Benjamin Moore Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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

• Sealer: 1 coat Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane
• Finish: 1-2 or more coats Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane

• 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.

Q: Which sheens of Benjamin Moore Stays Clear can be used on floors?

A: The Low Lustre and High Gloss sheens are suitable for floors, offering both protection and an attractive finish. However, the Flat sheen is not recommended for floor use.

Q: What Makes Benjamin Moore Stays Clear Different from Traditional Clear Finishes?

A: Stays Clear is a premium waterborne acrylic polyurethane finish that offers several advantages over traditional oil-based or solvent-based clear coatings:

• Non-Yellowing Formula: Unlike many oil-based finishes, Stays Clear remains crystal clear over time, making it ideal for use over light or white painted surfaces and decorative finishes.
• Low Odor & Low VOCs: It has a significantly lower odor and VOC content compared to traditional solvent-based clears, making it safer and more pleasant for indoor use.
• Fast Dry Time: Stays Clear dries quickly and allows for faster recoat times, helping you complete projects more efficiently.
• Durability: It provides a tough, protective finish that resists scratches, scuffs, and household chemicals—ideal for surfaces that need to stand up to regular use.

Q: Can Benjamin Moore Stays Clear Be Used on Previously Painted or Decorative Surfaces?

A: Yes, Stays Clear is compatible with previously painted or decorative surfaces, including murals, kitchens, stenciling, and furniture—as long as the existing paint is clean, fully cured, and in good condition. It is recommended to

• Cleaning the Surface Thoroughly: Remove dust, grease, or any contaminants.
• Lightly Sanding (if appropriate): This promotes better adhesion, especially on glossy surfaces.
• Testing in an Inconspicuous Area First: Especially with decorative or specialty. finishes, this ensures compatibility and prevents any undesired reactions or color shifts.
• For surfaces painted with dark or vibrant colors, a small test area is also recommended to make sure there’s no visible sheen shift or clouding.

Delivery

All orders placed on a working day before 3pm will be dispatched on the same day for next working day delivery. Orders placed before 3pm on Friday will be delivered on Monday (excluding bank holidays). Orders placed on weekends and Bank Holidays will be dispatched on the next working day. All orders have a charge of £3.99 for express delivery. We strongly suggest customers avoid booking tradespeople until they receive their order. Next Day Paint will not be held liable for any costs incurred due to order processing errors, delivery delays, or other issues that may result in financial loss.

Special Delivery

You can now choose some special delivery options. 

• AM Delivery: Get your order by 2pm
  If placed on a working day before 3pm, the AM Delivery will be dispatched on the same day for Next Working Day delivery. 
  Orders placed before 3pm on Friday will be delivered on Monday AM (excluding bank holidays). Orders placed on weekends and Bank Holidays will be dispatched on the next working day for delivery on the following AM. All orders have a charge of £12.99 for AM delivery.

• Late Cut-Off: Get an extra hour to place your order for Next Working Day delivery.
  Orders placed on a working day before 4pm will be dispatched on the same day for Next Working Day delivery. 
  Orders placed before 4pm on Friday will be delivered on Monday (excluding bank holidays). Orders placed on weekends and Bank Holidays will be dispatched on the next working day. All orders have a charge of £5.99 for Late Cut-Off delivery.

• Saturday Delivery: Get your order on Saturday
  Option available on Fridays. Orders placed on Friday before 3pm will be delivered on Saturday. All orders have a charge of £9.95 for Saturday delivery.

Exceptions

We do not deliver to the Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland

Certain postcodes delivery times and charges may vary please head to the cart to see your available delivery options.

Returns

We offer a 14 day money back guarantee for all goods shipped correctly that are not required. If the item is not required, please send the item back for a full refund in its original condition, unused with its original packaging. Please note return for unwanted item is at your own expense.

Contact us as soon as possible to inform us you will be returning the product either by the contact form below or by calling our team on 0161 960 0217.

Please note that all tinted paint purchases are final and non-refundable, if you are unsure this is your product please check the listing or contact us for details. Once an order is processed and mixed, it cannot be returned or refunded, even in cases of delivery delays or changes in circumstances.

While we strive to meet delivery timelines, we are not responsible for any delays once the product has been shipped. Delivery times may vary due to factors such as courier delays, weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control.

We always recommend getting samples or contacting us for free of charge colourcharts. We do our best to represent colours as accurately as possible however screens variations and different surfaces can alter this. Unfortunately in the event you do not like the colour we are unable to accept the product back if they it has been opened.

Damaged Paint

Please visit our damages page where we can help resolve the issue for you. 

Incorrect Item

We will be happy to organise an exchange for the correct goods at no extra charge to yourself, please get in touch to organise this.

Faulty Items

If you find a fault with your product, we can offer a full refund or exchange within 30 days. We test every product that is returned to us, sadly if a product is found to have no fault we cannot refund this and the you will be given the option to have this returned to you. Please get in touch to discuss these options. If you find fault after 30 days of purchase you may wish to contact the manufacturer directly as they will be able to offer support with the product.