5 Best Finishes for Cornhole Boards

If you’re anything like me, cornhole is a staple of just about every family gathering.

It’s a fun way to pass the time with friends and family, but you have to use the right finish on your board to get that smooth finish you need.

In this post, I’ll help you find the best finish you can use for cornhole boards. Let’s dig in!

In a hurry? In my opinion, Minwax Water-Based Clear Polycrylic is the best finish for cornhole boards because it’s tough, super-smooth, and great at highlighting wood grain, stain, paint, etc.

Types of Finishes for Cornhole Boards

Polycrylic Finish

Polycrylic is an excellent finish for cornhole boards because it’s quick-drying, easy to spread, durable, and quite smooth when applied properly.

In many ways it’s like water-based polyurethane, but it’s slightly more durable and even easier to use.

Now, to be clear, you will have to do cornhole board maintenance more if you use this wood finish, but maintenance is usually as simple as some light sanding before wiping down with warm, soapy water.

If you plan to use polycrylic, check out this guide on how to make it more slippery for your cornhole boards.

Polyurethane

There are two kinds of polyurethane, and both can work well on cornhole boards.

Water-based polyurethane is thinner, so it dries quickly. But it’s still durable enough to protect a cornhole board, even one that’s solely used outdoors.

Oil-based polyurethane, on the other hand, is more viscous, so it takes longer to dry. But it’s incredibly tough, providing exceptional protection from all the forces that wear down wood over time.

However, oil-based polyurethane leaves a yellowish tint most of the time, so you shouldn’t use it with lighter woods. Also, it’s more toxic than its water-based counterpart.

Spar Urethane

Spar urethane is tough enough to seal boats and marine structures, so of course it’s tough enough for a cornhole board.

And even though it’s super-thick, it’s pretty easy to smooth out, so don’t worry too much about getting an even surface off the bat.

But just like with oil-based poly, you have to watch out for spar urethane’s tint and toxicity. Otherwise it can be the ultimate solution when you need a finish that’ll hold up against the elements.

Shellac

Shellac is an all-natural wood finish, so it’s great for bringing out wood’s natural beauty.

It may not be the strongest finish out there, but it can still adequately protect cornhole boards outdoors, even if they’re constantly being rained on.

You can apply several light coats or a couple thick coats when you use this stuff; just make sure the last coat is even and smooth.

And when you have to sand between coats, make sure to gently sand with fine sandpaper, otherwise you may take off more finish than you intended.

Danish Oil

Danish wood oil has been around for a long time, and it’s arguably the most sought-after wood oil because it’ll strengthen a wood surface while enhancing its visual appeal at the same time.

And unlike tung- and linseed-oil, danish wood oil is food-safe, which may seem irrelevant in an article about cornhole boards, but it’s not. After all, this quality shows danish oil’s reliability and versatility.

The only thing you need to be aware of is its capacity to darken the woods it’s applied to. It can be used with light-colored woods, but you have to be extra careful.

Are you wondering how to finish a cornhole board? Check the video below!

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1. Minwax Water-Based Clear Polycrylic – #1 Best Overall

Minwax Water-Based Clear Polycrylic boasts the perfect balance of visual appeal and durability, and that’s why it commands the #1 Best Overall spot on my list.

This water-based polycrylic is 100% clear, and it has a very nice satin sheen. Therefore, it works with all—that’s right, ALL—wood species, which is arguably its best quality.

It doesn’t turn yellow or amber over time, and it’s less toxic and less odorous because it has a minimal amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Love that!

A three-coat wood sealer, it dries in just two hours, and you only need to give the final coat 24 hours of drying time before your cornhole board is ready for its debut game.

And when it comes to paints and stains, this polycrylic can be applied to both oil-based and water-based. Also, it’s easy to clean up—just use warm, soapy water!

Finally, it’s backed by a pretty generous Minwax warranty/satisfaction guarantee, so I can use it with greater peace of mind.

What I Liked:

• Since it’s fast-drying and easy to apply, you’ll be able to use your cornhole board quicker.
• It doesn’t yellow or amber over time, so I don’t have to worry about discoloration.
• It’s relatively cheap and very versatile, so it’s incredibly cost-effective.
• Since it has a satin sheen, I don’t have to worry about it being too slippery.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Only for indoor use.
• Multiple coats are needed to form a smooth finish.

2. Varathane Rust-Oleum Ultimate Spar Urethane – Best Quality

If you want your cornhole board to stay in top shape for a long time, I highly suggest picking up some Varathane Rust-Oleum Ultimate Spar Urethane, as this expertly-designed, oil-based spar urethane won’t let you down.

A quart of this stuff can cover 190 square feet, depending on the surface’s porosity, and it has an attractive satin finish.

You can brush, roll, or wipe it on, and it’s relatively easy to spread, unlike other oil-based finishes. I love that!

But since it’s thicker, it takes longer to dry; two hours to be exact. And it’s best to give 8 hours of drying time before adding another coat. The final coat should get 48 hours.

This spar urethane offers superior UV-ray and mold protection too, and it’ll waterproof the wood it’s used on. Therefore, it’s perfect for the outdoors!

And it masterfully expands and contracts as the temperature dictates—something a lot of polys struggle with.

