How To Varnish Your Home
Varnish is a great way to protect wood from scratches, water damage and general wear and tear. If you want to increase the life and the looks of your wood, use varnish or polyurethane and apply
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Buying Varnish
There are a variety of different finishes to consider before you varnish your wooden items. You can choose between semi-gloss, matte, gloss, satin or flat depending on your personal preference.
Prepare
Varnish produces a lot of fumes and spills can be extremely hard to remove. Make sure your work area is well ventilated and lay down newspaper or sheets of scrap material to soak up spillages. Get some rubber gloves too, as varnish is best avoided on skin.
Wood
The wood should be sanded down before varnishing, then given a hearty clean with a wet cloth.
First Coat
Stir the varnish before use and remember to do so periodically throughout the process, so it doesn’t set. Use a foam brush and do the first coat in thin layers to get an even finish. Paint the varnish onto the wood in long, smooth strokes using just the tip of the brush.
Drying and Sanding
The first coat will need to be left to dry for several hours before you can paint on the second layer. When the first coat has set, rough the surface a little by sanding the wood down using fine-grit sandpaper. Only do this lightly, as you don’t want to completely remove what you’ve just done.
To Finish
Apply a second coat of varnish and repeat the same process of drying and sanding. Three layers is generally enough, although if you want to do more, simply keep repeating the same process.
*How To articles are intended as advice only. Please refer to your completion documents for specific information on lease and covenant restrictions and maintenance of your home.*
