Can I mix gloss & semi-gloss varnish?

[Frank Langer]

Hi,

I want to refinish the teak and holly cabin sole. I did a light sanding and applied two coats of semi-gloss varnish in the spring. It turned out pretty well, but looks slightly more opaque than I would like, due to the semi-gloss; it almost looks like a satin finish.

I don't want to use just high gloss as I think it would be too shiny and might also be slippery when wet.

So I am thinking of doing a light sanding and then applying a 50/50 mix of clear high gloss varnish and semi-gloss varnish. Is there any reason that this wouldn't work, ie. any incompatibility that would keep the two from mixing together properly? I don't want a streaky finish.

Thanks for any comments on this.

Frank

 

[Lucky Dog]

Same brand...no problem. I regularly in building furniture apply 5 coats gloss and the 2 of satin. This gives a rich depth and knock the gloss shin down.

ml

 

[mherrcat]

I put three coats of Pettit Captains Varnish and one top coat of Interlux Satin on my V-berth panel. I like the darker amber color of the Pettit, but they don't seem to make a satin version. This gave me a nice clear build with the color I like. You could also try several coats of clear and then rub it out to knock off the gloss, but that might be too much work.

 

[Frank Langer]

Mark, thanks for your reply. I've heard the term "rub it out" before, but have no idea how one does that. Can you explain the process?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[tenders]

"Rubbing out" has various meanings, not all of them couth, but in this case I belive it means "lightly sand with very fine sandpaper, perhaps the finest wetsand grit you can find."

 

[Frank Langer]

Thanks, Tenders. I have some 1500 grit wet-sand paper -- would that be fine enough to do the job without the cabin sole looking like it's been sanded?

Frank

 

[mherrcat]

Do a Google search for "rubbing out a finish" and you'll find lots of articles. It usually starts with very fine sandpaper and then moves on to 0000 steel wool with a lubricant.