: I plan on doing a lot of varnishing this year, and I thought that I would buy
: a gallon of varnish since it is more economical. But I know that once I
: open the container up, it will start to skim over. I was wondering if I
: were to put the varnish in pint or quart sized jars, and fill them to the
: top if that would stop the skimming, and I would then just open a
: container when it was needed. Any thoughts on this? Thanks, Pamela

I have tried every method of dealing with paint can sealing and pouring and keeping the air from drying out the varnish. I’ve never had consistent luck with sealing paint can lids, keeping the lip clean and turning them upside down without leaking. If your varnish is not fresh, clean and scum free everything else is a waste of time.

I now recant my new varnish in quart mason jars with separate lids and screw rings. The mason jar allows me to pour varnish without the lid mess of a paint can. I wipe the jar lip with a paper towel after pouring so the lid won’t stick. By using the separate lids and screw rings of the mason jar I don’t have to worry about not being able to get a lid off if I missed some varnish on the jar lip. I can always pry the lid off and use a new one if needed. I pour varnish into the bottom of a half gallon plastic milk carton. This size carton accommodates my 4” foam brush. Any used varnish gets poured back into the jar unless it is contaminated somehow. Before closing my jar lid I blow propane gas from my small shop torch into the jar to displace air to keep the varnish from skimming over.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com