Overview

Benjamin Moore Stays Clear is a premium, highly durable, acrylic polyurethane clear finish that combines the durability of polyurethane with the clarity of acrylic resins. Designed for interior use, it offers excellent resistance to scratches, stains, water, alcohol, and household chemicals. With fast-drying, low-odour and non-yellowing properties, it’s ideal for protecting wood surfaces, previously painted areas, and decorative faux finishes.

• Tough & Highly durable finish
• Excellent scratch, stain & chemical resistance
• Non-yellowing, crystal-clear finish
• Fast-drying & low odour for convenient application
• Versatile use on wood, painted surfaces, and faux finishes

Note: Stays Clear in a Flat finish is not suitable for use on floors.

Preparation

Ensure the surface is clean, free from wax, dirt, grease, dust, and other contaminants.

• Glossy surfaces must be dulled with sandpaper or synthetic steel wool. Do not use steel wool loose fibres will cause rusting in the finish coat.
• Open grained woods such as oak or mahogany that will be subject to water or liquid spills should be filled with an interior wood grain filler according to label instructions.

Raw Wood:

• New interior wood must be sanded smooth. Use fine sandpaper following the grain of the wood to achieve a smooth finish.
• Stays Clear may be used as both the sealer and finish on raw wood.
• Allow sufficient dry time before sanding lightly and applying topcoats.

Old Finishes:

• Do not apply over sealers containing silicones, wax, or stearate.
• Remove old finishes which are chipping, peeling, or in otherwise poor condition. Remove any and all old finishes containing wax or stearate.
• Other finishes in good condition must be sanded lightly with fine sandpaper until smooth.
• Surfaces requiring complete restoration must have the finish removed by either power sanding or use of paint and varnish remover, then treated as new surface.

Note: The application of this or any clear acrylic finish over fresh alkyd coatings may cause yellowing of the basecoat.

Application

Always test a small area of the surface to be treated to ensure compatibility

• Stir thoroughly before and occasionally during use to ensure a uniform sheen.
Brush:
• Apply as received in the container with a good quality synthetic brush or painting pad.
• Apply along the grain of the wood in thin, even, uniform coats. Keep a wet-edge during application and avoid working back into partially dry areas.
Roller:
• Large smooth surfaces can be coated using a short-nap roller in thin, even, uniform coats. Keep a wet-edge during application and avoid working back into partially dry areas.

Spray:

• Airless: Pressure / 1 500 – 2 000 PSI Tip / 0.011 – 0.015
This is a Primer/Finish System
• Sealer: 1 coat Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane
• Finish: 1-2 or more coats Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane
One-Day Finishing (Floors):
• Apply in thin, even coats following grain of wood. For 3 coat/1-day application, allow at least 3 hours dry time between coats.
• Sand lightly with fine sandpaper between applications. If sandpaper gums when sanding, insufficient drying time has been allowed between coats.

Optimal conditions are 60 °F to 80° F and 30% to 60% relative humidity. After final coat has been applied, avoid heavy traffic on floors during the initial 24 hours. In addition, care should be taken during first week after application, especially when replacing furniture.

Always follow manufacturer's instructions found on the tin

Note: Do not thin - thinning will reduce the sealing ability of this product. Do not add other paints or solvents.

Aftercare & Storage

Coated surfaces can be washed after two weeks.