Andres Matheu. Move on when you've removed most of the varnish and you need to smooth out the surface. After being applied, the film-forming substances in varnishes either harden directly, as soon as the solvent has fully evaporated, or harden after evaporation of the solvent through curing processes, primarily chemical reaction between oils and oxygen from the air (autoxidation) and chemical reactions between components of the varnish. Only relatively recently have spar varnishes been available that can offer both effective elasticity and UV-resistance. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/safety-precautions-for-chemical-strippers, http://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-strip-paint-stain-polyurethane-from-furniture-my-top-tips.html, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-varnish/#.WhVdSDdrzIU, http://thecraftsmanblog.com/how-to-strip-paint-part-1-chemical-strippers/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 23 July 2010 <, sfn error: no target: CITEREFNeedham1986e (, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/article-206069/paint-and-varnish, Varnish for Violins and similar instruments, Instructions for Making an Acoustically Proven Varnish Using only Five Ingredients, International Federation of Building and Wood Workers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varnish&oldid=980854886, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles that may contain original research from September 2020, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from September 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 September 2020, at 21:12. Early varnishes were developed by mixing resin—pine sap, for example—with a solvent and applying them with a brush to get the golden and hardened effect one sees in today's varnishes. The source of shellac resin is a brittle or flaky secretion of the female lac insect, Kerria lacca, found in the forests of Assam and Thailand and harvested from the bark of the trees where she deposits it to provide a sticky hold on the trunk. Shellac is a very widely used single-component resin varnish that is alcohol-soluble. Also, spread a drop cloth on the floor to protect it if you're not removing varnish from the floor. And wood varnish adheres better to a well-sanded, sealed surface. If you're stripping floors, remove all furniture so you have room to work. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and use safety goggles, a mask, and gloves to protect yourself. It’s best to use a soft brush and apply several thin coats. After using the solvent, you’ll need to wipe the surface down with a neutralizer, like water or mineral spirits. All two-part epoxies have a "pot-life" or "working time" during which the epoxy can be used. This tendency increases with long exposure to sunlight or when it is applied over soft woods like pine. Usually the pot-life is a matter of a few hours but is also highly temperature dependent. WICHEMI 5PCS Stripping Wheel Strip Discs for Angle Grinders Clean & Remove Paint, Varnish, Coating, Rust and Oxidation for Wood Metal Work (4" x 5/8") 4.9 out of 5 stars 12 $17.89 - $23.49 Touchup in repair or restoration is only done with spirit varnish. Andres Matheu is the Owner of Hömm Certified Painting Systems, an Interior and Exterior Residential painting business based in the Washington, DC Metro area. If you have an old piece of furniture or a wood floor that you want to update with a new color or stain, you’ll need to remove the varnish first. Start by sanding off the old varnish with 150-grit sandpaper. Andres specializes in interior and exterior residential painting, color consultations, cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and epoxy flooring among other services. Many varnishes contain plant-derived oils (e.g. Lacquer is dissolved in lacquer thinner, which is a highly flammable solvent typically containing butyl acetate and xylene or toluene. Various resins may also be combined with alkyds as part of the formula for typical "oil" varnishes that are commercially available. Tung Oil. Originally, turpentine or alcohol was used to dissolve the resin and thin the drying oils. The Tang Chinese used medieval chemistry experiments to produce a varnish for clothes and weapons, employing complex chemical formulas applied to silk clothes of underwater divers, a cream designated for polishing bronze mirrors, and many other useful formulas. These claims may be more or less realistic, depending on individual products. As you apply the varnish, use long, even strokes, and work along the wood grain. There are, however, two downsides to this finish. The resins include amber, dammar, copal, rosin, sandarac, elemi, benzoin, mastic, balsam, shellac, and a multitude of lacquers. I have covered porch with a new kiln dried treated lumber floor. Water exposure, humidity, temperature extremes, and other environmental factors affect all finishes. Specified "dewaxed" shellac has been processed to remove the waxy substances from original shellac and can be used as a primer and sanding-sealer substrate for other finishes such as polyurethanes, alkyds, oils, and acrylics. This professional application uses alcohol and