Violin Forum/Message Board

[actonern]

Precious old violins are typically valued even more where they have, as the Hills would put it, "escaped the polisher's cloth."

But for those that want to over coat an instrument on purpose what techniques do you use?

Straight shellac with dabs of mineral oil applied in the French manner?

I'd be interested in what others do.

Best regards,

E

[Mat Roop]

I use what I call a varnish rub. Use an oil based violin varnish of the appropriate color rub it in and then immediately wipe it off with a lint free rag. It will clean up all the minor scuff marks and scratches without looking like a recoat. When I say I wipe it off I mean I wipe it all off .. like polish it off.
If varnish is missing, then that has to be replaced by dry brushing.
Cheers, Mat