How to Use Varnish to Finish Wood
Follow the lead set by custom furniture makers, and use varnish to finish your prized wood pieces. Varnish is an oil-based product that manufacturers create by boiling different types of oil and combining it with a resin. Consumers have a choice of satin or glossy formulas, as well as products that are suited for indoor or outdoor projects. Choose harder, coarser grained woods -- such as ash, oak and walnut -- over fine grain woods -- such as pine and maple -- to produce the best results. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clean your work space thoroughly. Set up a ventilation system that promotes adequate air flow but does not blow air directly on the piece you are varnishing. Inspect your area throughout the process because dust in the air or on your brush prevents you from creating a smooth and glossy varnished surface.
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Thin the first coat of varnish by adding 1 part pure turpentine to 3 parts varnish. Brush the varnish where it will seep in and fill cells in the wood to create a more protective finish than a full-strength, thicker coat of varnish.
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Brush with long, even strokes that cover as much of the surface as you can reach comfortably. Apply the varnish by making two passes over the wood, brush the first strokes across the grain of the wood, and brush the second strokes with the grain. Move quickly to apply the coat because you only have a few minutes before the varnish begins to set up.
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Let the varnish dry in a dust-free environment for at least 24 hours.
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Sand the piece with a random-orbit sander and a 220-grit disc. Remove sanding remnants with a tack cloth.
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Apply a second coat with the varnish at full strength. Repeat the technique of first brushing across the grain, and then with the grain. Allow the piece to dry for 24 hours. Add additional coats to create your desired level of gloss. Sand between each coat. Wait 72 hours after applying the final coat to use the varnished piece.
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Tips & Warnings
Work in a secluded place or during a time of low activity to reduce vibrations from outside sources that can stir up dust in your workspace.
Practice on scrap wood to determine how many coats you want to use for your final product, as well as to perfect your brushing technique.
References
Resources
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