How to Varnish Raw and Unfinished Wooden Furniture

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Prepare a work area that is well-ventilated.

   The room or workshop you will be working in has to be the correct temperature so that the varnish will dry properly—at least 70°F (21.1°C).
2. 2

   Step 2: Keep your piece of furniture out of direct sunlight so that the varnish doesn’t dry too fast.

   , Sand with the grain; if you sand against the grain, you will damage the wood. , Vacuum the piece and the area around it. (If possible, sand the piece in a separate room).
   
   Wipe down the furniture with a clean, lint-free cloth.
   
   Remove dust and dirt from cracks with a clean, dry brush to make sure your furniture is free of all lint, dirt and dust.
   
   You can also blow dust and dirt from the piece with a hand-held hairdryer.
   
   Use the cool setting. , A tac cloth looks like cheesecloth and is a bit sticky to the touch; it can pick up tiny bits of lint that would otherwise get trapped underneath the varnish. , The brush must be clean. , Buy a large enough can of varnish so that you have enough to cover the furniture piece.
   
   Check the label on the can to be sure of the coverage amounts. , You will need this separate container to thin out the varnish. ,, The amount of varnish depends on the amount of surface area you need to cover. ,,, Stir the varnish and the mineral spirits with a clean paint stick.
   
   Stir slowly and steadily until the two substances are completely mixed. ,,,, Apply the varnish evenly and thinly.
   
   If your varnish starts to thicken, add some more mineral spirits to thin it. , You will have to sandpaper your first coat, but you can’t do that until the varnish is completely dry. , If this produces a bit of dust, your varnish is dry. ,,,,
3. 3

   Step 3: Smooth all rough surfaces with a very fine grade of sandpaper.

4. 4

   Step 4: Clean the furniture thoroughly after you have sanded it.

5. 5

   Step 5: Wipe down the entire piece with a tac cloth to make sure every particle of dust and dirt is gone.

6. 6

   Step 6: Choose a brush that is especially made for applying varnish.

7. 7

   Step 7: Purchase varnish and mineral spirits.

8. 8

   Step 8: Buy a large clean container with a wide mouth if you don’t have one on hand.

9. 9

   Step 9: Hold the varnish can and rotate it gently a few times to mix the varnish.

10. 10

    Step 10: Open the can of varnish and pour a measured amount into your empty

11. 11

    Step 11: clean container.

12. 12

    Step 12: Put the lid back on the varnish can immediately so that no dirt or dust falls into the can.

13. 13

    Step 13: Measure the same amount of mineral spirits as you did varnish.

14. 14

    Step 14: Slowly pour the mineral spirits into the varnish you put into the wide-mouthed container.

15. 15

    Step 15: Dip your brush into the thinned varnish.

16. 16

    Step 16: Hold the brush over the container and allow the excess varnish solution drip back into the container.

17. 17

    Step 17: Brush the varnish onto your bare furniture using long

18. 18

    Step 18: straight strokes.

19. 19

    Step 19: Brush with the grain

20. 20

    Step 20: not against it.

21. 21

    Step 21: Allow the first coat to dry overnight.

22. 22

    Step 22: Test for dryness by lightly rubbing a piece of fine sandpaper on the varnished furniture.

23. 23

    Step 23: Use fine sandpaper to lightly sand the piece when it is dry; be sure to sand with the grain.

24. 24

    Step 24: Wipe the sanding dust from the furniture with a soft

25. 25

    Step 25: clean cloth.

26. 26

    Step 26: Wipe it down again with a tac cloth.

27. 27

    Step 27: Repeat the varnish and sanding process twice more

28. 28

    Step 28: always allowing each coat of varnish to dry completely before sanding and cleaning.

Detailed Guide

About the Author