I remember a post from a while back that wiping with acetone will do the same thing - strip the outer layer of oils. But that post was a response to how to get epoxy to adhere to teak. Perhaps the same will work for varnish.

Ross

: David,

: The oils in the wood are what is messing up your varnish job. Clean all of
: the sticky crackly varnish off, and resand the cocobolo. Take it outside
: and wipe it down very thoroughly with fiberglass wash (the stuff with the
: big skull and crossbones on the front of the package), this should remove
: the oils from the surface. Wait for the fiberglass to evaporate (don't
: breath or touch the stuff), then revarnish as soon as possible. This MAY
: work, it did for me but there was still on small tacky area in the varnish
: after a few days.

: Hope it works for you,
: Mike