What Kind of Varnish to Use on Knotty Pine?

Preparation

• Examine your knotty pine for rough spots. Sand these areas down with sandpaper before continuing. Use a wood conditioner to give the knotty pine a more aged look and to even out the light and dark spots of the wood. Read your chosen wood stain product instructions thoroughly. Open the can and stir well. Apply the stain, allow to sit for up to 10 minutes or time allotted on instructions. Wipe excess stain off with a washcloth. Reapply coats for a richer, darker color.

Varnish

• Finish the project with a polyurethane varnish. A clear, water-based polyurethane varnish is the best choice for knotty pine wood. This varnish seals and protects the newly stained wood. Two to three coats of varnish should seal the knotty pine well. You usually find varnish with a glossy finish, but you can also find matte and satin finish varnishes as well. Besides polyurethane, you will also find natural varnishes, such as shellac, as well as acrylic varnishes. These will work on knotty pine as well.

Clean-up

• Wood stains will not come out of clothes or most other porous surfaces. On non-porous surfaces, try using acetone or fingernail polish remove to remove the stains. If you purchased a water-based varnish, it should clean up with soap and water. Otherwise, read the product instructions for recommended clean-up procedures. When using stain and varnish, always protect your skin with protective clothing and gloves. Also wear clothing items that you do not care if it gets stains on it.

Considerations

• Knotty pine is a soft wood. This means it can be dented or damaged easily. Take extra precautions when working with this kind of wood. Apply varnish in an area where there is good ventilation. The chemical fumes are harmful to your lungs, and there also is the potential of exploding. Open the windows and doors while you work on this project, and keep them open while the varnish dries.