Proper varnish thinning proportion

[bcarley]

I'm looking at a can of varnish that says "The first coat should be thinned 20%". Does this mean 5 parts varnish to 1 part thinner or 4 parts varnish to 1 part thinner?

[David N.]

5-1 , and then it depends on the thinner and the temp .
Use a faster thinner in colder weather.
Use a slower thinner in hotter weather .

The mfg. should have the the right thinners , mix in a clean container ( stir slowly ) and I like to use a ( automotive ) Paint stainer to help reduce bubbles .

[Bob Cleek]

Don't believe everything you read on the can! LOL The "first thinned coat" is for the purpose of penetrating the wood somewhat better (a matter of some debate, but long standing practice). If you are using a good sealer (always better than thinned varnish), particularly something like CPES, (highly recommended... do the search thingy) there is no reason at all to thin the first coat of varnish. The two most common varnish mistakes are too much thinning and too much sanding between coats, both of which leave your "eight coats" being really something like two coats. Put it on as thick as you dare, right out of the can is usually best. Only thin if you are having spreading problems. A SMALL dollop of Pentrol and/or good thinner is all it takes, stirred not shaken. Use a purple scotch brite pad for roughing the surface between coats until you have four or six on, then sand it fair to remove the defects and lay on the rest of your finish coats. The secret to a long lasting varnish job is a good sealer like CPES and lotsa varnish!

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What Bob said. I usually thin ten % if I don't cpes, then full coats every time till the varnish coat clock strikes 12..

Bong! :eek: :D

[Rocky]

Nice and simple Mr. Cleek, very nice. I got some tung oil, should I mix it with the Epiphane's?

[ 03-13-2003, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: Rocky ]

[David N.]

what bob said ,

As a kid I also worked with a bunch of old time house painters ( Italian ) and they would throw in a little kerosene to help flow out the paint ( back when you used oil based paint on your house ) and if they did not like you , or you tried to stiff them , they would load up the paint with fish oil , and it would never dry .