Painting the wood with a varnish will make the wood more durable and help protect it from scratches and stains. Varnish can also beautify wood materials and accentuate patterns and colors. There are colored varnishes. So you can change the color of the wood. Follow the steps below to apply varnish to wooden furniture.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Work Area and Varnish
Step 1. Choose a bright, well-ventilated place
Good, adequate lighting will make it easier to see areas where it isn't perfect, such as bubbles, uneven brush strokes, indentations, and areas that aren't covered in varnish. Good ventilation is also important, as some varnishes and thinners have a pungent odor that can make you dizzy or nauseous.
If the smell is too strong, open a window or turn on a fan
Step 2. Choose a place free of dust and dirt
Your work area should be very clean and dust free. You may have to mop and vacuum the area where you will be working, so that the dust doesn't fly and land on the wood you're working on and damage it.
If you're working outdoors, don't do it on a windy day, as small dust particles can land on the wet varnish and damage the surface
Step 3. Pay attention to the air temperature and humidity
The temperature where you want to varnish should be between 21°C and 26°C. If the temperature is too hot, the varnish will dry too quickly and result in the formation of tiny air bubbles. If the temperature is too cold or humid, the varnish will take a long time to dry, so there is a greater risk of small dust particles being caught because the varnish stays wet for too long.
Step 4. Use proper protection
When varnishing wood, you will be dealing with chemicals that may be harmful if they come in contact with your skin or can even damage your clothes. Before you start varnishing, put on the clothes you normally use for craftsmen as well as gloves and protective eyewear. It is also recommended that you wear a dust mask or a ventilated mask.
Step 5. Find a suitable varnish
There are many types of varnish available in the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some varnishes are easier to use than others, while others are easier to use for certain projects. Choose one that matches the woodwork you are working on and suits your taste.
- Oil-based varnishes, including some polyurethane varnishes, are extremely durable. This type of varnish usually has to be mixed with a paint thinner such as turpentine. The varnish fumes are very sharp and should be used in a well-ventilated area. You should also use a very clean brush to make the varnish last longer.
- Acrylic and water-based varnishes don't have a strong scent and can be mixed with water. This type of varnish does dry faster but is not as durable as oil-based varnishes. The brush you are using can be cleaned with just soap and water.
- Varnish in a spray bottle is easier to use. You won't need a brush and the varnish doesn't need to be diluted with other ingredients. However, spray varnish should be used in a well-ventilated area as it has a strong vapor that can make you dizzy or nauseous.
- Varnish is also available in clear and colored types. Clear varnish will accentuate the natural color of the wood, while colored varnish acts like paint and can color the wood in a certain way.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Wood for Varnish
Step 1. Remove old varnish or paint from the wood if necessary
You can apply new varnish over a painted surface to preserve it, or you can apply it to an unpainted surface. There are several ways to remove old varnish, including using a paint remover and sandpaper.
If your wood furniture has never been painted or varnished, or if you want to preserve the original paint, you can skip to Step 5
Step 2. Remove the old varnish with a paint remover
Remove old paint and varnish by applying paint remover to the wood using a brush. Leave the liquid for some time according to the instructions for use, then peel it off with a round-cornered cloth. Do not let the paint remover dry.
Wipe off the remaining paint remover solution. How to remove the remaining solution will depend on the type you purchased, but most paint removers can be removed with turpentine or water
Step 3. Clean the old varnish with sandpaper
You can remove old varnish using paper sandpaper, block sander, or machine sander. Sandpaper and blocks work best on uneven or curved surfaces, such as knobs and chair legs. Machine sanding works best on a flat surface, such as a tabletop. Start with a medium grit sandpaper, such as #150, then use a finer sandpaper, such as #180.
Step 4. Remove old paint or varnish with thinner
Like a threshing solution, paint thinner can also be used to remove old paint. Soak the used cloth with thinner and then wipe it on the wooden surface. Once the old paint has come off, peel it off with a cloth.
Step 5. Sand the wood with fine sandpaper
By sanding it, the old varnish or paint residue will be removed and the wood surface will be rough enough for the new varnish to stick. Use #180 then #220 sandpaper, and sand in the direction of the grain of the wood.
Step 6. Wipe the wood and workbench with a damp cloth and let it dry
The workbench should be clean of dust and dirt before you start applying the varnish. Clean the wood by wiping it with a damp cloth. Make sure you sweep and vacuum your work desks and floors. You can also use a damp cloth or mop.
