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1. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 24, 2006 06:18pm | #1

   Yes you can, if the varnish is oil based. Linseed oil is a typical constituent of oil based varnishes.

   Special application techniques? Nothing special. Put it on with a brush, a good one designed especially for varnish. They're about US$15- 20 and one brand to look for is Purdy (in the US). Dunk the brush into a pot of thinner for 5-10 minutes to reduce the build up of dried out varnish building up on the bristles. Clean the brush thoroughly after use and wrap the bristles in a paper towel whilst they dry to help keep their shape.

   Don't overwork the varnish, and do drag the brush from the centre of a panel over the edge (as opposed to brushing from the edge towards the centre.) This prevents runs, curtains and sags. It's a bit trickier around frame and panel parts, but you'll find the way with practice. Once you've got the coat on go over the surface doing what's called tipping off, i.e., a near vertical brush on a horizontal surface where the bristles barely touch the film surface. This helps any bubbles in the finish work their way out.

   You can thin the first coat with about 10%-20% thinners to help it flow out. In fact you can thin additional coats by about 10%. Two or three brushed coats should be all you need. You'll probably need to rub down between coats with something like 280 grit 320 grit stearated paper to knock off any knibs or bits of snot.

   You'll probably be best to apply gloss for the one or two coats followed by the desired sheen for the top coat. This will resist any tendency for cloudiness or milkiness to develop as you apply additional coats of a matt or a satin varnish. The sheen is caused by the addition of silica to the varnish, and the silica particles do tend to black light. Gloss has no silica in it, therefore it's clearer.

   You could also spray the stuff-- messy, or even thin the varnish about 50-50 with thinner and wipe it on with raghs and/or paper towels. I'll let someone describe those methods as I've whittered on long enough, and done carefully brushing on should give good results. Slainte.

   Richard Jones Furniture