Varnishing bare wood Windsor-like chair

Multiple layers of 1/3 varnish (not water based), Danish oil, white spirits , gives a very tough and durable finish. The varnish does not need to be gl oss. You put a layer on, wait a few minutes and then remove any surplus wit h a rag. It soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top like varnish.

Jonathan

I prefer button polish, but that's a personal preference. Very easy to remove and refinish if necessary.

What finish do you want?

I personally like very natural wood and use sprayable cellulose lacquers.

But that is a personal preference.

In message , Timothy Murphy writes

I had some old Ercol dining chairs dip stripped, and finished them with Danish Oil. Delighted with the results. Probably 20 years ago now, so cannot remember the exact process, but plenty of fine wire wool and several coats of oil. I think I applied the final coat of oil using fine wire wool. The results were stunning - far better than I expected. The chairs are still in regular use.

Whatever you do, try and invest the time to get it rubbed down as smooth as you can. Nothing worse than badly prepared wood that is then varnished.

Gently denib between coats with 400grit paper and wipe over with tack rags before re-coating. I'm using this process at the moment on DIY built furniture and getting two coats on per day in this heat. Otherwise 1 coat per day in a scrupulously clean dust free atmosphere.