\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. They don't crack, chip, or bubble, and they are water- and alcohol-resistant. Rather than painting wood furniture to give it a new look, revarnishing is the perfect way to maintain the classic look without the stains and aged appearance that can leave it looking shabby. Now you can paint the door edges and front, then let the door dry. Finish with a protective wax coat for added durability and luster, What time can construction workers start making noise? Use a lint-free cloth to give it a final wipe down. Fortunately, you don't always have to resort to stripping to restore your furniture to its original luster. If you discover missing veneer, chipped wood or a damaged molding, you can fix it easily with epoxy putty. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Use mild dish soap, warm water and a sponge to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the piece of furniture. Enjoy! This article received 16 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Once the second coat is completely dry, lightly sand with the 320 grit sandpaper and brush off any dust. A former architect, Sam is now a full-service contractor, specializing in residential remodels and additions. It's much easier to apply varnish to horizontal surfaces than vertical surfaces. To choose, consider: How frequently do you use this piece of furniture? Apply it in a swirling motion like you would with car wax. Keep varnish away from open flame. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Then dry it with a clean towel. The only good brush to apply varnish is a horse hair 2x2 mm bristle with a crop. Dampness slows drying, so it's recommended that you extend all drying times if you're applying varnish in humid or wet weather. You may need to use finer-grit sandpaper (120 to 180 grit) to smooth out any rough spots and scratches. As with most of the repairs we talk about here, the repaired surface may need a coat of wipe-on finish to look its best. Here are a few things you can do before the putty starts to harden to reduce the amount of sanding and shaping later. This article was co-authored by Sam Adams. Dust off the sanded areas with an old paintbrush, and vacuum with a brush attachment. If you are unsure about whether or not you need a stain, consider wetting your wooden piece. 6. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Bare wood to be finished with varnish must be properly prepared, and sanded. You can find inexpensive lead testing kits at your local big-box store. You can shape, sand and stain it like wood too, so it blends right in. ". And since you'll preserve the patina and character of the original finish, your furniture will retain the beauty of an antique. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Last Updated: April 9, 2022 30, 2021 Learn how to refinish furniture faster and easier by avoiding stripping. The sealer for natural varnish is thinned shellac or a mixture of 1 part varnish and 1 part turpentine or mineral spirits. Before you begin, select the wood finish that is right for your piece. But Kevin prefers a wipe-on gel finish like General Finishes Gel Topcoat Wipe On Urethane. If the varnish you are preparing will be applied as a first coat, finishing guruSteve Mickey recommends a mixture containing 20 to 25 percent thinner; subsequent coats should contain about 5 or 10 percent thinner. Sanding can be time-consuming, but it is important to remove any old wax and varnish that could affect the final color of the new stain. If you sand it while it is still damp, you will ruin the finish and have to strip off the varnish and start over. Some sanding sealers are compatible with polyurethanes. Repeat this procedure, sanding the varnished wood carefully, if a third coat of varnish is required. Do not mix brands or types of varnish. 1. 1. This could a cause negative and dangerous chemical reaction. We'll show you Kevin's tips for cleaning, repairing and restoring finishes without all the messy chemical strippers and tedious sanding. Once dry, lightly sand with 320 grit sandpaper, brush off the dust, and apply a second coat of paint. The final step in your restoration project is to wipe on a coat of finish. 3 Smooth all rough surfaces with a very fine grade of sandpaper. They don't crack, chip, or bubble, and they are water- and alcohol-resistant. Sand carefully to avoid removing the surrounding finish. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Dont waste time with a subpar tool: Opt for a natural-bristle brush that feels thick at its heelthat is, the bristle areaopposite the brush tip. Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for six months, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. Apply varnish with the grain in one direction, not back and forth. Homes & Gardens is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Use 320-grit sandpaper over all filled areas to flatten and feather them out. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Varnish-Wood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Varnish-Wood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Varnish-Wood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/aid1382709-v4-728px-Varnish-Wood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"