Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/29/2010

Question
I have stripped my kitchen table down to its original wood and I am now ready for the varnishing of it.  How do I prepare it for the varnish and I was going to use Varathane diamond finish.

I was going to give it 4 or 5 coats then let is cure for 24 hours?

Answer
Hi Diane
Nice to hear from you.
If you have stripped the table down to bare wood its now ready for staining if you are using a stain.
Perhaps you are leaving the natural wood with no stain but you don't say.
But the table is now also ready for your varathane too.
No need for 4 or 5 coats. Three are all thats needed. No more is recommended.
Follow the can directions for recoat times.
You should be able to apply a coat in the morning, one after supper and the final coat the next morning.
And let it cure at least 24 hours before use as you say.
Personally I would stain the table prior to varathane. Birch takes a stain beautifully.
Let the stain dry overnight then apply the varathane.
Great question.
Regards
Eileen