Resin vs. Varnish — What's the Difference?

In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. Resins are usually mixtures of organic compounds.

Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain.

A sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants (notably fir and pine)

Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry

A solid or liquid synthetic organic polymer used as the basis of plastics, adhesives, varnishes, or other products

Apply varnish to

Rub or treat with resin

A liquid that contains a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder and is applied to a surface to produce a hard, transparent finish after evaporation and curing.

Any of numerous clear to translucent yellow or brown, solid or semisolid, viscous substances of plant origin, such as copal, rosin, and amber, used principally in lacquers, varnishes, inks, adhesives, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Resins are usually insoluble in water.

The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this liquid

Any of numerous physically similar polymerized synthetics or chemically modified natural resins including thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and polyethylene and thermosetting materials such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones that are used with fillers, stabilizers, pigments, and other components to form plastics.

Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.

To treat or rub with resin.

An often deceptive external appearance or outward show

A viscous hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees.

To cover with varnish.

Any of various yellowish viscous liquids or soft solids of plant origin; used in lacquers, varnishes and many other applications; chemically they are mostly hydrocarbons, often polycyclic.

To give a smooth and glossy finish to.

Any synthetic compound of similar properties.

To give a superficial or deceptive appearance to

(transitive) To apply resin to.

A type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to leave a hard, transparent, glossy film.

Any one of a class of yellowish brown solid inflammable substances, of vegetable origin, which are nonconductors of electricity, have a vitreous fracture, and are soluble in ether, alcohol, and essential oils, but not in water; specif., pine resin (see Rosin).

Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.

Any of various polymeric substance resembling the natural resins[1], prepared synthetically; - they are used, especially in particulate form, in research and industry for their property of specifically absorbing or adsorbing substances of particular types; they are especially useful in separation processes such as chromatography; as, an ion-exchange resin.

(by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.

Any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules

A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.

(intransitive) To apply varnish.

(transitive) To cover up with varnish.

(transitive) To make something superficially or deceptively attractive

(transitive) To gloss over a defect.

A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries, either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree, the influences of air and moisture.

That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance.

An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss.

To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces, when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table; to varnish a painting.

To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt.

Paint that provides a hard glossy transparent coating

Cover with varnish