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soft varnish

 
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Mat Roop
Senior Member


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 1:32 pm    Post subject: soft varnish Reply with quote

I received an old violin for restoration apparently made 80-100 yrs ago, by a family member who was a doctor. It seems to be well made to 7/8 dimensions.
My concern is that the varnish has been applied rather thick and is still somewhat soft.. holding it firmly will leave fingerprints. The owners wish to leave it to their late teens daughter for use.

1- considering it will be used regularly, what can be done to "dry" the varnish, or at least harden the surface so that rosin and dirt does not stick so readily.
2- If not much can be done, what special care tips should I offer?

Thanks for your advice!... Mat
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L P Reedy
Super Member


Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 276
Location: Brevard, NC

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If this is 80 to 100 year-old varnish, it isn't going to get better on its own. If it has been recently applied, it might harden over time but might better be "polished" with alcohol. (But I'm not officially recommending that.)

One alternative, as suggested elsewhere, is to let it wear as it will. Another alternative MIGHT be to French polish it. However, that would require a test on an inconspicuous spot. I have no such experience so don't know how it would work.
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DonLeister
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Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 383
Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe you could hang it up 24/7 and let it get some air for a good while.

Also you could let it get some light, either direct sunlight (leave it near a window) or hang it in a UV lightbox if you have one.

Has it been in a case for a long time?
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it has been in a case for many many years... I cleaned the surface with xylene and that seemed to help... Like Don suggested, I'll expose it to sunlight for a week or so and see what happens.
Not sure I want to try french polish as the base might be too soft.
Thanks for the comments... mat
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Michael Darnton
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 1281
Location: Chicago

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If all else fails, you might spray orange shellac on top. This won't harden it, but it will float with it, and keep the surface from being sticky. That would be a last-resort kind of thing!
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

worked out real nice... client loves the result. I just did a couple of wipe- downs with Xylene and then aired it out for a month.
My guess is that the combination of the the residue of smoke and smut and the violin being sealed in the case for decades was the culprit.
Thanks for all your comments:) ... Mat
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DonLeister
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Joined: 29 Mar 2007
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Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent!
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