Varnish Strip, Sand & Stack (Full Restoration)

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

For brightwork that’s peeling, flaking, greyed out, or fully failed—this is the full reset.

We take the wood down to bare teak and rebuild the varnish layer by layer for a deep, glassy finish that resists UV, moisture, and wear.

Step 1: We mask off all surrounding surfaces to protect adjacent finishes and ensure crisp, clean varnish lines.

Step 2: We fully remove all old varnish using heat guns and scrapers to expose clean, bare wood.

Step 3: We sand each surface in four distinct passes using a progressive grit sequence: starting with 80 grit to remove residual varnish and damaged wood fibers, followed by 120 grit to flatten and smooth the surface, then 220 grit to refine the grain, and finishing with 400 grit to create a clean, smooth base for varnish adhesion. Between each sanding pass, we vacuum thoroughly and wipe the surface with tack cloths to remove dust and prevent grit contamination. Before moving on, we inspect for surface uniformity and clean grain transitions.

Step 4: We apply three build coats of Epifanes Clear Varnish, thinned 50/50 with Epifanes Thinner, to saturate the grain and establish a strong base layer. 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: After build coats are fully cured, we scuff-sand the surface with 400 grit and clean thoroughly.

Step 6: We apply 3 full 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.

Step 7: Once all coats have been applied and dried, we return to inspect all surfaces for gloss consistency, grain fill, clean edges, and surface clarity. Any imperfections are corrected, and masking is removed.

Products Used:
• Epifanes Clear Varnish
• Epifanes Thinner for brushing
• Heat guns
• Scrapers
• 80, 120, 220, and 400 grit sandpaper
• Tack cloths
• Foam brushes
• Microfiber towels
• Masking tape

Pricing:
• $28 per linear foot (trim, rails, handholds)
• $50 per square foot (flat surfaces)
• Travel billed at $110/hour
• Materials billed at cost
• Final estimate provided after inspection