Making Helmsman Spar Varnish Less Shiny?

[Weylin]

I use Bon Ami natural cleaner. It's kinda like comet but with out the chemicals. It's basically the same thing as pumice powder but it's cheap and easy to find. You can use baking soda too for a finer polish that is closer to glossy

[Yooper Bowyer]

I've never been concerned about shine, but I've never been able to sand out the brush/rag streaks left behind with the wipe on without sanding the finish completely off the corners, I usually sand the finish lightly with fine sandpaper.  I'm considering switching to a soak-in finish, but helmsman works really well and I need a good finish in our 80% humidity summers.

[mmattockx]

Thanks to all for the responses. I will be trying a few of the things mentioned.

One update, last night I looked at the label while I was putting coat #2 on and it turns out this is the satin finish varnish. I can't imagine how shiny the gloss version would be when used with the same methods I am using now...


Mark

[bownarra]

I've never been concerned about shine, but I've never been able to sand out the brush/rag streaks left behind with the wipe on without sanding the finish completely off the corners, I usually sand the finish lightly with fine sandpaper.  I'm considering switching to a soak-in finish, but helmsman works really well and I need a good finish in our 80% humidity summers.

Simple answer
Tung oil - it has exceptional water resistance, is easy to apply a quick buff between coats with 0000 wire wool. No gloss and a lovely feel. Just remember to cut the first few coats 50/50 with white spirit and wipe off any excess before drying.

[Yooper Bowyer]

Is this a coating or soak in varnish?
How many applications should I expect to need? 
The humidity here can be 80-90% for weeks in summer, and sub 30% in winter.

How's boiled linseed oil? Can you put another finish on top of it if necessary? (I already have access to this stuff).

[Deerhunter21]

I like BLO. you have to reapply it a good bit if you want a nice looking coat (that you can actually see in contrast to the wood) but if your just looking to waterproof it a little i would suggest BLO. But if you looking for a thick coat or a tru oil like thickness without the shine i would say dont use BLO because its really just oil that wont rot that your wood absorbs.