Making Helmsman Spar Varnish Less Shiny?

[mmattockx]

As the title says, what do people use to take the gloss off of Helmsman Spar Varnish? As a related question, I seem to be getting fairly thick coats straight from the can. I am thinking of thinning some with turpentine to see if that gives me thinner coats. Any comments on that approach?


Thanks,
Mark

[DC]

A related question, how are you applying it? I've had trouble with varnish drying. I've never tried it on bows for that reason. I would thin it with something. Maybe use pumice or rottenstone, is it, to take the shine off.

[mmattockx]

A related question, how are you applying it? I've had trouble with varnish drying. I've never tried it on bows for that reason. I would thin it with something. Maybe use pumice or rottenstone, is it, to take the shine off.

With a fine bristled brush, as the instructions suggest. It does stay kind of gummy for a few days but eventually dries. Living in Alberta probably helps that some... I am going to thin some 3 parts varnish to 1 turpentine and try it on the bow I am currently finishing. If that doesn't work I may switch to tung oil for the next one. I do like the amber tint that the varnish gives to maple, though.

Any suggestions for how to use the pumice? I was thinking of trying some of the fine scotchbrite but it will probably leave too many scratches.


Mark

[DC]

I've never actually used pumice except maybe in high school and that was too long ago to remember. I still have the table though I've just heard guys on here using it. Maybe do a test piece with different thinnesses.(wd?)

[mullet]

I spray it out of the can and if I don't want it shiney I use the satin finish.

[Hawkdancer]

Light buff with 0000 bronze wool or steel wool, pumice will also work, but lightly is the key.  Using the satin spray works better, as Mullet said.
Hawkdancer

[Will B]

I also use satin spray spar urethane with good results. Keep can 10”-12” away from bow. My bows are less glossy using this method.

[Allyn T]

Weylin has a YouTube video of how to use truoil and he uses pumice on that to cut down shine. It's a good video, swiftwood bows is the name of the channel

[Weylin]

Weylin has a YouTube video of how to use truoil and he uses pumice on that to cut down shine. It's a good video, swiftwood bows is the name of the channel

ha, came here to tell him about that method. Pumice powder mixed with cooking oil is what I use.

[jeffp51]

I second the pumice slurry in vegetable oil.  It works really, really well.

[mmattockx]

I spray it out of the can and if I don't want it shiney I use the satin finish.

I could only find the gloss in the can in Canada, no spray and no satin. I would have chose satin to start with if it had been an option when I was looking.

ha, came here to tell him about that method. Pumice powder mixed with cooking oil is what I use.

I will have a look at your video, this may be the answer for me.


Mark

[Pat B]

I use spray satin poly over Tru-Oil to cut the shine. I bet it would work over spar varnish but I'd do a test first.

[Hamish]

Dean Torges  method is a couple of coats of spar varnish for maximum protection, then several coats of satin over the top to take off the shine.

[PatM]

Gloss is apparently a harder and more elastic finish  than satin.  You can easily buff out the gloss with any micro-abrasive.  Even toothpaste will work.

[Allyn T]

I had no idea toothpaste was to versatile!