[Sabreman]

Minwax Spar Varnish is a fine product and not at all unorthodox. You did fine, but you need many more coats and keep up with it at least yearly. Looks nice.

Until you have to do it over.... and over...... and once again, and again, again...

Oh yeah, I'll never go that route again.

 

[Sabreman]

I am hoping for something that once a year I can go around with 1000 grit, acetone wipe and recoat.

Do not use acetone. You only need to sand with 320 between coats, tack, and then apply another coat. Acetone is only for the first coat until the wood is sealed.

This is what Minwax Spar Urethane and Minwax Wipe on Poly gets you.

 

[Sabreman]

Beware of Minwax Wipe on Poly. It grows mold and mildew in damp environments like it was designed to.

The wipe on poly is only brush-on poly that's been thinned. Mold can grow on the surface because the surface is not adequately sealed and because enough coats have not been applied (I use either wipe on ply or Zinsser Sealcoat). I use Minwax Wipe-on Poly almost exclusively with my furniture builds. I have never had mold grow on it. This is what Wipe-on Poly gets you.