Varnish

[Ray Ussery]

Ken didn't post this but a while back he had posted this on another forum and it caught my eye. I saved the post and refinished a violin for a friend with this recipe and it turned out really great so I did his mandolin too...wonderful.
I have thought about using it on a guitar also, and can see no reason why not.
anyway, here's his previous post...definitely worth putting in you file or taking for a test drive!!

Ray :)


KMG sells Hindersine Violin Varnish they make two versions one oil and one spirit/alcohol based. Here's the recipe if you want to brew your own, it contains the seedlac element. Funny if it is not a type of varnish you'd think it would be called something else?

Luscombe Variation Violin Varnish Recipe
Luscombe Violins Inc. – http://www.violins.ca

This varnish recipe is based on an old traditional Italian recipe (the 1704 varnish) with slight changes.. I have found it to be an excellent varnish for new instruments - it dries fairly fast, is transparent and durable (not too hard or soft). I prefer the varnish to have a 'natural' feel, as most of the older Italian violins have. The materials to make it are available on our web site at http://www.violins.ca, and the preparation instructions below are fairly easy to follow; the process takes about 1-3 weeks and only about an hour of time (once you have the equipment and supplies).

This variation of the 1704 varnish I prefer to the original recipe for the varnishing of new instruments. A small amount of mastic improves adherence between coats, and the sandarac adds a bit of hardness. These ingredients are included in our varnish ingredients package, item number 2-1704I (please note that this is a double recipe):

90 grams seedlac
10 grams gum mastic
10 grams gum sandarac
10-14 ml. lavender spike oil (more oil yields a softer and more supple varnish)

400 ml. of ethyl alcohol are needed for this recipe, and is not included with the ingredients. This is available from us, or from a hardware store or chemical supply. We use denatured ethanol, which contains about 5-10% methyl alcohol (and thus is not subject to liquor taxes in Canada).

Preparation Instructions

Place all of the ingredients in a glass jar and let it dissolve, stirring at least twice a day, until the gums no longer sit and stick to the bottom of the jar (this may take from one to three weeks). When completely dissolved (there will be some naturally occurring dirt and sludge), boil in a double boiler for seven minutes, let cool, and then boil again for seven minutes. While still warm, filter through a cloth (I use a cheesecloth). If it is allowed to cool it will be difficult to filter. Repeat the filtering process until there is no more dirt in the filter (2-3 times is usually sufficient). Once this process is complete, and the varnish has cooled, it is ready to use. Since alcohol is lost in the cooking process, thinning with alcohol will probably be necessary to obtain brushing consistency. Be sure to have extra alcohol on hand for this.

The varnish colour will vary, depending on the particular shipment of Seedlac. This can range from a light yellow-gold, to an old-gold; from reddish to green. The 1704 varnish will usually be quite light without the use of colours. I prefer to start with a yellow base and build the darker colours on top. A varnish that does not have a good colour base of yellow tends to look incomplete regardless how much colour is put over the white wood. For more information about colouring violin varnish, please visit http://www.violins.ca/varnish/

_________________
Kencierp

Kenneth Michael Guitars est. 1978
http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com
http://www.cncguitarproducts.com

[Dave Bagwill]

That's very interesting. I did a practice pore fill and finish on some African mahogany using some high gloss quick dry varnish from Stewart-Williams, following directions in a finishing book for furniture, and the practice piece turned out wonderfully. I'm thinking of trying it on an actual project. I'm thinking this violin varnish would be a much better quality. Does Ken still sell this stuff?

[Ray Ussery]

last I heard he does Dave. I don't know if the stuff he sells is the same as the recipe he posted or not...give him a shout!

Ray :)