Painting With Tinted Varnishes

Sand and prepare the surface that is to be painted. Sand the wood surface with 60-grit sandpaper attached to an orbital sander. Fill holes and cracks with wood filler that matches the natural wood surface.

Smooth the surface further with 80- and 120-grit sandpaper, working in circular motions. Apply three coats of wood conditioner to seal the wood grain, allowing 30 minutes drying time between coats. Since the conditioner will raise the wood grains, sand between coats with 120-grit sandpaper.

Paint on three coats of tinted varnish. Allow one hour between coats for drying time. Sand lightly between coats with 220-grit sandpaper. Do not place heavy pressure on the sandpaper to prevent removal of the tinted varnish. You only want to scuff the slick surface and remove minor surface imperfections.

Allow the varnish to fully cure for 24 to 48 hours after the final coat has been applied. Rub the surface with #0000 steel wool. Rub in circular motions vigorously to smooth out the final coat of tinted varnish. Observe the surface and check for remaining imperfections. Add misted water to the surface for further rubbing to remove even the finest imperfections or brush hairs.

Apply paste wax to the dried surface. Rub in the wax with #0000 steel wool, pressing the wax into the wood surface. Wax in a circular motion as you work your way along the tinted varnish. Allow the wax to sit for 30 minutes and wipe away with a clean, cotton rag. Polish the wood with the rag until the paste wax is completely removed.