Behlen Rockhard™ Table Top Varnish

• Low VOC formula is compliant in most districts.
• Sets free of dust in four hours.
• For interior use only.
• Use mineral spirits or paint thinner for clean-up.
• Warning: Vapor harmful. Combustible liquid and vapor.
Keep out of reach of children.

What's in the Box?

(1) Quart of Behlen Rockhard™ Urethane Varnish

I used the gloss version of this varnish on a dining table this winter. All in all, I think it is a very good finish. I've noticed the finish is less hard as in brittle glass, but more hard as in kevlar. There is a certain give and flexibility yet resistance to being cuts or penetrations that makes this varnish a great barrier to silverware or sweating glassware. I did have problems with streaking when applying the varnish. The varnish is very thick. Brush strokes were very visible and unsightly in a high gloss finish. I found this was made better by thinning the varnish down with mineral spirits and applying thinner coats. This was probably just my lack of expertise, but thought I'd mention it in case anyone encounters it. Directions should be on the back of the can to describe how to best apply this varnish to reduce brush strokes because the instructions there did the opposite.

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Rating this product as very good for the moment, as it is the 'new formula' and I have yet to let it fully cure in order to compare it to the 'old cooked formula'. Using the gloss on a quartersawn sapele extension dining table. Applied 4 washcoats of 1.5# cut super blonde shellac sanding w/ 220 in between. Ten applied 3 coasts of the varnish (thinned 25%), letting each coat cure 1 week, sanding w/ 320 and reapplying next coat. Finally applied 3 full strength coats, following same process. Last coat was very heavy and flowed on with a 3" badger brush. Settled and self-leveled very nicely with minimal nibs. Now going to wait 4-6 weeks to fully cure, then try buffing with Menzerna FG400/SI1500/SF4000 or 4500. Then we'll know how well it compares to the old formulas - which could be buffed to a mirror finish.