Varnish (which brand?) for Soundboard

My manual says refinish the soundboard (I'm doing underneath) with varnish, but some use 'varnish' as a generic term. Can anyone recommend a tried and trusted commonly available (in the USA) brand of varnish I can finish my soundboard with?

I already have some 'lacquer clear-coat' but I do not know if this is varnish or not.

You don't want spar varnish, since it is designed to be flexible. You want the thinnest, lightest, finish possible. Why not use shellac? That was the traditional finish for most of the best pianos before WWII. Regards, Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html Well-tempered CD's at Gasparo.com. GSCD #332, 'Beethoven In the Temperaments' GSCD #344 . 'Six Degrees of Tonality' Caution, these CD's contain pure intervals and extensive liner notes!

what is spa vanish? if he piano recomends varnish why dont you just give him a brand name. Doesnt sheeac need boiling and rubbing I think I saw it on TV

Arby

'spar' varnish is a varnish formulated for outdoors.

TV

There are many brands of varnish, but since I don't use varnish, I can't recommend a particular brand, just a caveat about what type of varnish to avoid. Shellac doesn't need boiling, it can be bought premixed, but make sure it is fresh. The best shellac needs to be mixed from flakes and used as soon as possible. REgards,

Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html Well-tempered CD's at Gasparo.com. GSCD #332, 'Beethoven In the Temperaments' GSCD #344 . 'Six Degrees of Tonality' Caution, these CD's contain pure intervals and extensive liner notes!

What about egg white wash?

On my harps I use Deft Clear Wood Finish - thin for spraying with a HVLP, sand with 400 grit every two coats, apply 10-15 coats. It's a nitrocellulose-type lacquer and won't be ruined by alcohol - its main advantage over shellac. Also available in spray cans. Use lacquer thinner for clean-up. It can be brushed on with good results too.

Using shellac I use coats of two pound cut, sand every two coats.

Either way I final finish with fine steel wool lubricated with lemon oil, but you probably don't want to go that far on a soundboard.