how much varnish?

[thatoneguy82]

In an attempt to replicate a period correct finish I mixed some stain with some varnish and have been applying successive coats to get a dark finish, I'm up to about 5 coats and will likely do one more but wanted to see if anyone else would go that many? I expect I'll have to clean up my inlets a little due to finish build up, however other than that expect it to yield a good finish that's both PC and durable.

 

[okawbow]

I use a minimum of 6 thin coats of varnish on every project I do. I've put as many as 12 on some woods.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Why is it that 12 thin coats are somehow better than fewer thicker coats? Varnish has a way of building up in crevices and places you can't easily sand out, like in incise carving.

 

[thatoneguy82]

No real carving on this piece, but I am finding the value of thinner varnish is that it drys faster, and seems to hold less debris and has fewer globs I have to sand out between coats. The first few coats I put on were pretty thick and they took almost 36hrs with low humidity to dry, where as a thin coat will be dry and workable in 18-24 even in higher humidity which has blown in here the past few days. I was also having more runns with the thicker stuff which was a bummer.

Trying to get this thing put together and functional for the Tobbacco River territorial match this weekend.

 

[thatoneguy82]

It is a little lighter in person than in the pics but its almost the right color.

 

[BrownBear]

...thin coats are somehow better than fewer thicker coats?

Thick coats take forever to harden down against the wood. Thin coats result in a much tougher finish.

 

[matt denison]

...thin coats are somehow better than fewer thicker coats?

Thick coats take forever to harden down against the wood. Thin coats result in a much tougher finish.

....without the drips, runs, sags and puddles.

 

[Jim Kibler]

You might consider a higher colorant or pigment load in the finish. Seems it may help.