WHEN TO USE WIPING VARNISH?
Sutherland Welles Ltd.®’s Wiping Varnish with Polymerized Tung Oil is the perfect finish for applications that require the properties of a resin system but want the look of a hand-rubbed finish. In areas where added durability or increased protection from moisture is required, such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnish is the best choice. Additionally, when a quicker build to reach the desired sheen, while maintaining a hand-rubbed look, is the goal – our Wiping Varnish formulated with Polymerized Tung Oil will achieve the desired look in two finish coats!
WHY IS SUTHERLAND WELLES LTD.WIPING VARNISH SO SUPERIOR?
Our Wiping Varnish is superior because it is formulated with the very best of ingredients. In Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnishes, the only oil added is Polymerized Tung Oil. Other manufacturers of oil-modified varnishes use linseed, soy or paraffin oils because they are cheaper; but their performance as finishing oils is inferior to our Polymerized Tung Oil. In addition to the Polymerized Tung Oil, we add the highest quality urethane resin, minimal amounts of low-toxic driers and very clean mineral spirits as a solvent. The solid content of Sutherland Welles Ltd ®’s Wiping Varnish is higher than most other manufacturers of wiping resin systems, and it always has been.
WHY USE POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL?
Oil added to a resin allows the resin to be used as a wiping finish. The oil gives flexibility in the application process and allows the cured finish to remain flexible as the wood experiences seasonal climate changes. The quality of the oil is as important as the choice of resin. Sutherland Welles Ltd. ®Polymerized Tung Oil is the best choice to add to a resin. In addition, not all polymerization processes are the same. To some manufactures “polymerization” means adding modifiers to uncooked raw Tung Oil or to only partially cooked Tung Oil. Sutherland Welles Ltd.®’s polymerization process is unique because we polymerize, or cook, Tung Oil to its “maximal thermal threshold”. This process involves carefully monitoring the cooking of the batch that converts raw Tung Oil into a finishing oil. Our sophisticated polymerization promotes a three-dimensional molecular locking that produces a finishing oil with superior adhesion, maximum flexibility, durability and gorgeous sheen. We call this our Loc-Lamin®Finishing System. Our Polymerized Tung Oil added to a superior resin makes an outstanding finish!
DIRECTIONS FOR USING WIPING VARNISH
Wood Preparation
The surfaces to be finished should be free of lint, dirt, grease, wax, oil, old paint or finish. For new wood, the surface should be sanded to a 180-220/grit finish. Avoid using higher grits as they close the pores, minimizing penetration of the Wiping Varnish Sealer. Vacuum and tack the surface to remove any dust (especially important when using as a surface finish).
Finishing conditions
Ideal conditions are a temperature range of 55-75 °F with humidity less than 65%. Whenever you finish in conditions out of these recommended ranges you may experience difficulty in applying the finish and you will need to allow for longer curing times. Reapplying finish before the previous coat is adequately cured causes STREAKING and FLASHING of the finish. This is evidenced by dull areas in the finish where moisture is trapped. Avoiding streaking and flashing in the finish is a function of adequate curing time. Curing time is a function of finishing conditions; that’s why paying attention to your finishing environment is important!
The Finishing Process
There are two processes that can be used to apply Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnish. The first is as a penetrating finish, where the Wiping Varnish is applied with a natural bristle brush or a rag, allowed to penetrate the wood pores and then is wiped completely off the surface. A penetrating finish allows the wood to age naturally and develop a rich patina as the wood interacts with the environment and with use.
The second process is as a surface finish. This technique is employed when protecting the wood is of importance and you want a higher sheen. A surface finish actually creates a barrier between the wood and the environment. This process is more demanding in both the technique in which the finish is applied and the environment that you do your finishing in will need to be very clean and dust free.
In both techniques, the process begins with applying two coats of Wiping Varnish Sealer as the initial step in sealing the wood. Low, Medium or High Lustre Wiping Varnish will be used as finish coats. For a penetrating finish, we recommend two coats of sealer and four coats of one of the finish lustres to create a beautiful hand-rubbed look. For a surface finish, two-four coats of the finish lustres are recommended. The degree of sheen and type of use will be the ultimate factor in how many coats to apply. Both techniques share the rule of thumb that the finish coats be applied thinly to allow for both drying and curing to occur between applications. Apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat.
