use of owatrol with varnish

[brownings1]

I'm having to do a big varnish job this week. The temperature is certainly not ideal I know, but I believe that the addition of Owatrol to the Epifanes may be helpful. The instruction on the Owatrol tin is not really very helpful so can anyone recommend to me the % age of Owatrol I should use - rather than me having to experiment and then perhaps needing to sand it off again. The main area of concern is vertical coach roof sides - with potential run problems.

Thanks

 

[JesseLoynes]

I've usually used about 10% for general applications, though for final coats have often thinned the varnish until it's the same viscousity as water. Seems incredibly thin, but I learnt most of this from SeaNick, and if you've seen his work, you'll know he's a pretty good chap for getting a decent finish! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It tends to come down to personal preference and experience. You can probably use anything between 5% and 50% and get a reasonable finish! I now tend to mix enough owatrol in so that it feels as though it will lay on how I want it to.

Do a few tests if you like, but I'd suggest starting at about 10-15% and seeing how it goes. If it still feels thick, add a little more.

Do remember of course that Epifanes is notoriously slow to dry, and at this time of year, with this weather, you'll have to be careful of the damp coming down onto surfaces at dusk if you are working outside.

Have fun, I've still got similar work to do this year. I think the end of this week annd the weekend is probably the time to do it!

Jess.

 

[ccscott49]

I use 10%, but as BSJ says you can add a lot more, I´m afraid its a "suck it and see" jobbie, but it is wonderful stuff, I wont varnish without it, the brush just glides over! Might be also a good idea to have your mixed up jar in a bucket of hottish water, make it run even better and dry a little faster, and yes, epifanes does seem to take forever, then go off quite fast.

 

[burgundyben]

I use it at 10 % too.

Although it funny how we all have our own methods, I do a first coast of thinned 50% and then subsequent coats neat, from the tin, up to about 6 or 7 coats.

Most of mine has been getting 2 coats on top for the last five years and is looking really good.

 

[brownings1]

Thanks for those replies - very helpful. Interested to see that for final coats you can thin it to same viscosity as water! - don't think I'd have the nerve or skill to try that on large vertical surfaces though.