I am doing a Varnish job on a newley restored barn that was turned into a house that is very large. roughly 7000 sq ft. of floor space and alot of beams and walls that are anything from birch to pine car siding including the ceiling which is about 30 ft up. my question is what is the best varnish/poly that i could use and maybe get it done in one coat (not trying to cut corners) . any help would be appreciated.
Aaron
Replies
There is no such thing. You're thinking from sanded raw wood to finished product in one coat? Nope.
Sanding sealer sprayed on is the quickest build to fill the surface some. Shellac is a fast build also. Both dry quickly ready for the next coats of whatever.
Varnish cut with Turp or Naptha can be used as a thin first coat, followed up with one or more coats of varnish.
I'd say the best thing to do would be run. Is this a job you bid? What is the desired finish? When you say varnish I picture a thick film, glossy or satin. Not just a quick and dirty coat of something. Joe H
joe,
this is a job my employer bid on it is a t/m job and I really have no choice to run..(i want to but cant). So i figured #### it up and find something that will make my job easier. I have used SW fast dry sand sealer and varnish before with good results anything better that you have used?
Aaron
Aaron, I think probably job one is find out what kind of finish the customer is expecting? Then figure out the details. With something as big as this, make up some samples and make sure everybody is happy with the result.
Get a good mask, not a particle mask. You're gonna be there a long time it sounds like, might as well leave with most of the brain cells you started the job with. Joe H
Spar Urethane. Several Coats.
Prep the surfaces first, and indeed wear a respirator.
James DuHamel
J & M Home Maintenance Service
Spar would get my vote.
Do you like the newer hybrid and water-based versions ?
http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/oxford.htm
http://www.waterlox.com/
http://www.spectrapaint.com/woodfinishing/mlcampbell.html.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Aaron, You must sand the mill glaze off the wood before you put anything on. In my opinion the top of the line product is a brand named Sikens. At least 3 coats, wait a few monts and a final coat.
Hi Benny,
I'm certain he won't have to sand the mill glaze off.
You see it's an OLD barn. been a long time since the timbers saw a mill. chances are it's like my place where things were cleaned up on site.
SIKKENS Cetol Interior Clear log home finishes come to mind. I think spar will yellow over time, but the Sikkens is not supposed to do that. They have been making log home finishes for a very long time.
http://www.nam.sikkens.com/product-category.cfm?product_category=log-home