Applying Varnish Like a Pro

• It’s important to keep as much dust as possible out of your work area while varnishing. Vacuum the work area first, then use a water-filled spray bottle to spray water on the floor or ground to keep the dust down.
• If varnishing indoors, be sure you have adequate lighting so you can see skips, or holidays. A flashlight beam aimed horizontally across the surface will make any skips stand out.
• If varnishing outdoors, avoid working in direct sunlight, or if temperatures exceed the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation. Also, time it so a fresh coat has adequate time to skin over before nightfall comes, and damaging dew sets in.
• Bubbles are bad–avoid them by not stirring aggressively or shaking the can of varnish.
• Filter the varnish by pouring it through a synthetic mesh strainer into a separate pot or container. Do not apply the varnish directly from the can. Pour only the amount of varnish you need at the time; it’s not recommended to pour extra varnish back into the can, to avoid contamination.
• If brushing, dip less than half the length of the bristles into the varnish, so you get more varnish at the tip, where it’s needed.
• If brushing or rolling & tipping, apply varnish in the direction of the grain.
• Keep a wet edge to avoid brush marks by brushing from the new area into the area just varnished.
• If you’re seeing bubbles in the varnished surface while brushing or rolling & tipping, make a final pass with the brush very slowly over the area, using very light pressure. This action will remove the bubbles.
• Don’t apply the varnish thicker than the manufacturer recommends because it will skin over on the surface, trapping solvents underneath. The varnish will not cure properly, and can stay soft.
• Keep an eye out for drips on vertical surfaces.
• If a small bug or dust speck gets stuck in the varnish before it tacks over, diving in after it and digging it out with your fingers will only make it worse. Leave it where it lands and sand it out between coats.
• Sanding between coats: After a coat of varnish has dried, if the previous coat looks really good, use a ScotchBrite pad (instead of sandpaper) to scuff the surface lightly. If the previous coat has slight imperfections, sand lightly with 220-320 grit sandpaper to even it out and allow the next coat of varnish to achieve a sound mechanical bond with the surface. Sand only as much as you need to. Use a gentle, even motion to remove any peaks or bugs, and most importantly, to avoid sanding through the previous coat. After sanding, and before applying the next coat, wipe with a lint-free rag coated in mineral spirits to remove dust, and allow the solvent to flash.
• Storing brushes between coats: Wrap varnish brushes in plastic wrap and place in the freezer so you don’t have to clean them as often. This solution is only good for a couple of hours or days, though, depending on the varnish.

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