VARNISH

a transparent, hard, protective finish or film used to protect wood, metal & other
materials from air & moisture & to improve their appearance.
Varnish is traditionally a combination of a drying oil, a resin, and a thinner or
solvent.

Varnish finishes are usually glossy but may be designed to produce satin or semigloss sheens by the addition of "flatting" agents.

Varnishes are also applied over wood stains as a final step to achieve a film for gloss
and protection.

Varnishes used on metals are sometimes called lacquers which help prevent corrosion
without dulling the metallic appearance.

After being applied, the film-forming substances in varnishes either harden directly,
as soon as the solvent has fully evaporated, or harden after evaporation of the solvent through
certain curing processes, primarily chemical reaction between oils and oxygen from the air
(autoxidation) and chemical reactions between components of the varnish.

Environmental factors such as heat and humidity play a very large role in the drying
and curing times of varnishes. In classic varnish the cure rate depends on the type of oil used
and, to some extent, on the ratio of oil to resin. The drying and curing time of all varnishes
may be speeded up by exposure to an energy source such as sunlight or heat.

Other than acrylic and waterborne types, all varnishes are highly flammable in their
liquid state due to the presence of flammable solvents and oils.

COMPONENTS OF CLASSIC VARNISH

Drying oil different types include linseed oil, tung oil, and walnut oil. These
contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Resin - include amber, dammar, copal, rosin {pine resin}, sandarac, balsam, and
others. The word varnish probably derives ultimately via ancient Greek from a
placename of a city in ancient Libya where resins from the trees of once existing
forests were sold. In modern English the ancient city is referred to as Berenice;
otherwise the existing city in modern Libya is called Benghazi.

Turpentine or solvent - Traditionally, natural (organic) turpentine was used as the

thinner or solvent, but has been replaced by several mineral based turpentine
substitutes such as white spirit or "paint thinner".

TYPES
Violin
Resin
Alkyd
Shellac
Spar Varnish

Drying oils
Polyurethane
Lacquer
Acrylic
Two-part