Woodsmith #169 make-your-own-wiping-varnish.pdf

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make

your own

Wiping

Varnish

It doesn’t take a chemist to mix wiping varnish. You’ll know exactly

what you’re getting, and save a little money in the process.

Mixing your own wiping varnish offers a couple of nice

advantages. First, you can be certain that the product

you’re using is a true wiping varnish, not an oil/varnish

imposter. Second, it’s a good way to save a little money.

You can avoid paying a high price for a product that con-

tains a large amount of inexpensive thinner.

Another reason to make your own wiping varnish is

that there’s basically nothing to it. My recipe simply calls

for two parts varnish and three parts mineral spirits (paint

thinner), by volume. I combine the two in a glass jar and

then stir until the color is consistent.

Any type of oil-based varnish will work but I prefer

satin or semi-gloss polyurethane. Since, the film created by

a wiping varnish is generally pretty thin, a durable poly

varnish will give you an extra measure of protection.

One final note. Varnishes can vary by type and brand

and they’ll have slightly different consistencies. So don’t

be afraid to tinker with the proportions until you have a

wiping varnish mix that works well for you.

Wiping Varnish

Recipe

2partsvarnish

(anytype)

3partsmineral

spirits

(paintthinner)

{ Pickupaquartofvarnishandaquartofpaint

thinner and you’ll have the ingredients you

needtoblendabatchofwipingvarnish.