Varnishing tips

Talking about some of my techniques for varnishing while preparing for the third and final coat on a project. This is with an oil based varnish, though these techniques also apply to water based varnish.

John Heisz has some more tips:

[JohnHeisz]

Wrapping the brush tightly in a plastic bag and putting it in the freezer until next time saves a lot of cleaning. Take it out, let it warm up and it's good to go and the brush is good for 17 years in there.

[JeffGeerling]

"At some point, you gotta get it done."

Ah, so _that's_ the secret to not having piles of unfinished projects on my workbench!

[billfromgermany]

My system for cleaning varnish brushes is the same, up to a point. But the final step is to wash the brush with dish soap, or even a block of soap, and warm water. When the soasp startzs to produce a really good lather, then you know the brush is clean . I also use a metal dog comb to separate the bristles, before finally wrapping the brush in newspaper. My varnish brushes are now over 40 years old. They were expensive to buy, but are now better than ever. Final tip, wet sanding of intermediate coats of varnish helps to produce a miraculous end result.

[JonnyDIY]

Love the applesauce paint thinner jar trick. Thanks Matthias 💕🤙

[cpobyrne]

Nice economical tips for reusing paint thinners for brush cleaning!

[PaulASmyers]

I saw a sign at a marine contractor's office, "Done Is Better Than Perfect". Depressingly true, especially when dealing with boat projects.

[MrLightPanda]

“Decent” for you is decades of experience. You didn’t take a lot of time, but you balanced efficiency with quality. You got probably the smartest outcome

[QuarionL]

Thank you for this video!! I am in the process of spraying a poly finish onto a change table, but I went a bit heavy and had a few drips. Using a card scraper to cut off the bumps fixed it up beautifully :) Such a simple concept that I had not considered before!

[pacogibson]

Thank you for the tips Matthias. I've been a woodworker/finisher for many years but I still learn stuff by watching others like you.

I have always wondered why you prefer varnish to the more modern polyurethanes. It's actually much harder where I live to find varnish.

[brentfrench]

I like the use of the card scraper over sanding! Just seems easier, quicker and less of a mess. Thanks!

[joshmann]

Great finishing tips, and I’ll send a father of the year award along for making your kids beds similar to what I got for doing the same 8 years ago. My kids think they are special, because they are. They saw them get built, and discussed them around the dinner table. Send a shipping address. Bravo.

[willierants]

A video dedicated to painting. Who would've thought this day would come! LOL

I enjoyed it all the same.

[xl]

I had crazy good results with sanding in between layers of paint. Sanded before applying at 120, after layer #1 at 120 + 240, plus one pass at 240 after the layer #2. The result is incredibly smooth, and the surface is reflective at low angles.

[blueberrycheesecakesupremo]

You make almost everything yourself yet you buy pre made apple sauce? MIND BLOWN

[Adamsadventures]

Good tip on the paint thinner. I like to use MEK for parts cleaning and what I do is "filter" it through a paper towel to get out the grit and bigger chunks. MEK evaporates pretty quickly and I'm using it on oily/greasy parts so I only get a little extra usage but it's better than buying a new can for every project.

[dwightl]

I too like using a scraper when possible for the sanding. Personally like using a single edged razor blade for scrapping runs and drips. Better control for me than a chisel. Also easier to get into tight areas as well.

[jjextinguisher]

Great video
I screw in hooks to my projects and hang them up from the ceiling
I also use a hvlp spray gun with a 1.3MM nozzle to apply my finish. It cuts time in half for me. I also paint my pieces before I assembly them using the same method of wire hanging. Body repair shops use this method.

[sbwhddv]

Thank You Matthias! Good tips and sound advice!

[blueroze]

I use a sponge embedded with stainless steel for sanding between coats. lasts longer then sandpaper and doesn't clog.
I spray all my varnish jobs so I have to thin. I mix 50/50 with thinner in a plastic bottle that the thinner comes in. it seals better and it stores longer then a can.

[NoNamesLeft]

"A major disincentive for using oil based varnish is that after the second use, it's just about impossible to perfectly seal the paint can, and the varnish will go bad."
I have found storing resealed cans or jars upside down works. The volatile ingredients don't escape the can/lid interface and stay in suspension better with less drying out.
Some advocate adding marbles to open cans to reduce airspace, but at some point you end up having to clean a bunch of marbles.