Modern technology has given most yacht varnishes a high gloss finish based on tung oil, phenolic resins, and some UV protection, although it does not have the same flexibility as good-old spar varnish. With that in mind, unless the material is subjected to the rigors of supporting a hull being battered by the sea, i.e., extreme flex, avoid applying yacht varnish at all costs. Oil Varnish Although it is often associated with wood finishing, varnish may be applied to various materials. Varnish, not unlike paint, can and is used for aesthetic and protective reasons. And, much like paint, varnishes have finishes that vary from gloss through satin to matte. This describes the sheen of the finish and how reflective it will be. painting and decorating supplies, including plaster and plasterboard, for the job will ensure a quality finish that can withstand the If you can’t decide whether your living room is more Dusted Fondant or Nordic Sky, our 75ml paint tester pots are handy for swatch testing your wall before you commit to a colour.

Various resins may also be combined with alkyds as part of the formula for typical “oil” varnishes that are commercially available. Generally, it should be used over prepared plywood, fiberboard, and natural wood substrate. Lacquer Start painting at the top and cut in around the edges of the wall and your fixtures with a paintbrush. It’s easiest to work with small sections of wall at a time, so aim for about three feet each when it’s time to load up your roller. Then, paint in a vertical direction using a zig-zag pattern. When you push the roller upward on the first stroke, forming a ‘W’ pattern helps to evenly distribute the paint on the roller. Fill the pattern in without reloading until you’ve covered each small area, then continue on to the next one until your masterpiece is complete. For a look at how easy it is, here’s a video guide. Although they are hydrophilic, meaning that they repel water, they are also microporous, which allows the wood to breathe. Fungicides are predominantly added to these varnishes, thus hindering the growth of fungi and termite colonies. Exterior varnish is related to yacht varnish in terms of formulation and flexibility; however, they cure slowly despite being dry to the touch. Polyurethane Varnish This is clear, highly transparent, and does not usually yellow. This is less of a fuss than other varnishes since it is water-based; you can clean up with water, which makes it very user-friendly. However, it does not penetrate well into the wood, nor does it spread as uniformly as other varnishes. Exterior VarnishCan’t wait to dive into your decorating project, but you don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. Often called marine varnish or, more descriptively, spar varnish, yacht varnish is a highly flexible varnish that was originally intended for use on boats to prevent water from gradually seeping into the wooden spars of the hull due to weather or just the waves. In a selection of colours, styles and finishes, our range of interior, exterior and specialist paint will give you all the options you need to transform any room in your home. you can ensure a professional finish every time. Take a look at our guide on how to hang wallpaper for some top tips and Whether you’re painting your floorboards or freshening up your garden railings, our range of specialist paint will have you covered.

Like exterior varnish, this varnish is tough and long-lasting, but polyurethane varnish is more often used on floors, cabinets and other areas, which get a lot of use in their lifespan. This is heat resistant and will give a clear and tough finish, which, like exterior varnish, is available in gloss, satin, and matte finishes. Different materials and uses call for different types of varnish. Whether you want to give the wood a nice, pleasing finish or if you want to protect it from the elements, the varnish you will be using can be any one of the eight mentioned below: Spirit Varnish

Clean the surface

Apply to wallpaper in your children’s bedroom to create a washable and durable protective layer – no more headaches about crayon marks and dirty hand prints!

Although it lasts long, this varnish does not have the same UV protection that exterior varnish has, so keep that in mind when using it in outdoor scenarios. Yacht Varnish Perhaps you want to use an expensive statement wallpaper in your bathroom, but it’s not waterproof – a couple of coats of varnish will seal it in and protect you from expensive mistakes We also deliver to the majority of non mainland UK locations including The scottish Highlands & islands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly and Northern Ireland. Please see full delivery terms for the extra charges associated with these locations This varnish enhances the wood grain and color. Alkyds are chemically modified vegetable oils that operate well in a wide range of conditions and can be engineered to speed up the cure rate and, thus, harden faster.

How do I stain wood?

Our interior wall and ceiling paint offers a wide range of options for general living areas, designed to update your most loved spaces. Our range of Dulux colour paint includes a variety of ready mixed emulsion paint, trim and masonry paints in an large array of colours, with undercoat and primer options to match for a professional finish. Incredibly durable and hard-wearing, this kind of varnish is purpose-made for materials in outdoor spaces—especially those exposed to extreme weather. Increased UV protection with this varnish means that the wood beneath is well-protected from all kinds of sun damage. When it comes to colour, the current most popular options are white and grey paint for an ultra modern and clean look, ideal for frequently changing rooms. A paints finish will affect the overall appearance, feel, and durability of your paint, so it’s important to understand the differences to achieve your desired aesthetic. Matt paint has a non-reflective finish, chalk paint has a matt, shabby-chic finish, while eggshell paint is low-sheen and durable. Additionally, satinwood paint has a subtle sheen and is great for interior woodwork, while gloss paint is high-shine and ideal for exterior woodwork and metal surfaces. Essentially, it’s a varnish that you can apply to nearly all surfaces to provide a strong, waterproof layer of protection without impacting on the existing colour and texture. It’s a water-based varnish that’s available in three finishes – gloss, satin and dead flat – making it an ideal solution for a number of decorating jobs. Where should I consider using it? By and large, the varnish is just paintedwithout the pigment. If you break it down to its simplest elements, what you end up with is any mixture of these three ingredients: Varnish Oils

Probably the biggest downside of varnish, however, is that, unlike paint, varnish does not have a plethora of colors to choose from, making it less versatile in general for aesthetic purposes; that is if you do not like the radiant beauty of the wood which the varnish accentuates. Types of Varnish This can be speeded up by boiling or treating to polymerize the oil or adding additives partly. The most commonly used drying oils are Tung oil and Linseed oil. This is suited for use on exposed surfaces requiring polishing or frequent cleaning and for superior works. Another use for drying oil is for the violin, which is often used as a varnish and alternative to spirit varnish. Alkyd Varnish Your choice of resin can also affect the varnish, like varnish oil, so resins that do not color the varnish are favored. ThinnerThis type of varnish generally does not penetrate the wood deeply, so primers like an oil-based varnish or a thin shellac solution are applied beforehand. In addition to its excellent hardness and durability, it is resistant to spills of mild acids, solvents, and other chemicals. More commonly known as Shellac or French-Polish, Spirit Varnish uses shellac dissolved in spirit, which is then applied in a thin layer on the material, but this is not strictly a varnish. A beetle in South East Asia secretes Shellac, which is usually bought in flakes diluted with alcohol before use. Because it’s water-based rather than oil-based, decorator’s varnish is very easy to apply without streaks or runs – just use a good quality brush or roller and apply the varnish in smooth strokes. Choose the dead flat version for wallpaper and painted walls, but always try a small test application somewhere inconspicuous first to ensure that the varnish doesn’t alter the colour – it should dry undetected, but there can occasionally be a slight colour change. Better safe than sorry! Prep walls using our professional knives and blades to remove flaky old paint and wallpaper. Get doors ready for redecoration, with heavy-duty scrapers to even wooden surfaces and shave hooks for those hard-to-reach areas. When your surfaces are ready, it’s time to prime and paint using our painting tools. Paint brushes, rollers, and trays will help you achieve your client’s desired results. Hire a paint mixer from us for consistent colour across large surface areas. By dissolving hard resins like amber or copal in oil, you can get what is sometimes called Drying Oil. Although it is used as a varnish, it is not varnish; it is just varnish without the rest of the ingredients, leaving only the oil. Because it is only the oils, they take a long time to dry – often weeks for raw oils.