Varnish Maintenance Coat (Annual Maintenance)

Note: Varnish is a multi-day process. Each coat requires full drying time to ensure a flawless, long-lasting finish.

For well-maintained brightwork that needs an annual refresh, no peeling, flaking, or bare wood.

This quick service keeps your existing varnish healthy by adding protection before damage starts. It’s ideal for customers already on a seasonal maintenance schedule and helps extend the life of the full build-up without sanding to bare wood.

Step 1: We wipe down all varnished surfaces to remove salt, dust, and light grime.

Step 2: We mask off all surrounding surfaces to protect adjacent finishes and ensure crisp, clean varnish lines.

Step 3: We lightly scuff-sand with 400 grit to create mechanical adhesion.

Step 4: We apply 2 coats of Epifanes Clear Varnish using foam brushes for clean, controlled flow. Each coat must dry for a full 24 hours before the next is applied. Before sanding or recoating, we confirm the surface is completely hardened. If the sandpaper gums, we wait another 24 hours.

Standard drying time (un-thinned, full-strength):
• 24 hours at 65°F–75°F with 50% humidity
• Surface must be fully dry and hard, not just tack-free

Step 5: Once all coats have been applied and dried, we return, inspect all surfaces for runs, misses, or nibs and perform light touch-ups as needed. Then clean up the masking.

Products Used:
• Epifanes Clear Varnish
• 400 grit sandpaper
• Foam brushes
• Microfiber towels
• Masking tape

Pricing:
• $14 per linear foot (trim, rails, handholds)
• $30 per square foot (flat surfaces)
• Travel billed at $110/hour
• Materials billed at cost
• Final estimate provided after inspection