15″ 5-String Viola Varnish Progress

Continuing the Varnishing Process:

Color Coats

On my last post, I had the base coat of yellow varnish applied and dry, so the next step would be to sand it smooth, removing any sags, runs, “orange-peel,” or other flaws, so that the color coats would lie down smooth and flat.

After sanding, and rubbing the dust away with a rag, I added heavily colored varnish, in very thin coats:

1st color coat, front: 15
1st color coat, front view.

 

1st color coat, side view.
1st color coat, side view.

 

1st color coat, back view.
1st color coat, back view.

 

1st Color coat, scroll.
1st color coat, scroll.

 

I let the varnish dry for a day, then sanded all over with 400-grit, to remove any flaws, and added a second color coat:

2nd color coat, front view.
2nd color coat, front view.

 

2nd color coat, side view.
2nd color coat, side view.

 

2nd Color Coat, Back view.
2nd color coat, back view.

 

2nd Color Coat, Scroll.
2nd color coat, scroll.

 

Decisions, Decisions!

After this, the challenge becomes “knowing when to stop.” (I like the looks of the instrument right now, but perhaps I would like it better darker. On the other hand, if I don’t like it better darker, I will be stuck with it.) So I have to spend some time looking at it in different lighting, and from different angles.

When I decide that I have enough color applied, I will add a clear coat or two, to anchor all the color, and protect it from wear. Then it will be set-up time!

 

Thanks for looking.