Step 7. Use putty
Some types of wood where the grain is rough and with cracks, such as oak, need to be puttyed to give the surface a smooth finish. You can use a putty color that matches the natural color of the wood, or it can be a color that matches the varnish that will be used.
You can use a contrasting color to make the putty stand out, or you can use a matching color to make the putty look together
Part 3 of 3: Varnishing Wood
Step 1. Prepare the varnish for the first coat, if necessary
Some types of varnish, such as spray varnish, do not require any preparation. While other types must be diluted first to be daubed as the initial layer. This first layer will cover the surface of the wood and prepare it for the next layer. The varnish on the next layer does not need to be diluted.
- If you are using an oil-based varnish, thin it with a paint thinner such as turpentine. Mix varnish and thinner in a ratio of 1: 1.
- If you are using a water-based or acrylic varnish, dilute it with water. Mix varnish and water in a 1:1 ratio.
Step 2. Apply the first coat of diluted varnish and allow to dry
Use a flat brush or sponge to apply the varnish to the wood. Dab in long, even strokes, in the direction of the grain of the wood. Allow the varnish to dry for 24 hours.
If you are using spray varnish, hold the spray bottle 15 to 20 cm from the surface of the wood and spray the varnish lightly and evenly. Allow to dry according to the instructions for use on the varnish bottle
Step 3. Sand the first layer and then wipe with a damp cloth
After you have applied the initial coat of light varnish, smooth the surface. You can do this with #280 sandpaper and then remove any remaining dust and dirt with a rag.
- Do not forget to wipe the workbench with a damp cloth to remove dust from sanding.
- Clean the brush with paint thinner (if you are using an oil-based varnish) or water (if you are using a water-based varnish).
Step 4. Apply another coat of varnish and let it dry
Apply the varnish to the wood surface using a cleaned or new brush or sponge. Again, make sure you are painting in the direction of the wood grain. At this stage, the varnish does not need to be diluted first. Wait up to 24 hours for the coating to dry.
If you are using spray varnish, just apply a second coat. Make sure the distance between the spray bottle and the wood surface is between 15 and 20 cm. Spray in one light spray. If you apply too much varnish, it will pool, drip, or run off
Step 5. Sand the second layer then wipe with a damp cloth until clean
Once the second coat of varnish has dried, sand it gently with a fine sandpaper, such as #320. Allow the varnish to dry for 24 hours before you apply the next coat. Do not forget to clean the work area from dust and dirt due to sanding.
Step 6. Apply the next coat of varnish and then sand it, repeating this step
Apply 2 to 3 coats of varnish. Don't forget to let the varnish dry first and sand and wipe the varnish clean before you apply the next coat. Work in the direction of the wood grain when applying the veneer or sanding it. Once you get to the final layer, don't sand it.
- You can continue to use #320 sandpaper or change to #400.
- For optimal results, wait up to 48 hours before you apply the last coat of varnish.
Step 7. Wait for the varnish to dry completely
Varnish generally takes a long time to dry completely. To avoid damage, place the varnished wood in a safe place. Some types of varnish dry within 24 to 48 hours, while others take 5 to 7 days. There is also a new type of varnish that will dry completely after 30 days. Read the instructions on the varnish package to determine the drying time.
Tips
- Do not shake the bottle containing the varnish (unless it is a spray bottle), as this will cause water bubbles to form on the varnish.
- Spray the floor you're working on with water, or sprinkle wet sawdust on the floor to help reduce the amount of dust that floats up when varnishing.
- If humidity is a problem in your area, buy a varnish that dries quickly in a humid environment.
- Do not use steel wool to sand the wood between coats of varnish. Steel fibers can adhere to the varnish.
- Add a pinch of washing soda to the water as you clean the wood prior to varnishing, to help remove more dirt.
- If you're not sure whether you need colored varnish or not, wet the wood to see if it's the true color. That is the color of the wood that you will get after the wood is given a clear varnish. If the color is too pale, you might consider applying a colored varnish to make it darker.
- Do not use cold varnish. If the varnish is not at room temperature or warmer than that, increase the temperature by placing a can of varnish in a bucket of warm water.
Warning
- Do not mix several wood varnishes at once as this can result in a negative and dangerous chemical reaction.
- Use appropriate protection, such as protective eyewear, gloves, and a mask.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. Different types of paint and varnish thinners have strong fumes that can make you dizzy or nauseous.
- Keep the varnish away from fire. Wood varnish is flammable.
