How to Waterproof a Water Fountain With Spar Marine Varnish

Clean the surface of the fountain with a pH-neutral cleanser and a scrub brush to remove any dirt or debris. Rinse off the cleanser with a hose and then wait an hour for the fountain to air-dry.

Remove any gloss from applied finishes on the fountain with fine-grit sandpaper. Lightly sand the fountain with the sandpaper, taking care not to sand through any paint coating or stain. Wipe the surface clean of any residue from sanding with a tack cloth.

Open the spar marine varnish can and stir the varnish thoroughly using a wooden stirring stick.

Brush the varnish over the surface of the fountain with a natural bristle paintbrush. Cover the surface entirely with a thin layer of the varnish. Use long even strokes of the paintbrush for application, working from the top of the fountain to the base in order to brush over any runs created during the application. Wait overnight for the varnish layer to dry.

Sand the dried varnish smooth using fine-grit sandpaper, removing any signs of imperfection in the coating, including any brushstrokes left on the fountain from application. Wipe away any sanding residue with a tack cloth then apply a second coat. Follow the same application and sanding process for the second layer. Repeat the same process once more for a total of three coats.