Review: Pratt and Lambert Varnish

We used Pratt and Lambert 38 Clear Varnish in Dull for all the window sills and shelves on the 2nd floor. This included the pantry shelving and all the shelves in the closets.

I applied one coat, waited a day, sanded lightly with 200 grit sandpaper, wiped the area clean, and then applied a 2nd coat. While it feels like there is a coating, it doesn't look like it. There is no shine. We are pretty much anti-shiny when it comes to wood at our house so we are very happy with this product.

As you well know, we like to feel our wood. Nothing can separate us from the feel of oak under our fingers- nothing! As a result, all the furniture Steve makes is treated with linseed oil and then fumed, and it doesn't have a surface that is difficult to repair like a high gloss finish would be.

Steve used the same varnish for the medicine cabinet this week only he applied the maximum of 3 coats.

It's still dull, so we are happy. We like things dull.


But tomorrow, get ready for some excitement when the iron railing goes up.

On the tenant front, still no tenants. I'll do a separate post about that tomorrow hopefully.

Tip on polyurethane:
It's important to use the same based product over another. For example, when we poly'd our radiator covers, we used a water-based poly because the paint we were coating over was water-based. When coating over an oil-based stain, use oil based poly. Also, never shake the can or you will get the dreaded bubbles. Note the stirring stick in first photo.