Try warming the varnish before you brush it in a bucket of hot tap water (only warm enough of it for the coat you are currently working on). The warmed varnish flows on thinner, and thickens as it cools on the surface of the boat - leaving fewer sags and runs.

Don't overdo it on the warming - it tends to drive off the volatile solvents more quickly. You will also find that if the can of varnish has previously been opened, it may need a bit of thinning before it will brush on without runs - the longer a can has remained opened the less solvent remaining, and the thicker it brushes on - too thick and you get runs....

good luck.

PS I've sprayed varnish with good luck, but find that brushing a boat gives as good results with much less skill required. If you haven't much experience spraying, you can easily have a big mess. In addition, the cleanup with spray equipment adds much time, so don't be misled into thinking spaying is faster.

> Does anyone have any experience shooting varnish through an airless
> sprayer? Seams like it would be easier to control sags and runs. Opinions?
> Zax