Varnish Application: Can A Roller Be Used?

[Deleted member 36384]

Hello,

I have a lot of interior varnishing to do this winter. There are some bulkheads, large areas that will need varnishing and I was wondering if a roller can be used, or if it would just introduce too many bubbles.

If a roller is suitable, what is the best kind and tips on usage e.g. thin varnish a bit, tip off with a brush after coating, roller and sand between coats and brush on final top coat, or brush last 2 coats.

The Varnish will be Ronseal Exterior Satin, I have used that with brush on various locker doors and like the finish. So far I have used brushes for my varnishing but have never taken on so much surface area before.

Thanks,

BlowingOldBoots

 

[Davegriff]

Sounds like a good idea. Never tried it (other than with paint), but as varnish is litttle more than paint without the pigment, I see no reason why it shouldn't work well. I usually thin varnish and paint a little anyway to attain a smoother finish, so see no problem there. Too much thinning will kill the gloss of course, but shouldn't harm the under coats.

As to "tipping off" a roller job, I've never found it necessary, and actully find it rather spoils the pretty much perfect finish attainable with a roller, besides the fact with the extra work involved, you may as just use a brush anyway if taking that route! Certainly my own boat hull is pure roller finished, to the amazement of anyone I've ever admitted it too. I always use a smallish, short-bristled "gloss" roller, and work fast in narrow strips to avoid any dry edges, the worst enemy. If coats are applied in reasonably quick succession, sanding between applications shouldn't be necessary, except to remove any blemishes.

So I say go for it, and ditch the brush. All IMHO, of course.

 

[yoda]

I have seen it done on a you tube video but the guy tipped it off with a very high quality brush. Give it a go, at worst you will just need to wipe off with a white spirit rag before it dries.

Yoda

 

[Keith-i]

I've recently varnished a door and used a roller followed by tipping off. I wet sanded between coats and ended up with a very good finish. The tipping off pulls the bubbles out that were left by the roller.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I looked up the gloss rollers and found that Harris make mini varnish / gloss rollers, so I will it a go.

http://www.beatsons.co.uk/painting-decorating-c1587/varnish-mini-roller-sleeves-10-pack-p4961

 

[Spi D]

Wipe it.

Plenty of videos on Youtube, also these

 

[Bob_Ranft]

Had similar problem varnishing 15 foot wide bulkhead on a catamaran. Main problem was brush marks. Then remembered that all the wood work in all the liners we used to build was essentially french polished. The lacquer / varnish was applied with cloth pads. So in order to provide a lint free cloth I used a new tack cloth. Folded it into a pad, dipped it into varnish and set to on the bulkhead. Result - a total brush / bubble mark free finish applied in a fraction of the time taken with a brush. I always varnish large relatively flat areas by this method now. The old ship builders knew a thing or two. Try it on a small out of the way area.

Best of luck
Bob

 

[alant]

Hello,

I have a lot of interior varnishing to do this winter. There are some bulkheads, large areas that will need varnishing and I was wondering if a roller can be used, or if it would just introduce too many bubbles.

If a roller is suitable, what is the best kind and tips on usage e.g. thin varnish a bit, tip off with a brush after coating, roller and sand between coats and brush on final top coat, or brush last 2 coats.

The Varnish will be Ronseal Exterior Satin, I have used that with brush on various locker doors and like the finish. So far I have used brushes for my varnishing but have never taken on so much surface area before.

Thanks,

BlowingOldBoots

Have used a roller on white gloss at home (doors) & good results.
I use a small radiator roller, with a sponge sleeve.
Don't load roller too much.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Have used a roller on white gloss at home (doors) & good results.
I use a small radiator roller, with a sponge sleeve.
Don't load roller too much.

Make sure the sleeve is specifically for thinners based paints, otherwise it will dissolve in the paint or varnish...

 

[alant]

Make sure the sleeve is specifically for thinners based paints, otherwise it will dissolve in the paint or varnish...

Not using a water based varnish then?

Anyway, which manufacturer would sell dissolving paint roller sleeves?

 

[Ardenfour]

Erm...quite a few. I usually get a quarter of my underside antifouling before my sleeve disintegrates

 

[Ardenfour]

Have had good results with this varnish by experimentally thinning it with Owatrol

 

[alant]

Erm...quite a few. I usually get a quarter of my underside antifouling before my sleeve disintegrates

Buy them in B&Q, instead of a chandlers then.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Buy them in B&Q, instead of a chandlers then.

At Mersea roller refills are cheaper at the chandlers than B&Q by a long chalk... (something like 99p as opposed to £2)

 

[capetown]

http://www.cvrda.org/boats/hintstips/varnishing/varnish_menu.htm
I use this guys site. The idiots guides to varnishing.
He's a star, works for me.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI7DjFy32DA

This bloke has a few videos on youtube his work is good. This one shows roller varnishing.

 

[LooseHeadPop]

http://www.cvrda.org/boats/hintstips/varnishing/varnish_menu.htm
I use this guys site. The idiots guides to varnishing.
He's a star, works for me.

I know this is a five year old thread, but this very useful guide has moved:
Here

 

[Farmer Piles]

A great tip from my daughter's partner is to put 5% thinners in paint and varnish as being that little bit less viscous means that the finish is superb. He is a professional yacht rigger who has worked on superyachts and renovated numerous boats of his own.

 

[wallacebob]

This also works for emulsion paints: much better finish on smooth ceilings and walls with 5% water added.

 

[Hunterlees]

These rollers work well for me

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CST4SEU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_PGJW6RJ15TZ13XH94YV1