Spar Urethane Vs Polyurethane: What's the Difference? (2023)

No matter how beautiful your woodworking project is, you know it could all be for naught if you don't use the right protective coating.

While this is usually an easy task, some products try to fool people. Urethanes are one such example.

In fact, products with the same sound can be used interchangeably, right? Well, that's mostly true, but a few key differences make choosing a urethane or polyurethane neck a bit tricky.

Therefore, we explain their main differences and when to use them to get great results.

What is the difference between Spar Urethane and Polyurethane?

The difference between polyurethane and espar urethane is that espar urethane is a more water resistant finish. It can be easily applied in high humidity conditions where polyurethane can fail if not given time to cure before moisture builds up.

But Spar urethane paint is more sensitive to chemicals and alcohol than polyurethane. When these chemicals are used to clean the wood surface, their effect on the surface can be detrimental.

Polyurethane, on the other hand, doesResistant to most chemicals., including ethanol.

What is Spar Urethane?

Spar Urethane is a special type of paint originally developed for boats. The older version was called mast varnish because it was applied to the masts of sailing ships.

Not surprisingly, these products are waterproof and have excellent resistance to UV light. However, to make the product more suitable for indoor use, manufacturers began adding urethane plastic as part of the resins, and urethane spat was born.

Luckily, the urethane didn't stop it from being UV and water resistant. Now you can use urethane replacement for many interior and exterior woodworking projects, especially for surfaces exposed to high humidity and sunlight.

Heutwo main typesSpade Urethane:

• oil based spat urethane
• Water based urethane neck

Spar Urethane is a durable finish that also protects wood surfaces from scratches, dents and chemical spills.

Both types of urethane necks do the same job, but the oil-based urethane neck dries slower, has a more pungent odor, and tends to yellow over time.

What is polyurethane?

Polyurethane is a durable, water-repellent coating that dries very well. It can be used on a variety of furniture, but is mainly used on floors, tables, fences and other surfaces that need protection from water and scratches.

Given the thickness of polyurethane, it is rarely used for high-end furniture.

The two main types of polyurethane are:

• Oil based polyurethane
• Water based polyurethane

Although both do the same thing, each has their own.unique advantages and disadvantages🇧🇷 For example, oil-based polyurethane gives wood a warm glow and yellows over time.

Water based polyester dries very clear and stays clear. Both can be used to protect wood surfaces for over a decade with proper use and care.

Pros and Cons of Spar Urethane

advantage

• Scratch and water resistant.
• it is easy to use
• dries quickly
• Contains UV blockers

In contrast

• doesn't dry too much
• Must be reapplied occasionally

Polyurethane pros and cons

advantage

• Thick fur that lasts a long time.
• Resistant to hazards, chemicals and water.
• It dries very well and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
• It can be applied in different ways

In contrast

• Takes a long time to dry
• Emits large amounts of VOCs

Polyurethane vs. Spar-Urethane: Detailed functional comparison

Now that we've got the nitty gritty out of the way, it's time to pit these two products against each other and see who emerges victorious.

But before that, it's important to note some obvious differences. All conventional urethane flagpole products can be used indoors or outdoors.

However, polyurethane is sold as interior or exterior polyurethane. Therefore, interior and exterior polyurethane have slightly different properties.

So, for the sake of simplicity, let’s focus more on using these products indoors.

Urethane Spar vs. Polyurethane - Ease of Application

When working with a new product, one of the first things to consider is ease of use. Yes, it might sound great, but when the method is complex, it's best to stick with what you know.

Many people say Espar Urethane is easier to apply than polyurethane, but that's a bit of a misnomer.

The application process for both products is identical in all respects: roughen the surface, clean, apply the first layer, let it dry, then apply the second layer and repeat if necessary.

Some people give substitute urethane an edge because the brush marks aren't as visible compared to polyurethane. This is because espar urethane is a softer material and therefore tends to flatten out better.

However, this is only the case if you are applying oil-based polyurethane. Water-based polyurethane doesn't have the same problems with brush marks and dust pick-up as the oil-based version. You can alsoWipe or brush polyurethane!

That's an important difference as many people now use water-based poly more often, although this limitation doesn't change the overall rating.

