Badly worn or painted wood

1 quart of polyurethane, alkyd or spar varnish

A new, soft paint brush, 2"-3" wide

A few sheets of 7/0 sandpaper

Some tack cloth

Plenty of newspaper

Good ventilation

2-4 hours, depending on size of furniture

2torial #0549: Learn2 Varnish a Wood Surface "Could be a sticky situation!?!" For protecting wood furniture from the elements, synthetic varnish can be a strong ally. Just wander down to any yacht harbor and examine boats with shiny wooden rails and trim: nobody knows better than a boat owner how to avoid the trials of sun, storm, and salt. But a sailor also knows patience. Applying the thick, slow-drying varnish will help hone those skills as well. Bring your furniture item into a temperate, dust-free room if possible: varnish is very sticky and you'll want to avoid creating a bug and leaf collage. If working outside, choose a moderate, windless day. Get your surfaces ready for varnish: remove any excess paint, sand the surface to the desired smoothness, and dust out any residue from the corners. Step 1