Finally, it’s backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

What I Liked:

• It’s stronger than water-based polyurethane, so it’ll protect against all the things that erode wood.
• You only need two coats to get a finish that’ll last for years.
• Since it’s designed to be ultra-tough, you’ll only need to maintain it once every few years.
• It’s relatively easy to spread, so getting a smooth finish should only take a few minutes.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It will eventually display a yellow tint.
• It has more VOC than water-based polyurethane, so it’s more toxic.

3. Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane – Best Value

Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane is a top-quality oil-based polyurethane in many respects, but it distinguishes itself from its peers by being impressively affordable.

Designed for interior use, this satin poly works well on all kinds of furniture, so of course it’s great for finishing cornhole boards.

It’s relatively quick-drying for an oil-based polyurethane; just 4 hours of drying time and this poly will be ready for another coat. Brilliant!

And while you could get away with just one coat, I like to do multiple coats—this way I can ensure an even, smooth, and durable wood surface.

Finally, since it’s a Minwax product, it’s backed by the same generous warranty I mentioned earlier. What a deal!

What I Liked:

• It’s a quick-drying oil-based polyurethane, so you can complete a project in under 24 hours.
• It’s easy to get a supremely-smooth surface if you use a synthetic bristle brush.
• It works on finished and unfinished cornhole boards, so it’s quite versatile.
• It’s easy to pop air bubbles when the poly coat is drying, leading to a smoother board surface.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It’ll display a yellowish tint over time, which will look bad with bright-white paint.
• Because it has more VOC, it’s rather odorous until it’s had time to dry completely.

4. Zinsser Clear Shellac – Best Natural Wood Finish

If you’re looking for more of a natural wood finish for your cornhole board, consider Zinsser Clear Shellac, as it’s all-natural yet visually appealing and pretty strong too. What more could you ask for?

This wood finish effectively seals all kinds of wood surfaces, so it’s used indoors and outdoors.

Plus, it’s yellowish-clear, leaving more of a matte finish once it’s completely dry. Therefore, you should think twice before using it on woods that are lighter.

As far as drying time goes, this finish will be ready for another coat in just 45 minutes; the final coat should get 24-48 hours of drying time before normal use.

And like all the other wood finishes discussed thus far, it’s backed by a warranty. Basically, you’ll get your money back if you used it properly and don’t like the results. Can’t beat that!

What I Liked:

• Since there are no VOC, this product isn’t just safer but totally eco-friendly too.
• It doesn’t product air bubbles during application, so the process goes quicker.
• Its matte finish makes it ideal for those who want an especially rustic-wood look.
• It works on indoor and outdoor furniture, so you can count on it withstanding the elements.

What I Didn’t Like:

• You need more than one coat to ensure decent protection.
• It has to be maintained at least once a year.

5. Furniture Clinic Danish Oil – Best Wood Oil Finish

There are many kinds of wood oil on the market today, but Furniture Clinic Danish Oil has earned the “Best Wood Oil” title because it’s extremely good at strengthening and beautifying wood surfaces at the same time.

An 8 oz bottle of this water-based wood oil will cover about 200 square feet, and it works both indoors and outdoors. Impressive!

Usually, three coats are all you need to get a durable and eye-catching finish, and each coat should get 4-6 hours of drying time.

Finally, its satin sheen is wonderful, and it’s a big reason why this product works on all wood species.

What I Liked:

• It accentuates wood’s natural features without raising them.
• It doesn’t require sanding between coats, so the application process is dust-free.
• It can be wiped on, so achieving an even, detailed finish will take no time at all.
• It’s far less toxic than other oily finishes, so you can apply it with more peace of mind.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Requires annual maintenance to keep its strength and good appearance.
• If you apply too much oil, you’ll have a big mess on your hands.

What to Consider When Buying a Finish for Cornhole Boards

Durability

Above all else, the wood finish you use for your cornhold board should be durable, even if it’s going to be an indoors-only board.

After all, you’re going to be pelting the board with cornhole bags repeatedly, and while these aren’t hard as stones, enough impacts will cause undeniable wear and tear.

The most durable finishes for cornhole boards are spar urethane and polyurethane; choose either and you’re sure to have a long-lasting board.

Smoothness

It’s essential that your cornhole boards be smooth, otherwise the bags won’t glide gracefully up them as they should.

Of course, you don’t want the cornhole boards so smooth that the bags fly off when they’re thrown with minimal force. Therefore, avoid anything with a super glossy finish.

Polycrylic finish and water-based polyurethane are both great options when it comes to smoothness.

Appearance

When you make your own cornhole board, it’s almost required that you add your own unique flare in some way.

Therefore, you should finish cornhole boards with something that’ll make them pop (in addition to adding much-needed protection).

Again, polycrylic and water-based polyurethane do best here, since they’re clear-coat finishes that don’t display a yellow tint over time.

Price & Warranty

Expect to pay between $25 and $35 for high-quality cornhole board finishes. You can, however, find cheaper products that deliver top-notch results, Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane being a prime example.

Also, if the finish is backed by a warranty, that’s a huge plus. This way you can get your money back, or a new finish, if you don’t like the results you got after using the product as intended.

Final Thoughts

To recap, Minwax Water-Based Clear Polycrylic is the best finish for cornhole boards because it’ll last a long time and be smooth and attractive all the while. Plus, it’s more affordable than its competitors.

Varathane Rust-Oleum Ultimate Spar Urethane is the best in terms of quality because it’s designed to be extremely durable with a nice clear-coat shine.

Last but not least is Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane, a product that flies under the radar because of its low price, but it shouldn’t because its quality is absolutely top-notch.