Significance

• Varnish gives wood a protective coating and appearance. This is especially seen with artwork, hardwood floors, musical instruments, cabinets, furniture, tables and even ships.
  
  

Function

• Varnish is applied to the surface of wood and forms a clear, smooth coating when dry. This gives the wood a nice sheen and helps to preserve it by fending off moisture. One other function of varnish is to restore old wood and give it a fresh, new modern look. Varnish is also applied over stained wood to help prevent fading.
  
  

Features

• Varnish is clear and has a pungent smell to it. It is very flammable and should not be used anywhere near open fire or flames. It is applied with regular or foam brushes and is cleaned up with mineral spirits. Varnish should be left to dry for a minimum of 6 hours and can have as many coats as desired. Surfaces that are going to get a lot of wear and tear should have numerous coats.
  
  

Considerations

• One thing to take into consideration when applying varnish is wearing gloves. The best kind to wear are higher-grade surgical gloves or dishwashing gloves. This will save a lot of hand cleanup afterward and limit the exposure of cleaning agents to the flesh, which could be toxic.
  
  

Identification

• Varnish is generally used for wood but is also used for fingernails. Nail varnish dries quickly and comes in an array of different colors, including clear.
  
  

Warning

• Always have good ventilation when applying varnish. It can cause lightheartedness, nausea and can even cause blackouts. Also, be sure to dispose of rags that have been used for varnishing. They should never be thrown into a garbage can. This can cause combustion and lead to an explosion and fires.