How To Varnish Wood

  • December 31, 2009
  • 5,967 Views

kevinveselka from Kevin Veselka (and 3 others)

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Varnishing wood requires patience and attention to detail. Follow these steps to get a beautiful, long-lasting finish.

You Will Need

  • Work space
  • Newspaper
  • Sandpaper
  • Tack cloth
  • Varnish
  • Mineral spirits
  • Container
  • Brush
How To Varnish Wood: Prepare your workspace

Step 1: Prepare your workspace

If you’re inside, make sure your work space is well ventilated and free of dust. Lay down newspaper to protect the floors. If working outdoors, choose a spot where wind will not blow dust and debris onto your freshly varnished surface.

How To Varnish Wood: Prepare your surface

Step 2: Prepare your surface

Give the wood a light sanding with very fine grained sandpaper. Sand with the grain of the wood, not against it. Wipe the wood clean with tack cloth.

Lay pieces flat to avoid runs in the finish.

How To Varnish Wood: Step 3

Step 3

Use the right varnish.

How To Varnish Wood: Thin the varnish

Step 4: Thin the varnish

Thin the varnish by mixing with an equal part mineral spirits in your container. Thinning ensures a hard cure.

How To Varnish Wood: Apply the first coat

Step 5: Apply the first coat

Apply the varnish against the grain to a small area. Immediately go over the same area again with the brush, this time with the grain, and repeat over the whole piece. The first coat acts as a sealer.

Do not leave your varnished piece in direct sunlight or it will dry too quickly.

How To Varnish Wood: Prepare for the second coat

Step 6: Prepare for the second coat

Allow the first coat to dry overnight or longer. Then sand the piece again with very fine sandpaper. Wipe off the dust with tack cloth.

How To Varnish Wood: Apply the second coat

Step 7: Apply the second coat

Pour the varnish into your container. Do not thin the varnish. Apply the varnish with the grain.

For best results, apply varnish in thin, even coats.

How To Varnish Wood: Add more coats

Step 8: Add more coats

Add more coats as needed, sanding lightly before each application. If applied properly, varnish will provide a beautiful and durable finish for many years.

Varnish found on 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy cases still looks good today.

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Comments (15)

rsansivero

One of the best videos I've seen. Great job.

over 2 years ago by rsansivero

Reply
ermi

Practice

over 2 years ago by ermi

Reply
kevinveselka

Practice

over 2 years ago by kevinveselka

Reply
ermi

Practice

over 2 years ago by ermi

Reply
kevinveselka

Practice

over 2 years ago by kevinveselka

Reply
sanjay

Amazing video.

over 2 years ago by sanjay

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MKF

Brilliant.

over 2 years ago by MKF

Reply
ermi

Practice

over 2 years ago by ermi

Reply
kevinveselka

Practice

over 2 years ago by kevinveselka

Reply
ermi

Gifted(talented)

over 2 years ago by ermi

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kevinveselka

;)

over 2 years ago by kevinveselka

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Adrian_Velmark_Flores_Tempra

Nice effects

over 2 years ago by Adrian_Velmark_Flores_Tempra

Reply
BCipolla

Beautiful!

over 2 years ago by BCipolla

Reply
Artfaux

nice video, but the music drowned out the voiceover

over 2 years ago by Artfaux

Reply
Dwelme

Great Job , amazing video

about 1 year ago by Dwelme

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