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
    Darrell Nicholson is editor emeritus of Practical Sailor. He is a longtime liveaboard sailor and has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans. A winner of dozens of writing awards in disparate genres, he currently edits Marine Electronics Journal for the National Marine Electronics Association. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license and sails his S&S-designed Yankee 30, Opal, out of St. Petersburg, Florida. He can be reached at darrellnicholson.com.