Bottom line: save urethane just barely

Urethane vs. polyurethane paint - drying times

This is another hot topic that gets a lot of one-sided answers. However, ask almost anyone who has used either of these products before and they will tell you that Spar urethane dries much faster than polyurethane.

Again, this is very misleading.

Polyurethane is known to dry very slowly. One layer can last up to 24 hours before the next is applied. One day per shift? Absolutely ridiculous! On the other hand, the urethane neck is ready for a recoat in just 4 hours.

That's a ridiculous range, and it would be tempting to stop the comparison right away.

However, that's only true if you're referring to traditional oil-based polyurethane and not quick-drying types. The quick-drying, oil-based polyurethane dries in just 4-6 hours, which is a huge improvement.

It's important to note that some companies now only sell their fastest drying oil-based polys, so judging by the old standards is out of date.

The water-based versions of both products are ready for a new coat of paint in just 2 hours.

Even the cure times for the water-based options are identical, as is the pure oil-based urethane and the quick-drying oil-based polyurethane.

Now when you consider options like a polyester jacket and wipe, the drying time slows down even more, making it quite a bit faster than replacement urethane. So overall, this is a closer race than anyone imagined.

Verdict - draw

Polyurethane vs. Urethanespar - Toxicity

Now we come to an option with no hope of returning. Polyurethane is great for many things and many things, but the environment is not one of them.

Polyurethane contains isocyanates and other products that give off large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

noVOCs are known carcinogensB. Benzene, and may also irritate eyes, lungs and skin during use.

Therefore, great care should be taken when using polyurethane, especially oil-based. The only salvation is that once the polyurethane dries, it is no longer harmful.

Before you get the wrong idea, I should mention that Espar Urethane also emits high levels of VOCs, although not as much as polyurethane. This applies to both the water-based and the oil-based version.

If we compare the water based urethane neck to polyurethane it is possible to find some water based versions that emit less VOCs than the water based urethane neck but this is not common.

On average, the urethane neck is much safer for people and the environment.

Conclusion - urethane neck

Urethane vs. Polyurethane Finish: Durability

Well, that's the point of the comparison where we get hard, really hard (pun intended). Luckily for polyurethane this is very easy.

As you probably already know, polyurethane is one of the strongest finishes for interior wood. Its unique combination of resins and solvents makes it very difficult to dry and will last for many years.

This applies to both oil-based and water-based polyurethanes. You'll still hear some people say that oil-based poly is tougher, but these are the reviewers who are still stuck with older, disappointing versions of water-based poly.

On the other hand, Espar urethane is tough but does not dry as much as polyurethane. Because these products are made for indoor and outdoor use, they retain some flexibility.

Because when the weather changes, outdoor wood expands and contracts. As such, the finish must be able to do the same without cracking or peeling.

This keeps the urethane neck from drying as hard as the inner poly. Consequently, the urethane neck is not as durable.

While polyurethane can last one to two decades, water-based urethane can last five years and oil-based up to three times that.

The spar urethane is also more likely to suffer irreparable damage long before that.

Conclusion - polyurethane

Polyurethan vs. Urethan – Âmbar

When considering a product's longevity, it's also important to consider its convenience. By this we mean the point where the target starts to hurt your eyes and you want a change.

The main reason you might want to change the finish of good wood is amber. Oil-based paints have an amber hue that darkens noticeably over time. While this is not a problem with dark woods, it can be unsightly with lighter woods or light paint.

But even with darker woods, you may not complain in the first few years, but eventually you will get angry. Therefore, it is safe to say that amber should also be considered part of durability.

In this argument, oil-based polyurethane has no basis. It is undeniably yellow and gets even yellower with age. The same applies to the oil-based urethane neck.

Let's take a look at waterborne polyspat urethane versus polyurethane.

Where we make a difference is in the water-based options. Water based poly is crystal clear and will remain so until the end of time. Unfortunately, the water-based urethane neck does not.

Although technically also a crystalline coating, it is amber in light stains and woods. Therefore, before using it in this way, you should first test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the surface to ensure it does not yellow.

Yellow water-based polyurethane🇧🇷 To be fair, some cheap water-based polyurethanes will yellow when in contact with white paint and some bad products will yellow, but they usually work well on light wood and stains.