COVERAGE
Sealer: Quart: First coat: 75-150 sq. ft. Second coat: 150-200 sq .ft. Gallon: First coat: 300-600 sq.ft. Second coat: 600-800 sq. ft.
Low, Medium, or High Lustre: after two coats of Wiping Varnish Sealer. Quart: 250 sq. ft. Gallon: 1000 sq. ft.
Directions for a Penetrating (wiped) Finish
Application of Wiping Varnish Sealer
After properly preparing the wood surface, apply the first coat of Wiping Varnish Sealer liberally with a natural bristle brush. It is not uncommon for most of this coat to be absorbed into the wood with a minimal amount left on the surface. After 10-15 minutes, wipe the surface completely using a clean rag or cheesecloth. Allow the first coat to dry and cure approximately 6-8 hours. The sealing process tends to raise the grain of the wood, although less with a wiping finish. If the surface feels rough after the first coat has completely cured, lightly sand the surface using a 220 grit sandpaper. Vacuum and tack the surface prior to applying the second coat of sealer. The second coat is applied using the same technique, but using less Wiping Varnish Sealer. Completely cover the surface with Wiping Varnish Sealer and allow the sealer to penetrate approximately 10 minutes. Completely wipe the surface dry with a clean soft rag or cheesecloth. Allow the second coat to dry/cure 6-8 hours. If the surface isn’t smooth enough to your preference, sand with 320 or 400 grit sandpaper or rub with #0000 steel wool prior to applying the finish coats. Remember to vacuum and tack the surface prior to recoating.
Application of Low, Medium or High Lustre
Using a natural bristle brush or a clean rag, apply the finish coats thinly. Allow 5-10 minutes for the Wiping Varnish to penetrate and then using a clean rag or cheesecloth; wipe the remaining Wiping Varnish off using a circular motion. Keep changing the area of the rag to a dry spot to pick up all traces of the Wiping Varnish. Your final wipe should be in the direction of the grain of the wood. Allow 12-24 hours for this coat to both dry and cure. Successive coats are applied using the technique described above. If the surface should tack-up before you wipe it off, simply apply more wiping varnish and wipe off immediately and thoroughly.
Cure Test: To avoid STREAKING AND FLASHING in the finish, perform the cure test prior to applying a coat of finish. Streaking and flashing are the appearance of dull spots in the finish. This occurs when moisture is trapped in the layers of finish due to insufficient curing time. Slide your finger tips over the surface to be recoated. If they glide easily over the surface – you are ready to apply your next coat. If there is any “grab” or friction felt, you will need to wait longer for this coat to cure. Repeat the cure test every two-four hours until your fingers slip easily across the surface.
Waxing (Optional)
After the surface is completely cured, the finish may be waxed using a carnauba paste wax. The technique we recommend is to use a piece of #0000 steel wool dipped in a small amount of turpentine and then into the wax can. A small amount of paste wax goes a long way using this technique. We buff before the wax is completely dry with a clean soft rag. Make sure you avoid loading the wax into crevices as it will dry and become obvious. Carnauba paste wax is available in white, orange and antique brown color.
Directions for Surface (brush applied/no wiping) Application
Application of Wiping Varnish Sealer
After properly preparing the wood surface, apply the first coat of Wiping Varnish Sealer liberally with a natural bristle brush. It is not uncommon for most of this coat to be absorbed into the wood with a minimal amount left on the surface. Allow the first coat to dry and cure approximately 6-8 hours. The sealing process tends to raise the grain of the wood. The surface will feel rough after the first coat has completely cured. Lightly sand the surface using a 220 grit sandpaper. Vacuum and tack the surface prior to applying the second coat of sealer. The second coat is applied using the same technique, but using less Wiping Varnish Sealer. Completely and evenly cover the surface with Wiping Varnish Sealer. Allow the second coat to dry 6-8 hours. After the second coat is dry and cured, lightly sand with 320/400 grit sandpaper prior to applying the finish coats. Remember to vacuum and tack the surface prior to recoating.
Application of Low, Medium or High Lustre Wiping Varnish
Using a natural bristle brush, apply the first finish coat thinly and evenly across the surface to be finished. Bubbles in the finish mean you have too much Wiping Varnish on the surface. Keep brushing until the bubbles disappear. Brush marks will level as the coat dries. Allow the coat to dry and cure completely 12-24 hours. Lightly sand the dry surface with a 400/600 grit sandpaper. Vacuum and tack the surface prior to recoating. Successive coats are applied using the technique described above.