acid for a varnish that dries in a … If you're stripping floors, remove all furniture so you have room to work. After 24 hours, sand the first coat with 280-grit sandpaper, then use a dry cloth to wipe away any dust. Spar varnishes are thus not necessarily the best choice for outdoor woodwork that does not need to bend in service. Varnish boasts of adding a colorful finish to your wooden projects. There are many different compositions that achieve a varnish effect when applied. Polyurethane varnish may also lack the "hand-rubbed" lustre of drying oils such as linseed or tung oil; in contrast, however, it is capable of a much faster and higher "build" of film, accomplishing in two coats what may require multiple applications of oil. Moreover, the vac cord wrap design to keep the cord at one place. It is not used for outdoor surfaces or where it will come into repeated contact with water, such as around a sink or bathtub. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Drying oils cure through an exothermic reaction between the polyunsaturated portion of the oil and oxygen from the air. This article was co-authored by Andres Matheu. By contrast, untreated or "raw" oils may take weeks or months to cure, depending on ambient temperature and other environmental factors. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation for this step. The drying and curing time of all varnishes may be sped up by exposure to an energy source such as sunlight, ultraviolet light, or heat. Best Hardwood Floor Finish: Acid-Cured Acid-cured finish stands as the top pick for hardwood floors. When first developed, no varnishes had good UV-resistance. In classic varnish the cure rate depends on the type of oil used and, to some extent, on the ratio of oil to resin. A distinction between spirit-drying (and generally removable) "lacquers" and chemical-cure "varnishes" (generally thermosets containing "drying" oils) is common, but varnish is a broad term historically and the distinction is not strict. If you are, start painting with a brush. Varnish finishes are naturally glossy, but satin or semi-gloss sheens are available. Once dried, most will form a stretchy plastic film over your work. Various priming techniques are employed to overcome this problem, including the use of certain oil varnishes, specified "dewaxed" shellac, clear penetrating epoxy sealer, or "oil-modified" polyurethane designed for the purpose. Even there, however, fungal colonies were present, and mildew and fungus are another category of entities which attack varnish. mineral spirits or paint thinner, can substitute for turpentine. This broad group of products are typically clear to milky white liquids. 2. Varnish may also be created from synthetic resins such as acrylic, alkyd, or polyurethane. When you polish the floor, you’ll need to clean it first properly. It is neither a paint nor stain. Polyurethane may also be applied over a straight oil finish, but because of the relatively slow curing time of oils, the emission of certain chemical byproducts, and the need for exposure to oxygen from the air, care must be taken that the oils are sufficiently cured to accept the polyurethane. Arguably, drying oils, such as linseed and tung oil, are not true varnishes though often in modern terms they accomplish the same thing. Spar varnish (also called marine varnish) was originally intended for use on ship or boat spars, to protect the timber from the effects of sea and weather. Drying oil such as walnut oil or linseed oil may be used in combination with amber, copal, rosin or other resins. A varnish formula might not contain any added resins at all since drying oils can produce a varnish effect by themselves.[6]. In modern terms, "boiled" or partially polymerized drying oils with added siccatives or dryers (chemical catalysts) have cure times of less than 24 hours. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Keep in mind that you'll need to read up on your state's regulations for disposal. Commercial Painter. The first is a blend of an amino resin and an alkyd. Over centuries, many recipes were developed which involved the combination of resins, oils, and other ingredients such as certain waxes. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Find the highest quality paints and coatings for all exterior and interior surfaces in a wide range of colors. But that’s the best tip we can give you. Oil/varnish blends are nice one furniture and medium to low-wear projects. You're faced with an old piece of furniture or a wood floor that you'd like to see updated with a new color or stain. This article has been viewed 47,630 times. The acid catalyst is added right before application in a set ratio determined by the manufacturer. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Transparent hard protective finish or film, "paint and varnish." Often, you can't throw the solvent-soaked rags or varnish residue straight into the trash. Of all flooring materials, hardwood is the most vulnerable to scratches, but a heavy chair can damage virtually any type of flooring. "Oil-modified" polyurethanes, whether water-borne or solvent-borne, are currently the most widely used wood floor finishes. Unfortunately, there is no paint / varnish remover that is guaranteed to work on all paints and varnishes but we have had good feedback on this particular stripper. Today this varnish would have faded and currently be a very warm, dark orange.