Which Topcoat is Best for Painted Furniture

So, if you're either just finished painting your piece of furniture and are wondering how to protect it, or you're about to shop for supplies and you're wondering which topcoat is best for painted furniture, read on. Whatever you do, you mustn't skip the step of making sure your painted piece of furniture is protected. After all the hard work you've put into it, you'll want your painted furniture to be durable. So, when considering which topcoat is best for painted furniture, consider the type of paint you used: water-based or oil-based? Also consider whether you want a satin/gloss or matt/flat finish. So, which are the best topcoats for painted furniture, and which one would suit your painted project?

The Best Topcoats For Painted Furniture

Why do I need to Apply a Topcoat to my Painted Furniture?

Depending upon which type of furniture you’ve painted, you can usually expect that it will be exposed to its fair share of usage, and all the mishaps that can come along with that. A chest of drawers may be used daily, and bedside tables ect’ will no doubt have items placed on top. You’ll need to protect your painted finish from spillages, as well as little bumps and scrapes.

Extreme temperatures and moisture in the air can also affect your paint finish over a prolonged period of time.

You’ve invested time, energy, and money on supplies in creating your re-loved piece of furniture, and you don’t want all your efforts to come undone, so the step of applying a topcoat will give your piece longevity.

The only time you may not need to apply a topcoat is if you have purchased a paint that has a topcoat included. Read the tin or check directly with the brand for clarification if you're unsure.

When Should I Apply the Topcoat to my Painted Furniture?

Your topcoat shouldn’t be applied until after your final coating of paint has thoroughly dried. A few factors determine how long this takes. Firstly it depends on the type of paint you use. Always check the instructions on the tin for the drying time of your specific brand. Also, if it’s damp or humid then your paint will take longer to dry, so add extra time on.

I often leave my last coat of paint to dry overnight, but sometimes, if I applied my final coat in the morning, then I’ll apply a topcoat much later in the day.

If you seal up your furniture with your protective topcoat, and the underlying paint isn’t totally dry, you’ll trap moisture in, which can lead to peeling and blistering paint.

Which Topcoat Should I Use to Seal and Protect my Painted Furniture?

Which topcoat you decide to use will come down to which type of finish you’d like to achieve, and what type of paint you used.

I always work with water-based paints, but there are some furniture paints out there that are oil-based. When working with oil-based paints, choose an oil-based topcoat. With water based paints I generally use a water-based topcoat, and on a few occasions, I have used a clear wax, specifically designed for use on painted furniture.

What is Polyurethane and What is it Used For?

There are two types of Polyurethane. Both are protective finishes, that seal and help protect painted or wooden furniture. The first, and most traditional, widely used type is oil-based polyurethane.

The second type is called 'water-based polyurethane' or 'polycrylic'.

If you've painted your furniture with an oil-based paint then use an oil based polyurethane.

Oil-based poly' is great as in it's more protective and durable, however I tend to use it more as a topcoat for raw or stained wood, as the oil component nourishes the wood so well. When I'm painting furniture I tend to use water-based paints, and so I opt for a water-based polyurethane or polycrylic. An an oil-based topcoat has a tendency to yellow over time, which is not great especially if you've painted a piece of furniture in a lighter colour, as the yellowing will be more visible!

Topcoat Your Painted Furniture with Water-Based Polyurethane or Polycrylic.

Water based topcoats also offer a smooth and protective finish, and I usually apply 3 coats, sometimes 4 ( drying in-between coats) to optimise smoothness and protection.

Water based polyurethane or polycrylic is lower in VOC’s but you still need to avoid breathing in the vapours, so ventilate well, and as an extra precaution you can also opt wear a protective mask, especially if you have asthma or other lung problems.

It dries much faster than its oil based relative, and clean-up is so easy with dish soap and water. No hazardous waste to consider!

As I also use water based paints, I can usually mix a little of the same paint into the topcoat before I apply it, which prevents the milky streaks that can sometimes occur when applying it to dark colours. I never add textured paint though...chalky paints may clump-up if mixed directly into 'poly'.

If you’re using water based polyurethane for really high traffic pieces of furniture, such as a dining table, then it's best to use a super durable one.

Water based polyurethanes come in a variety of finishes: gloss, semi-gloss, satin, matte/ flat and ultra flat, so you can choose which one helps you achieve the finished look that you’re aiming for. You can apply it with a synthetic brush, or, some people prefer to apply it using a special type of round, dense sponge. I have never used a foam roller to apply poly’ due to the risk of tiny bubbles appearing. I want the finish to be smooth.

It’s super important to be sure to never shake a tin of polyurethane, again, because it will produce tiny bubbles that will spoil your finish. Follow the instructions on the tin. After application, ensure that you let your topcoat fully cure according to your chosen brands instructions before regular use.

Topcoat Your Painted Furniture with a Clear Wax Finish.

As an alternative to 'poly', Furniture wax can be applied as a topcoat and is a very popular finish to use, in particular as a sealant over Chalk Paint or Milk Paint.

Wax is a great option for those of you who want a natural and non-toxic product, as you can apply it indoors without the need to consider wearing a protective mask etc’.

Once applied, the soft clear wax will harden (cure) over time and offer your painted furniture a beautiful finish. The finish is usually matte in appearance, but can be buffed once dried to add more sheen if that's your desired look.

Clear furniture wax can be applied with either a waxing brush such, or a lint-free cloth.

Two to three coats of clear wax will seal and protect your piece.

It will take a few weeks to a month to fully cure, so be careful of placing items on top of it in the meantime.

After applying the wax you can clean your wax brush with mineral spirits, and once the wax is removed, then wash the brush with dish soap and water. Rinse well so no residue is left on your brush.

Be mindful that if your piece is a ‘high traffic’ piece that will be very vulnerable to bumps, scrapes and spills, you may be better going down the route of using a polyurethane/polycrylic. I use water based polyurethane over chalk paint if it’s a high traffic piece, as it offers more protection from lots of daily wear and tear.

If you use wax as your topcoat, it’s a good idea to apply an extra coat of wax to your furniture approximately every 6 - 12 months, to keep the piece looking good and to optimise its protective seal.

Waxing over chalk paint or Milk and clay paints does lend a traditional and somewhat rustic, or authentically vintage finish to your piece. On the few occasions I have chosen to use wax as a topcoat, I’ve applied it to statement pieces of furniture that are not heavily used on a day to day basis.

Using Decorative Waxes on Top of Your Final Finish

Decorative waxes are not actually used as a topcoat. They are waxes that come in a variety of colours to add antiquing effects, or to enhance the detailing on your piece of furniture. As they aren’t actually a topcoat I won’t cover them in detail in this article, but they’re applied over your topcoat of clear wax, to the specific areas that you wish to embellish. They can also be applied over a polyurethane (oil or water-based) topcoat once it has dried. *Read more about decorative waxes and how to use them here.

So, quick re-cap!! : Before you choose the topcoat you wish to apply, remember to consider the finish you want to achieve, as well as how exposed your piece of furniture will be to high usage. Additionally, look after your furniture by using place mats/beer mats ect’, to protect the surface, as, although your topcoat will help resist watermarks and water damage up to a point, it’s still best to prevent these stains from happening in the first place!

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