[Woodcarver] Finishing Question

[Victor Hamburger]

> Alex Bisso wrote:

> I used Bartley Gel Varnish as an initial finishing coat on a carving and when
> still wet used the gel varnish as a medium for oil paints to add some color
> highlights.  Now I would like to do the final finish coating with a satin Deft
> spray and am wondering if that will work over the Bartley Gel varnish.  

Alex,

What you are doing is applying spray lacquer over a varnish base.  I would let
the varnish dry a week (Varnish drys from the outside to the inside, forming
first a "shell", then a skin) and then spray it with the lacquer, several light
coats.   

As always, read the labels (they may tell you NOT to use lacquer over varnish)
and experiment, experiment, experiment! While you are still carving the piece
you want to try this finish with, cut a piece of scrap, fair size, and start
finishing it before you are ready to finish the final piece.  IF it works, you
are all set, if not, well, back to the drawing board!  

FWIW, I believe several companies make a satin varnish in a spray can now, and
that will work just fine over the gel varnish.  Again, let everything dry so
there is no smell left of the finish before you apply the next coat.  

Good luck,  Vic H