spar varnish

noun

1. a durable, weather-resistant varnish applied to unpainted wooden areas, especially on ships.
2. a varnish made from sulfur, rosin, and linseed oil.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spar varnish¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

White recommends using the same epoxy as a base finish coat and topping that with spar varnish.

From Washington Post

Every man in the State who wanted drink knew where to get it, so long as he was satisfied with poor beer, or whisky of about the quality of spar varnish.

From Project Gutenberg

Stirling nodded, and raised his eyes to the rigging of the Pole Star, where spar varnish glistened from yards and masts, and snow-white canvas looped downward like lingerie on clotheslines.

From Project Gutenberg

He uses a waterproof Japanese oil-base pastel stick on a specially coated paper often stiffened with spar varnish to keep it from wrinkling.

From Time Magazine Archive

As the keel and waring strips are put on after the canvas has been painted, they ought to receive two coats of filler and one of spar varnish.

From Project Gutenberg