Varnish – Tip #1

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    Bubbles are one the banes of the varnishers existence. If they break while the varnish is still wet enough, they cause no problems, but if they don’t break until after the varnish has begun to set up, they create depressions that look something like the craters on the moon. Avoid bubbles by remembering you are working with a paintbrush, not scrub brush.

    Dont apply from the original can, instead pour small quantities into a separate can or plastic cup and refill as needed. Wipe your excess varnish at the start of each stroke gently on the inside of the container. When you wipe your brush on the rim it aerates the bristles; thus you not only foment drips down the outside of the can, you foster bubbles.

    For more than 1,000 tips, suggestions, evaluations, and nuggets of hard-won advice from more than 300 seasoned veterans, purchase Sailors’ Secrets: Advice from the Masters today!

    Darrell Nicholson
    Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.