CURE TEST: To avoid STREAKING AND FLASHING in the finish perform the cure test prior to applying a coat of finish. Streaking and flashing are the appearance of dull spots in the finish. This occurs when moisture is trapped in the layers of finish due to insufficient curing time. Slide your finger tips over the surface to be recoated. If they glide easily over the surface – you are ready to apply your next coat. If there is any “grab” or friction felt, you will need to wait longer for this coat to cure. Repeat the cure test every two-four hours until your fingers slip easily across the surface.
Final Coat on a Surface Finish
To assure a smooth final surface without having to sand, we recommend that you wipe off the final coat you apply to provide a clean, dry surface that will not collect dust. Sand the surface using a 600 grit sandpaper. After applying the final coat, using a clean rag balled up to fit the palm of your hand, lightly wipe the surface immediately using a circular motion to provide a rich sheen. Finish wiping in the direction of the grain. Remove excess any Wiping Varnish.
Waxing (Optional)
In general, waxing isn’t recommended when using the Wiping Varnish as a surface finish because it interferes with adhesion when subsequent coatings are applied as a surface finish. If you do decide to wax make sure to strip as much wax from the surface as possible prior to applying any maintenance coatings. The directions for waxing are as follows. After the surface is completely cured, the finish may be waxed using a carnauba paste wax. The technique we recommend is to use a small piece of #0000 steel wool dipped in a small amount of turpentine and then into the wax can. A small amount of paste wax goes a long way using this technique. We buff before the wax is completely dry with a clean soft rag. Make sure you avoid loading the wax into crevices as it will dry and become obvious. Carnauba paste wax is available in white, orange and antique brown color.
Maintenance of a Wiping Varnish Finish
Maintaining a Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnish finish is easy. Our Wood Care™ product is designed to be used as a periodic wood conditioning that both cleans and adds oil to the finish. The Wood Care™ may be used regardless of whether the finish was applied as a surface finish or a penetrating finish. Follow the directions on the label.
Periodic maintenance – use only Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Dust and Tacking Oil™ according to directions on the label. Formulated with a high quality mineral oil and our low toxic solvent, Di-citrusol™, the product is perfect for removing everyday dust from furniture, cabinets etc. Perfect to prep surfaces prior to using any surface coating such as our Murdoch’s Table Top™ or our Wiping Varnish.
Yearly maintenance – use Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wood Care™ according to directions on the label. This product is formulated with our Polymerized Tung Oil and our low toxic solvent, Di-citrusol™. Wood Care™ is perfect for any project finished with any of our products. Wood Care™ enhances the patina while protecting the wood.
RESURFACING OF A WIPING VARNISH FINISH
There are three steps to resurfacing a Wiping Varnish finish; clean, sand and re-coat. Over time, any wood finish will need rejuvenation. Grime, dust and environmental exposure all take their toll on a finish. In general, the process you used to initally finish the wood will be the process you use to resurface; penetrating or surface application.
PENETRATING FINISH:
The first step is to clean the surface using Sutherland Welles Ltd. ®Cleaner according to the directions on the label. If the surface has been waxed, a penetrating finish will dissolve enough of the wax to maintain the integrity of the Loc-Lamin ® System. Once the surface is clean, lightly sand the surface with a 400 grit sandpaper. The final step is to use Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnish in either Low, Medium or High Lustre. Apply a thin coat with a clean soft rag or natural bristle brush, allow five minutes for it to penetrate and then wipe the surface completely removing all the Wiping Varnish. Allow the surface to dry and cure 12-24 hours before using.
SURFACE FINISH:
The first step is to clean the surface using Sutherland Welles Ltd. ®Cleaner according to the directions on the label. It is very important for a surface finish to have all traces of paste wax removed prior to resurfacing to insure adhesion. Once the surface is clean, lightly sand the surface with a 400grit sandpaper. Vacuum and tack the surface to remove dust particles. The final step is to use Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wiping Varnish in either Low or Medium Lustre. Apply a thin coat with a natural bristle brush. After the surface is dry, lightly sand using a 600 grit sandpaper. Reapply another coat of Wiping Varnish. To avoid dust in your final surface, the second coat can be applied and wiped off before the finish tacks up. Allow the surface to dry and cure 12-24 hours before using.