feeling was present upon touch.Oil based paint gave the best result - most natural appearance to wood (according to my expectations) [see picture]. I think that due to soaking of the wood fibers with oil added to formulation. This would be my choice! P.S.: I am big fan of Behr's paints and ~95% of all painting jobs in my house are done with Berh's paints. Never was wrong with choice ;)

Have a painting project and got the following fours paintsfrom Behr to compare: Water based: o Gloss (Model # B8104) o Semi-Gloss (model #8102) o Matte (Model#8106)- Oil based o Gloss (model #B7204) All paints are good. I absolutely could not make difference neither visually nor perceptional(ly) between Gloss and Semi-Gloss water based paints both look similar and feel similar (at least in my application). Water based matte paint (8106) looked similar;however, some grainy feeling was present upon touch.Oil based paint gave the best result - most natural appearance to wood (according to my expectations) [see picture]. I think that due to soaking of the wood fibers with oil added to formulation. This would be my choice! P.S.: I am big fan of Behr's paints and ~95% of all painting jobs in my house are done with Berh's paints. Never was wrong with choice ;)

Have a painting project and got the following fours paintsfrom Behr to compare: Water based: o Gloss (Model # B8104) o Semi-Gloss (model #8102) o Matte (Model#8106)- Oil based o Gloss (model #B7204) All paints are good. I absolutely could not make difference neither visually nor perceptional(ly) between Gloss and Semi-Gloss water based paints both look similar and feel similar (at least in my application). Water based matte paint (8106) looked similar;however, some grainy feeling was present upon touch.Oil based paint gave the best result - most natural appearance to wood (according to my expectations) [see picture]. I think that due to soaking of the wood fibers with oil added to formulation. This would be my choice! P.S.: I am big fan of Behr's paints and ~95% of all painting jobs in my house are done with Berh's paints. Never was wrong with choice ;)

I was crushed when HD decided to drop the Minwax product line. Having used MW products for 40+ years, I was always able to replicate any of my wood projects years later. Behr products are made by Masco. And most [if not all] are unique to HD. There's just no continuity. It seems formulations change annually; and it's impractical for me to keep tweaking my processes. Will this can be okay for a one-off project? Probably .... but I'm not going to get the 125 sq ft of coverage. You see, I spray all my finishes. And the set-up time when I have to switch from my "go-to" products is substantial. Certainly not worth the effort. So, will this yellow as much or not as much as my standards. Too soon to tell. Will this cure to the same hardness as my standards? Is the sheen the same as the sheen I get from my standards? Don't know. With so many unknowns, I'm relegating the product to a one-off project. As for my technique: my projects are made from materials I've run through my drum-sander [100 grit]. I stain those materials with two coats; then I apply the first topcoat; then I sand with 150-grit; apply second coat of topcoat finish; sand with 220-grit; apply third coat. This may go on until I'm satisfied.

This review is for the Behr clear water based semi-gloss fast drying polyurethane. Most people would use this to cover wood furniture or other surfaces but because I'm an artist I use this in art projects it creates a look I can not get with any other product. It very easy to use and cleans up with water. It came in a timely manner and very well packaged.

Low odor water based polyurethane. Almost no odor and easy clean up makes this an easy to use polyurethane. The liquid is a milky white, helping you see where you did and did not coat. Dries quickly and has the finish as described, mine was a semi-gloss. Be careful with brush marks as mine were visible after drying on my first project. Still, the finish looks great and the no odor makes this a recommended product.

Just starting a new wood project so I need the best and that is the BEHR Semi-Gloss clear Polyurethane. I know I will get a good, clear protective finish with this product. It is water-based and offers easy clean-up. I love that. It will protect my stained wood and give it a smooth and long lasting finish. Other sheens are available, however; I typically use this finish. BEHR is a name that says "Quality" to me.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] First, know that I am a longtime Behr fan, and across a range of your product lines. This polyurethane appears to perform beautifully … easy to use, levels out to a smooth finish, low odor. Everything you want … except … It yellows whites. Takes away that bright white finish and neutralizes it into a light cream. It affects color in a similar way. I did a color stain of a moss green. After using this polyurethane, it had yellow tones in it somewhat like a pea green. Not what I was targeting in my kitchen remodel. The “clear coated” elements now did not align with the painted elements. Cabinet doors were now different than the painted walls, custom shelving was cream rather than coordinating with semi-gloss white trim. Arghhh. This meant I had a certain quantity of having to rethink, redesign, and redo. You know this about this product, Behr. You need to be clear about this on the label and in your promotional language. Disappointed. I’d add pictures but I’ve already made corrections and moved on.

Easier to use compared to oil base and it covers very good. I apply 3 coats for best results after carefully sanding between coats.