Conclusion: Polyurethane with a comfortable advantage

Urethane Neck Helm Vs. Polyurethane: Protection from the Elements

Well that's the strength of Holm urethanes and probably a bit of an unfair comparison. As mentioned above, Spar urethane was originally made for boats so it can withstand the weather like no other.

The urethane neck can withstand UV rays without turning the wood gray and can also absorb a lot of water abuse.

However, because this is a slightly smoother finish than polyurethane, replacement urethane can feel milky when exposed to too much moisture.

This might make you think the finish is gone, but it clears up again as it dries. Polyurethane doesn't have that problem, but it definitely can't handle that much moisture or sunlight.

Only outdoor polyurethane usually comes with UV blockers. Interior versions must not contain a urethane plug.

So if you need to finish interior wood that gets all day exposure to the sun, your best bet is to use replacement urethane.

Conclusion - urethane neck

Urethane Spar Vs. Polyurethane - Versatility

Polyurethane is a wonderful product for many reasons, one of which is its versatility. Being a very resistant product, it can be used on any wooden surface.

Unfortunately, this is not the case with the urethane neck. The main difference between using the two products is the floors.

while you canApply polyurethane to wooden floors, you can't do that with the urethane neck. Because replacement urethane is somewhat soft, it wears out quickly in high-traffic areas.

Being constantly hit by feet, furniture, shoes, golf clubs, falling chairs and anything else will damage it.

On the other hand, polyurethane dries hard and remains strong enough to withstand years of abuse without weakening.

Aside from floors, you may not want to use replacement urethane on surfaces that are intended to be rock hard. This can be tabletops, kitchen countertops, or coffee tables if, like me, you tend to put your feet on them.

As great as replacement urethane is, not being able to use it on some of the surfaces that need it most is a problem.

Conclusion - polyurethane

Can you put polyurethane over the urethane neck?

No, you should not paint polyurethane over replacement urethane. This is due to the oil basePolyurethane or interior paintThey have a lower oil ratio than spat urethane. You need to sand off the old finish and apply the same finish that you removed. This will give you a beautiful finish without requiring any additional work.

Can you put a urethane neck over polyurethane?

Yes, as long as it's completely dry you can apply urethane to polyurethane. Spar urethanes are a bit more difficult to use but can be very forgiving and adhere well to many types of paint.

We recommend testing adhesion on a small, inconspicuous spot before beginning your project.

Frequently asked questions about polyurethane vs. mast

What is the urethane neck used for?

Urethan-HalsIt is aGreatready forInterior and exterior wood surfaces🇧🇷 Spar urethane contains UV blockers and is waterproof, making it ideal for items exposed to water and/or sunlight. The protective urethane flagpole provides a barrier against moisture and rain.

Does the urethane neck turn yellow?

Oil-based masturethane turns yellow, WetterNon-waterborne urethane mast gelb🇧🇷 However, some brands of water-based espar urethane will turn yellow when applied to light woods and light stains.

Before applying to a light-colored surface, test the urethane putty on a small spot for yellowing.

Can I use urethane poles on floors?

no, you should not useSpar Urethane Sin interiorSpar urethane flooring is flexible because it expands and contracts with weather changes.

However, due to the amount of movement and the heavy materials they come in contact with, floors require a very hard surface.

Is polyurethane better than urethane neck?

It depends on the usage. Polyurethane is ideal for indoor flooring, while urethane works well for outdoor joinery that is exposed to a lot of sunlight and temperature changes.

Urethanspar vs. Lackspar

The difference between Holm Urethane and Holm Lacquer is that Holm Lacquer has been known to peel or chip over time, while Holm Urethane is capable of maintaining a hard, glossy finish over a long period of time.

Verdict Spar Urethane Vs Polyurethane

Comparing exceptional finishes is never easy, especially when they serve different purposes.

So you have to choose how you want to use them.

Use the urethane neck when:

• The wood surface is exposed to sunlight.
• at high humidity
• You need a little flexibility on the surface.
• Minimizing toxicity is a priority

Use polyurethane if:

• Working in high traffic areas
• You want to protect a surface for years to come
• Work on large areas
• Working with light colors

Again, the urethane neck was made for a different purpose than the polyurethane.

What do you do next

Many people are under the impression that varnish and polyurethane have a lot in common. You are wrong. There are some keysDifferences between lacquer and polyurethanethat will make your life easier as you choose what is best for you.