Minwax Water Based Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane, Satin, Clear, 1 Gallon

This product is great. It's the only brand that I found that is actually clear. Other brands claim to be but are in fact yellow/orange. I was happy to find the water based version in this gallon size. The water based doesn't have the odor that the oil based has so I was able to apply it in my basement without the smell making its way through the rest of the house. It wasn't easy to find this size elsewhere. It is easy to apply with a brush or sprayer, however, it does require at least 3 coats to be fully effective. The finished look is exactly what I'd been hoping for, just a little bit darker than the cedar, highlighting the colors and patterns of the wood, without adding a glossy coating.

Using this water based Urethane to provide UV protection on indoor wood plank walls. Very low VOC and dries quickly. Water based Urethane allows use inside during Winter. Doesn't overwhelm the house with unwanted and pervasive smell.

I've been a woodfinishing professional for over forty years and I've been using this product since it first came out and recommend it for all wood finishing projects. The best way to apply it is by the spray method to allow a more evenly flow.. it will never turn “yellow or amber” because its a waterborne product and doesn't have the same resins that the He “oil Based” products have that cause that “yellowing/amber” tone over time. Because its a coalescing film it does not dry the same way as a reactive or evaporative coating and will not “flow' out as smooth as those coatings why it's applied by the brush or roller technique therefore, I recommend spraying or adding an extender or floetrol to allow for a smoother finish for brush and roller.

Window finishing I replaced all windows in my house with Anderson wood framed. The window wood and trim are pine and I conditioned, stained and applied 4 coats of the Water Based Helmsman® Spar Urethane. It looked great 10 years ago when I did this project and it still looks great now. One window is right above the kitchen sink where it gets often splattered with whatever is in the sink. All it takes is a quick wipe with a sponge and it looks like new. The product is made to last!

One of the best products I have purchased. Used for my picnic table and benches, both looking brand new for at least two years in the northern outdoor weather. Was worth every penny. Also used on indoor staircases - very pleased with the results.

Over the past few years I've used this on a number of occasions. Since I was skeptical the first use was on shelves for the inside of a closed cabinet. The finish went on well over unprimed yellow pine. It raised the grain with the first coat but sanding as recommended resulted in an excellent, durable finish. Next I finished the exterior of cabinets. The wood was stained but otherwise bare. Two coats resulted in an excellent and durable finish. Red oak floors with an existing urethane finish needed touch up. Some damaged areas were sanded. A coat of this urethane was feathered into the surrounding finish. It looked good though the distinction between finishes was obvious. This urethane was applied to the entire hallway after only cleaning the existing finish thoroughly. It was a test to see how durable the finish would be; the plan was to sand it all off once it was clear how well it would hold up. That was several years ago; 2 coats of this urethane have adhered and are holding up very well on a heavily trafficked surface. Clean up has been quick and outgassing minimal.

The LISTING promises they will ship a TWO PACK of 1-gallon containers, they only shipped one, I contacted them for a resolution and was told the listing was wrong, so buyer beware. = = = = = Your REPLY did NOT address the issue with my order, but it does show concern for other customers. So I checked WALMART and the bad listing is still incorrect. I bought your (2) pack because it was significantly cheaper than LOWES; however for (1) 1-gallon you are over-priced. The LOWES price is $64.50, and You charged $79.99 , so I believe I am owed $14.49 plus TAX, please issue a REFUND. Here is the LOWES INFO Minwax Helmsman 2-Pack Water-based Clear Transparent Gloss Interior Stain (1-Gallon) $129.00 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsman-Clear-Gloss-Water-based-Interior-Exterior-Varnish-1-Gallon/5015214851

I purchased this product to finish a walnut custom vanity. I followed the directions, sanding with 220 between each coat and applied 6 coats instead of the recommended 4. The sink was installed a full week after the final coat. Water initially "stains" the surface and is absorbed rather than beading up. I'm at a loss : (

I have been very happy with Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Oil Based product. I bought the water based one and it is terrible. As others have noted there is no way to apply this without visible brush marks. I have applied it on different woods with different brushes with the same result. I will be sanding off the water base and applying the good old oil base product. I believe the issue is that it dries too quickly and there is no chance for the product to self-level and have the brush strokes disappear. I hope they do not remove the oil base Helmsman from their product line because it is the only one that works.

I am an experienced refinisher. I followed the directions to the letter and used a top-quality brush. I applied four coats to a countertop. I had difficulty with brush marks, despite extremely careful application. After s i x days drying in excellent conditions, the finish still is marked by water. If I had read similar negative reviews previously, I never would have used this product.