Violin Forum/Message Board

kubasa · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 212

So here's my question - do you leave your varnish shiny or do you do a matte finish on it and why do you prefer one or the other? I'm simply curious. There's no argument from my end as to which is better. Just a respectful question and trying to gain some insight as to why people prefer one way or another.

Thanks - James

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:08 pm Post subject:

Neither-- I finish it full gloss, then rub it back to take off the "glitter-effect", and leave a softer luster, as opposed to a hard, glaring shine. I don't think it is a matte finish at all, but definitely not signal-mirror-shiny.
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ctviolin · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:31 pm Post subject:

And with me I will say that it depends on which finish I'm doing.

On a standard violin with no antiquing - I'm pretty much with George (oops, sorry - I mean Chet) - if the varnish leaves a high gloss, it gets removed with taking the finish down and then is finished with one grit or another grit of surface "finish" (as in rottenstone, pumice, etc)
So becomes a dull gloss, or "soft luster".

On an antiqued instrument, there is a mixture of - from high gloss, to no varnish at all - only a matt undercoat. And pretty much everything in between.
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kubasa · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 212

I guess I do the same as both of you and end up with more of a semi gloss finish or soft luster. Recently I saw a completely matte finish violin. I'm somewhat torn as to whether I liked that look or not. Part of me really liked it but the other part of me thought it looked unfinished but that's just me and my half baked opinion. I haven't come to a final conclusion but it got me thinking about it.

My wife really likes the fresh varnish shiny look but I like to knock it down a little. I think there are opinions and preferences all over the board and I respect that. Also, what might look good on one instrument might not look good on another. Now, I'm starting to think out loud which probably isn't a good thing since it has been an extremely busy week and my mind is shot....need some rest so I'll stop here.

ctviolin · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:32 am Post subject:

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

the June/July 2013 issues of Strad magazine have excellent 2 part "how to" articles about antiquing techniques for those that are interested.

after stressing and wearing the varnish the instruments are overpolished to look very much like so many of the old masters.

If you like that kind of look, its very pretty and shiny, but in a subtle and complex kind of way.

ctviolin · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:16 am Post subject:

Well, yes.
I agree.
And stressing the finish today (which is just a term - the finish isn't really "stressed" but simply controlled in a specific manner) in order to produce a finish that looks like an old finish, well, it's just another one of many roads that are already there that you can travel along if you would like to.
Though many people have a dislike of doing it, as if it was a cop out somehow (like that 60's term - "cop out" ?) it is simply just another method of finishing.
Any outright dislike of a particular finishing style is (to me) sort of like a particularly held religious belief.

In other words it's ok to think , but everyone isn't going to buy into it as a personal limitation. Why would they? I love antiquing violins - to me it's simply another venue to explore.
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ctviolin · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:18 am Post subject:

Hey!

Not only that, but I can say that I'm acquiring a certain antique look myself...

Such is life huh?
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kubasa · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 212

DonLeister · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:50 pm Post subject:

You'd think it would be simple , glossy or not so glossy. ( Smile

I like how gloss brings out a saturated look, or wet look and adds to a sense of depth. It can look cheap or hard or plasticky though.
I find some varnishes are better at manipulating once they cure. What I mean by that is if I try to take off some of the gloss with abrasives or steel wool , then they can be more or less difficult to make look the way I want them to.

The recipe I'm using currently comes out pretty shiny but is fragile enough that I can knock back the gloss with about anything, steel wool, tripoli, ... and polish it up a little with my fingers or a paper towel to make it shine up a bit. It reminds me of the magister sealer if anyone has ever used that, lots of resin and not so much oil.
I'm finding that it is a bit chippy so I need to try softening it some with some mastic.

L P Reedy · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:13 pm Post subject:

I leave my varnish as is these days. I apply very thin coats, which seem to show the wood texture without bubbles or runs and so appear sort of shiny but not polished, if that makes sense. I do a quick rub out between coats with a very fine and well-used foam-backed 3M abrasive of some sort, then don't touch the final coat. I like the result OK, but you might not.

fjodor · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2013 Posts: 60

I do the same as L.P. reedy. The oldwood varnish I have used seems to level well and it is rather soft so the new shininess disappears fairkly qquickly.