[7]. Dry shellac is available as refined flakes, "sticklac," "button lac," or "seedlac." Pigments in paints and stains protect against UV damage. If you need to leave it longer than an hour or 2, cover it with a tarp so the solvent stays wet. The word lacquer refers to quick-drying, solvent-based varnishes or paints. [citation needed], Lacquer may be considered different from varnish because it can be re-dissolved later by a solvent (such as the one it was dissolved in when it was applied) and does not chemically change to a solid like other varnishes.[8]. polyurethanes) or resins as their binder in combination with organic solvents. However, a thick film of ordinary polyurethane may de-laminate if subjected to heat or shock, fracturing the film and leaving white patches. The best way to strip them back to bare wood is with a floor sander or a chemical paint / varnish remover such as Barrettine Paint Panther Paint and Varnish Remover. For the best finish, give the primer a quick sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and clean off the dust with a tack cloth before starting to paint. Boiled linseed oil is common as a wood finish, but contains some potentially hazardous drying compounds. 5 Photoshop Skills Every Professional Should Know. Start by sanding down the area a bit first so the solvent penetrates better. The polyurethane would definitely be the best choice for the floor. The second is that the finish can crack or craze if too many coats are applied. Cabot's Stain & Varnish Water Based. Monocel Stain and Varnish Bondall Monocel Stain and Varnish is a combined timber stain and varnish for use on most woodwork, timber furniture, and timber panelling. Pick a sealer that’s designed for the overlying varnish, preferably of … Check for Deals & Offers on Amazon → (don't worry, button opens a new tab). Acrylic varnish should be applied using an isolation coat (a permanent, protective barrier between the painting and the varnish, preferably a soft, glossy gel medium) to make varnish removal and overall conservation easier. There is also evidence that finely powdered minerals, possibly volcanic ash, were used in some grounds. Acrylic and waterborne varnishes "dry" upon evaporation of the water but will experience an extended curing period for evaporation of organic solvents absorbed on the latex particles, and possibly chemical curing of the particles. Although their names may be similarly derived, lacquer is not the same as shellac and is not dissolved in alcohol. The ingredients and processes of violin varnish are very diverse, with some highly regarded old examples showing defects (e.g. They resist yellowing. Exterior use of polyurethane varnish may be problematic due to its heightened susceptibility to deterioration through ultra-violet light exposure. It's what I used when I painted my tile floor and the IKEA Trofast drawer units, and it's held up amazingly well! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. spar varnish) to work against UV damage but are decreasingly effective over the course of 2–4 years, depending on the quantity and quality of UV-absorbers added, as well as the severity and duration of sun exposure. While polyurethane is water- or oil-based plastic resin, varnish is older and made from resins, oils, and solvents. These contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oil, polyurethane, and epoxy varnishes remain liquid even after evaporation of the solvent but quickly begin to cure, undergoing successive stages from liquid or syrupy, to tacky or sticky, to dry gummy, to "dry to the touch", to hard. Generally they have good UV-resistance. Better (and more expensive) exterior varnishes employ alkyds made from high performance oils and contain UV-absorbers; this improves gloss-retention and extends the lifetime of the finish. Acrylics have the advantage of water clean-up and lack of solvent fumes, but typically do not penetrate into wood as well as oils. Lacquer is typically sprayed on, within a spray booth that evacuates overspray and minimizes the risk of combustion. Expert Interview. Protect the area from varnish and dust. In its native state it has little or no color, but may be pigmented as desired, and is sold commercially in various shades. Varnishing is also recorded in the history of East and South Asia; in India, China and Japan, where the practice of lacquer work, a species of varnish application, was known at a very early date. If it's particularly thick varnish, you may need to use a metal scraper or brush instead. Natural resins used for varnish include amber, kauri gum, dammar, copal, rosin (colophony or pine resin), sandarac, balsam, elemi, mastic, and shellac. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Remove-Varnish-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Varnish-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Remove-Varnish-Step-1.jpg\/aid9523498-v4-728px-Remove-Varnish-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"