Hardwood bannister varnish

[sparer]

Hi,
I have a hardwood bannister that has been painted with a varnish that has gone kinda sticky. I suspect it is one of these ronseal exterior products. I'm going to sand it all off but what would be the best product to use to revarnish with.

Thanks

 

[blup]

Danish oil worked on mine.

 

[opps]

If it has gone sticky, it may have been a waterbased varnish. Water based finishes fail when they come into regular contact with the oils in our skin.

Can you scrape it off with your fingernail?

Other than something like danish oil, you could consider french polish. It will give you a lovely finish, but will require numerous coats.

eg

 

[sparer]

It will scrape off with a fingernail. I won't have the opportunity to leave it for a long time to dry so I'll probably go for danish oil.

 

[opps]

Fair enough.

The shellac based French polish will however be touch dry after about 15 mins. Danish oil will take a few hours.

Danish oil= 2 or 3 coats. French polish= 3 to 4 coats.