What's the difference between a can of polyurethane and can of clear coat? I keep seeing both and I'm not sure which one to use.

Mara

Clear Coat is nonpigmented paint that is usually applied over a base coat paint as on automobiles. It contains acrylic resins. Polyurethane is a polymer containing urethane links. Which one you use depends on the project. What makes matters more confusing is that you will see Clear Coat Polyurethane on labels.

The term “clear coat” as it applies to architectural paint is a generic term referring to a variety of un-pigmented finishes used primarily for wood finishing.

The common clear coats used in wood finishing are: lacquer, shellac, varnish and polyurethane. Each of these clear coats are made from different resins which have different properties as pertaining to application and end use.

There are also clear coats used for purposes other than wood finishing. For example there are clear coats used to protect faux finishes. These clear coats are usually made from acrylic resins and are waterborne.