Which scratch resistant high gloss varnish for painted concrete?

oliviadb

Hi,

I’m creating some concrete projects and I want to varnish them with clear gloss. I’ve painted them with acrylic paint and want something to give them a durable finish. I’ve used liquitex high gloss varnish which is a polyurethane water based varnish but it finishes a little streaky and is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it dries tacky as well.

I’ve been looking at things like marine varnishes and varathane but I’m not sure if these will be right. Can you tell me what I could use please?

EricL

Hello @oliviadb

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about coating your concrete project with a clear coat.

If I were finishing acrylic-painted concrete projects and wanted the best combination of clarity, durability and ease of application, my advice would be to move away from brush-applied artist varnishes and use a spray-applied clear coat instead. The streaking and occasional tackiness you have experienced with the Liquitex varnish is not uncommon, particularly on porous surfaces like concrete where the coating can dry unevenly or be applied a little too heavily.

From the products currently available at the store, I suggest trying the https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-340g-2x-ultra-cover-gloss-clear-spray-paint_p1580816 . It is designed as a durable clear protective coating, dries quickly and is intended to provide a smooth gloss finish with fewer spray passes, which helps minimise the brush marks and uneven sheen that can occur with hand-applied varnishes.

For most hobby and decorative projects, I would personally choose the Rust-Oleum gloss clear aerosol over a marine varnish. Marine varnishes are designed primarily for timber exposed to weather and UV, and many can impart a slight amber tone over time. A clear spray finish is generally more likely to preserve the true colours of your acrylic paint while also giving you the gloss level you are looking for.

My overall recommendation would be to allow the acrylic paint to cure fully, apply several very light coats of the Rust-Oleum gloss clear rather than one heavy coat, and build the finish gradually. In my experience, three to five light coats will usually produce a clearer, harder and more professional-looking result than a single thick application. With a little patience between coats, you should achieve a durable, attractive gloss finish that complements your concrete work beautifully.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a paint rated mask.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric