Epifanes Woodfinish Matte varnish for a hand rubbed look
Some woods fight a finish. Teak, iroko, and other oily woods push back, and a lot of varnishes never get a good grip. Epifanes Woodfinish Matte is built for exactly those woods. It’s a one component varnish made from urethane alkyd resins and tung oil, so you brush it straight from the can.
It goes on opaque and dries clear amber with a matte sheen, the kind of soft, hand rubbed look you’d normally have to rub out by hand. There’s a UV absorber in the mix to help it stand up outdoors, and it flows out well for good scratch and weather resistance above the waterline.
How to use it
- Works on marine and household woods, interior and exterior, above the waterline
- Best built up over Epifanes Clear Gloss Varnish, Woodfinish Gloss, or well cured Epifanes Polyurethane Clear Gloss
- Recoat within 72 hours and you can skip the sanding between coats
A good choice for teak trim, oily hardwoods, and any wood where you want a low sheen that still protects.
Frequently asked questions
What woods is Epifanes Woodfinish Matte made for?
It is built for oily woods like teak and iroko, where many other finishes will not grip. It is a good choice for teak trim, oily hardwoods, and any wood where you want a low sheen that still protects.
Do you have to sand between coats of Epifanes Woodfinish Matte?
Not if you recoat within 72 hours. Recoat inside that window and you can skip sanding between coats. It is a one component varnish, so you brush it on without mixing or thinning.
Can Epifanes Woodfinish Matte be used outdoors?
Yes. It holds up inside and out, above the waterline, on marine and household woods. It has a built-in UV absorber to help it stand up outdoors and flows out well for good scratch and weather resistance above the waterline.
Does Epifanes Woodfinish Matte need to go over a gloss varnish first?
It is best built up over Epifanes Clear Gloss Varnish, Woodfinish Gloss, or well cured Epifanes Polyurethane Clear Gloss. Built that way it dries to a soft matte with a hand rubbed look.
Finishing wood the old-world way? These guides from The Craftsman Blog show you how to get a durable, beautiful result.
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From The Craftsman Blog
Spar Varnish Vs Regular Varnish
Outdoor wood faces UV, humidity swings, and temperature extremes that destroy ordinary varnish — which is where spar varnish comes in. Scott explains the difference. Useful before you choose a matte marine-grade finish.

