We are replacing all the "Victorian" 6 panel doors with a more modern 4 panel pine door veneered in oak. On the first door we applied 3 coats of silk varnish, carefully rubbed down then dusted off between coats. It looks superb, a lovely smooth silky sheen, not glossy, just like the doors you see in new hotels, airports etc.
The second door a few months later didn't go so well. Coats 1 & 2 were fine but coat 3 looks a bluddy mess. If you view it so that the light reflects off it, the surface is inconsistent, rough and looks like I went over it again when it was half dry (which I certainly didn't!)
I'm wondering if this is because by the time I did coat 3 of door 2 I'd reached the bottom of the can and the varnish was a bit thick? It certainly didn't seem to spread as easily as before. I wonder if I should have dropped in 10% of white spirit to help it flow? Would this be a good idea generally for the final coat, taking care of course not to let it drip?
Any advice gratefully received!
The second door a few months later didn't go so well. Coats 1 & 2 were fine but coat 3 looks a bluddy mess. If you view it so that the light reflects off it, the surface is inconsistent, rough and looks like I went over it again when it was half dry (which I certainly didn't!)
I'm wondering if this is because by the time I did coat 3 of door 2 I'd reached the bottom of the can and the varnish was a bit thick? It certainly didn't seem to spread as easily as before. I wonder if I should have dropped in 10% of white spirit to help it flow? Would this be a good idea generally for the final coat, taking care of course not to let it drip?
Any advice gratefully received!