How to Varnish a Wooden Piece of Furniture?

Protecting your wooden furniture is crucial! To do this, do not neglect the finish that will preserve your piece of furniture and enhance it. Varnish protects the wood while giving it a glossy finish, highlighting its color and grain. Do you want to try this finishing method? Here is how to varnish a wooden piece of furniture.

Why varnish a wooden piece of furniture?

Wood is a material that needs protection: although noble, raw wood is fragile, especially when faced with humidity. Varnishing your wooden piece of furniture allows you to both beautify and protect it.

Protect wooden furniture from stains and humidity

Wooden furniture fears water: any splash can cause stains. On a daily basis, it is exposed to humidity, especially in the bathroom and the kitchen. Varnishing your furniture creates a protective film on the wood, preventing humidity from penetrating. Thus, spills remain on the surface and are easily removed.

Fixing paint on painted wooden furniture

Varnish is an excellent finish for a painted wooden piece of furniture! It forms a protective film that sets the paint and protects it. For a piece of furniture often used like a dining table, applying varnish is essential. It extends the lifespan of your painted wooden furniture and enhances the surface.

How to proceed?

To varnish your piece of furniture, prepare the surface to obtain a neutral base. If your furniture has already been varnished, use a stripper and remove the layers of varnish with a spatula.

Protect yourself: a paint stripper is a chemical product that must be handled with care, outdoors or in a ventilated room. Wear goggles, gloves, and a protective mask.

Once the piece of furniture is stripped, sand it down so that the varnish adheres well. Use sandpaper or a sander. Adapt the grit to the wood: solid wood can handle a medium grit, but veneer requires a fine grit.

If your furniture has holes and cracks, repair them with a suitable product. Then, apply the varnish following the manufacturer's instructions:

• Dust off the furniture.
• With a brush or a flat brush, apply the first coat of varnish, following the grain of the wood.
• Let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Once dry, use #000 steel wool and rub it gently in the direction of the wood grain.
• Dust off again and apply a second coat of varnish.
• Let dry.
  
  

Which finish to choose for varnishing wooden furniture?

Varnish can enhance the appearance of the wood, whether natural or stained.

Varnishing wooden furniture while keeping its natural color

Do you love the authentic look of wood? Use a clear varnish to preserve the original color and visible grain. There are matte, satin, or glossy varnishes:

• A matte finish keeps a rustic feel and magnifies the raw wood.
• Glossy varnish adds shine to dark woods but reveals small imperfections.
• Satin varnish highlights the grain of light woods with a slight sheen.
  
  

Varnishing wooden furniture by adding color

Do you want to change the color of your piece of furniture? Use a tinted varnish that adds color without hiding the wood, unlike paint. Choose the color according to the wood species for a natural result or opt for a different shade to alter the appearance of the piece of furniture.

Varnishing wooden furniture while taking care of the environment

Indoor air is increasingly polluted by various products! Consider the fumes from wood strippers, which should be used outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. There are organic strippers that are less polluting, which we recommend.

For varnishes, prefer a water-based varnish, which is environmentally friendly, low in VOCs, and odorless.