Thinning Epifanes varnish and wood finish

[Peter McShane]

Has anyone had experience with thining Epifanes varnish and wood finish? Will 333 brushing liquid work? How about gum spirit turps? I am told that mineral spirits will cause the varnish to blush. I don't like paying the long dollar for Epifanes brushing thinner. Also, can I safely use Penetrol? Epifanes says to use their own product.

[Concordia..41]

If I remember right, their thinner is just pure turpentine. I've used Penatrol with no noticeable adverse results - no dramatic improvement either, but I'm a firm believer in using what the manufacturer recommends.

1. I don't pretend to know more about their chemistry than they do.

2. If something goes wrong I like to be able to call them and say, "I did a, b, c, and d per the directions - What's up?" and then learn from their response. If you tell them you did a and b and then thinned it with Uncle Fred's Hooch, they'll just point their finger at the hooch whether that was the problem or not.

3. In comparison to your time and effort involved, what's a few dollars????

BTW - I've been a confirmed Epifanes user for years but based on Scott Rosen's high recommendation just used a can of Detco's Crystal on the latest project. Don't have time for pictures or a synopsis yet, but Crystal's got them hands down in my book!!!!

[ 06-12-2002, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[Jim H]

I used their thinning product with the Woodfinish gloss and turps with the varnish, both worked well. Whatever you use, it's all in the preparation and application.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Peter McShane:
Has anyone had experience with thining Epifanes varnish and wood finish? Will 333 brushing liquid work? How about gum spirit turps? I am told that mineral spirits will cause the varnish to blush. I don't like paying the long dollar for Epifanes brushing thinner. Also, can I safely use Penetrol? Epifanes says to use their own product.My experience with Epifanes is that it behaves funny if thinned with an off-brand thinner. It flows differently, it cures differently, etc. I'd stick with Epifanes thinner.

As to "the long dollar for Epifanes thinners", it's not that long. Around here, it's no more expensive than Interlux 333 brushing liquid. The Jamestown Distributors catalog suggests that it's actually cheaper (prices in US dollars):

</font> Interlux 333 Brushing Luquid, $8.31/quart.</font> Epifanes Thinner, $8.21/litre.</font> Z-spar T-10, USD $8.75/quart.</font>Standardizing price per unit volume to dollars per litre we get:
</font> Interlux 333 Brushing Luquid, $8.78/litre.</font> Epifanes Thinner, $8.21/litre.</font> Z-spar T-10, USD $9.25/litre.</font>

[ 06-12-2002, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Nicholas Carey ]

[Jeff Kelety]

I been using Z-Spar T-10 of late. Works fine. Used regular turps for a long while before that without adverse affects as well.