Cheap Varnish

Nanako

I've just finished painting a plastic window frame in a glossy deep blue. It was a bit costly, requiring a layer of primer and some expensive tile paint. But it looks wonderful and now I want to protect it

I'm trying to buy clear gloss varnish to put a protective layer on it, but this stuff is sold in such small quantities. I want a few litres of it, this is a moderately large surface and it won't be the last 

Any Idea how I can get a clear durable protective layer for cheap?

Bigphil1474

Where are you looking? I'd usually go to the local DIY store or B&Q where varnish is sold in 750ml or 1 litre tins. You'd probably have to look online for larger tins, and delivery costs would be high. Amazon might be your best bet to avoid high delivery costs. If you've spent loads on doing the painting, you don't want a cheap coating over it.

stuart45

I'd agree with Bigphil474 about not using a cheap varnish, especially on a window frame. 2 part vanishes are better, and you need one for plastic. Ones for timber are designed to soak into it.

chrisw

A layer of varnish on a plastic window sounds awful. I would have thought it better to just keep some of the paint for touch ups etc.

Nanako

chrisw said:

A layer of varnish on a plastic window sounds awful. I would have thought it better to just keep some of the paint for touch ups etc.

i am also doing this, got a mason jar of it premixed in a cupboard

but still, i have had to retouch an area three times to get the right smooth surface i want, this paint is very prone to lumpiness and deformity, i would prefer not to retouch it again anytime soon

Nanako

Bigphil1474 said:

Where are you looking? I'd usually go to the local DIY store or B&Q where varnish is sold in 750ml or 1 litre tins. You'd probably have to look online for larger tins, and delivery costs would be high. Amazon might be your best bet to avoid high delivery costs. If you've spent loads on doing the painting, you don't want a cheap coating over it.

Well i don't know much about varnishing at all, what are the qualities of a good varnish? And price doesnt always equal quality

The windowframe is plastic, UPVC i think, and on top of it, the paint is "High gloss enamel based on acrylic polyurethane resin "

What kind of varnish do i need to protect this surface? What should i expect it to cost?