Varnish Basics

[Brookside]

It's time I learned about varnish. I finished my first mandolin in nc laquer. It came out fine and I am pleased to be set up to do it but I was thinking of doing one in varnish next. I've got mandolins number two and three in progress now. I've seen many references and snippets in regards to varnish (recipies, spirit vs. oil, etc.) I need to learn the basics from the beginning rather than try to piece it together in this way. I've seen a couple of wood finishing books but they don't seem to be specific to instruments. Does that matter? Could anyone recommend a book, dvd, or video that teaches finishing in varnish. Lastly, I noticed that the International Violin Company has quite a selection of varnish finishing material. Any recommendations for their products? Thanks, as always.

[sunburst]

One good book that I can think of is Understanding Wood Finishing (or maybe finishes).
I don't know the author or publisher, but it's in the back of a lot of tool catalogs. It has a lot of basic information about various finishes, including varnishes, what they are, what they do, and how they do it.

After you read that book you'll know as much as I do about all those violin varnish products in the International violin catalog.
They are a good company, by the way. Here in VA I have ordered things late in the afternoon and had them show up the next morning. Occasional mistakes in packing tho, but always corrected to my advantage.

[HoGo]

Just Google for "violin oil spirit varnish" and you'll spend couple of weeks reading all the info. Do not believe everything, there are too many genuine strad varnish recipes around.

[Chris Baird]

Everything I know about varnish I learned from violin literature. There are many good pre-made oil varnishes that you can get either off the internet or from a local violin maker. Most oil varnishes take about a month to dry to a handleable state. I use an UV light and the morning sun to speed up the drying process. The application is also more time consuming. Its a lot more work but it just feels like the better way for me. Working with the wood is a very earthy/organic experience and I felt that having a finishing technique to match was important. I never felt right getting out the spray equipment and shooting a toxic substance on the mando. BTW I got most of my violin literature through interlibrary loans. You can get a lot of information for free that way.

[Brookside]

Working with the wood is a very earthy/organic experience and I felt that having a finishing technique to match was important. #I never felt right getting out the spray equipment and shooting a toxic substance on the mando. #
You have perfectly articulated what I've been feeling lately. Sometimes when I'm working the wood I feel like a luthier of centuries past. When I'm pouring laquer in a spray gun and hooking it up to a compresser I feel like an auto-body repair man. It just doesn't fit in with the other aspects of building.

I found the book, Sunburst. It is indeed Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner. I just ordered it. Thanks for the recommendation.