Varnish vs. Hardener — What's the Difference?

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

One that hardens, especially a substance added to varnish or paint to give it a harder surface or finish.

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

One who, or that which, hardens.

Apply varnish to

A chemical substance added to something in order to harden it; used especially with paints, varnishes and resins.

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.

One who, or that which, hardens; specif., one who tempers tools.

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

Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.

An often deceptive external appearance or outward show

To cover with varnish.

To give a smooth and glossy finish to.

To give a superficial or deceptive appearance to

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

Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.

(by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.

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