Clear Coats & Topcoats

Clear Coats & Topcoats for Logs & Wood

A clear topcoat is what makes your stain last and your maintenance easy. Applied over a log stain, a quality clear coat adds UV protection, water and mildew resistance, and a finished sheen — and it lets you refresh your home by recoating rather than restaining. At Wasatch Timber, we carry Sashco's clear coat system: Cascade for exteriors and Symphony for interior log and wood surfaces.

Exterior vs. Interior Clear Coats

Cascade Clear Topcoat goes over Capture Log Stain on exterior logs to bring out the depth and character of your woodgrain while protecting against moisture, mildew, and algae. Its biggest advantage is maintenance: predictable, affordable upkeep means reapplying Cascade where needed, when needed — no smelly mineral spirits, no full restain. It's available in semi-gloss and matte. Symphony Interior Clear Coat is the non-yellowing, washable, scuff-resistant finish for interior logs and wood, creating an atmosphere of cozy warmth while standing up to everyday wear and easy dusting. It comes in gloss and satin.

Why a Clear Coat Matters

Stain alone gives color, but the clear coat is the sacrificial protective layer that takes the abuse from sun and weather. When it's time to maintain, you reapply the topcoat rather than stripping and restaining the whole home — saving significant time and cost over the life of the house. Pairing the right stain with its matched topcoat is what delivers a finish that lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a clear coat over my log stain?
It's strongly recommended for exterior logs. The topcoat adds UV and moisture protection and makes future maintenance a simple recoat instead of a full restain.

What's the difference between Cascade and Symphony?
Cascade is the exterior topcoat designed to go over Capture stain. Symphony is the interior clear coat for log and wood surfaces inside the home, formulated to resist yellowing and stay washable.

How often do I need to reapply?
It depends on sun and weather exposure, but the whole point of the system is easy spot-maintenance — reapply where the finish shows wear rather than redoing the entire surface.

Gloss, satin, or matte?
That's a look preference. Cascade offers semi-gloss and matte for exteriors; Symphony offers gloss and satin for interiors.

Questions about matching a topcoat to your stain? Get a free quote.