Crystal clear

• Gloss – Gloss finishes make a surface appear cleaner and brighter but because they are highly reflective, they can highlight imperfections. They are easy to clean and are ideal for heavy wear areas such as doors, joinery and flooring. Try Resene Qristal Poly-Gloss or Resene Aquaclear gloss.

• Semi-gloss – A semi-gloss has a slightly reflective appearance but is more forgiving of imperfections than a gloss clear finish. It is ideal for walls and woodwork which receive a lot of wear and tear. Try Resene Aquaclear semi-gloss.

• Satin/low sheen – Satin and low sheen finishes are popular for walls and ceilings. Their lower sheen diffuses light and helps to conceal surface imperfections. Colours underneath satin/low sheen clear finishes appear muddied and darker than when overcoated with a glossier finish. Try Resene Aquaclear satin or Resene Qristal Clear Poly-Satin.

• Flat/matte – Matte finishes diffuse the light and impart a very natural look to the surface but are not as durable as high gloss finishes. They are usually best used on walls and ceilings. Try Resene Aquaclear Natural or Resene Qristal Poly-Flat.

If you have used Resene Colorwood, the clear finish you choose will change how the colour looks. A clear gloss urethane, such as Resene Aquaclear, will make the colour appear more vibrant than a clear flat polyurethane, such as Resene Aquaclear Natural.

Waterborne or solventborne

For interior projects we recommend using waterborne products wherever possible as they are lower odour and easier to clean up with water. Solventborne products tend to yellow as they age which can suit some timbers.

Top tip  Resene Qristal Poly-Flat has a wax like finish and can be a good alternative to waxing.

Most home decorators choose:

• Waterborne Resene Aquaclear for walls, ceilings, furniture, doors and trim. This waterborne varnish has fewer VOCs than solventborne products. It will appear milky in the can but dries to a clear finish. This non-yellowing formula is more suited to white (or pale) timbers such as pine, macrocarpa and oak as well as composite boards, MDF and particle and strand board.

• Waterborne Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K for flooring. It’s lower odour and has fewer VOCs than traditional solventborne flooring finishes.

• Solventborne Resene Qristal Clear polyurethane for good all-round durability and furniture, joinery and panelling in wet areas. It gives a yellow tone to timber and is best suited to timbers with a yellow, orange or red undertone – such as cedar, rimu, kauri, eucalyptus and jarrah.

Safety tip  Rags or papers soaked with oil-based paints or varnishes can catch fire through spontaneous combustion. After use allow them to dry out and air flat in open areas away from combustible materials rather than crumpled up. Or immerse rags etc. in water and then put them in a sealed container. Not all products are prone to spontaneous combustion but it pays to be cautious.

Tips for using interior clear finishes

• Sand new timber to remove any surface imperfections. As Resene Colorwood is transparent any residual marks or blemishes on the surface will be apparent in the finished job. Remember to always sand with the grain of the timber.

• Pay special attention to creating a dust free area. A thorough dust and vacuum will help greatly. Be careful not to use old brushes or rollers with dried out paint embedded in the bristles.

• As a final surface preparation step wipe down bare timber or old varnish with a tack-rag.

• Stir the clear gently with a broad knife or clean stirrer. Avoid shaking clear finishes as this may entrain air.

• Satin or matt finish clear coatings contain flatting pigments and the contents are more likely to settle, stir regularly during the application period.

• Use smooth even brushstrokes.

• For ma-tai or to-tara timber the antioxidants in the timber may prevent Resene Qristal products from drying. Seal with Resene Aquaclear.

• Old varnishes will be very difficult to get adhesion to. Very thorough sanding is required.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of Habitat magazine?

• Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
• Specifiers: Sign up for Habitat here.

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit Habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.