Pleasure of painting - Introduction to painting
- Stencils
- Painting on wood
- Wood cutting
- Varnishing furniture
- Ceramic painting
- Fabric painting
- Painting on glass
- Porcelain painting
- Decorating wooden rods
- Trompe l'oeil painting
- Natural paint
- Painting basics
- Landscape painting
Tips for varnishing furniture
Here are a few tips and techniques for varnishing furniture.
Varnishing materials
Choose a very thick, flat brush with fine bristles.
A cloth can be used for really fragile parts.
Fine sandpaper is required for sanding. To work like a pro, steel wool is ideal (the finest is number 0000-000).
The technique
Never varnish in one thick coat.
On the contrary, start with a thin coat of varnish in the direction of the wood. Wait for it to dry, then sand very lightly with very fine sandpaper (emery paper no. 400), still in the direction of the wood.
Dust off, then repeat this varnishing operation 2 more times.
This way, with 3 coats of very fine varnish, the varnish will be very resistant and your furniture truly embellished.
Pro tip
In woodworking, varnishing is done "with your feet in the water".
In fact, it's essential to work in a dust-free environment (to prevent flying dust from sticking to the varnish you've just applied).
To achieve this, don't hesitate to wet the floor well before you start varnishing, so that the dust doesn't stick to the floor...
Which varnish to choose?
Matte or gloss, it's a matter of preference.
On the other hand, for your health and the environment, it's best to use an organic varnish (based on natural products), which you can find in organic stores or on the Internet.
At the very least, buy a varnish bearing the European eco-label, which guarantees, among other things, a very low VOC (volatile organic compound) content (compare with the major brands of varnish advertised in DIY stores: it speaks for itself!)
Beware: varnishes from specialist hobby brands can be just as harmful. Don't use solvent-based varnishes (which can be washed off with white spirit, not water) such as Pébéo's old-fashioned varnish, which is attractive because of its amber color, but gives off very strong, unpleasant odors even long after the object has dried.
always varnish in a well-ventilated room, away from children and pregnant women, and wait several days before installing furniture or objects in the home.
On the other hand, for your health and the environment, it's best to use an organic varnish (based on natural products), which you can find in organic stores or on the Internet.
At the very least, buy a varnish bearing the European eco-label, which guarantees, among other things, a very low VOC (volatile organic compound) content (compare with the major brands of varnish advertised in DIY stores: it speaks for itself!)
Beware: varnishes from specialist hobby brands can be just as harmful. Don't use solvent-based varnishes (which can be washed off with white spirit, not water) such as Pébéo's old-fashioned varnish, which is attractive because of its amber color, but gives off very strong, unpleasant odors even long after the object has dried.
always varnish in a well-ventilated room, away from children and pregnant women, and wait several days before installing furniture or objects in the home.