Gloss varnish with matte appearance

I need some help please. I have Monocel timber varnish (gloss) and it just won't gloss, I went to the shop I bought it from and they said I need to stir it longer. I've tried a variety of different things such as mixing longer, applying with spray gun, brush, speedy pad, thinning it with turps and applying at different times of day in case temperature was a factor, but nothing works, I still get a matte appearance with 1 or 2 glossy spots. This is the first time I've used Monocel, my preferred varnish is no longer sold at my local paint store, I don't think the problem is timber related because I've had the same results on oak, mahogany, a real dark brown wood I think could be walnut and another unknown wood type (was trying to finish a few things at the same time).
I've emailed the manufacturer to ask for advice and gave them the batch number in case the product is at fault, but I've had no reply.

Please give me any advice/suggestions on how to stop getting a matte finish.

You seem to have done all the right things.
Usually there is 2 main reasons for lack of gloss and they are air temperature too low or damp air (high humidity/low temperature) causes "blushing".

A matting paste is added to the mix to cut down on the level of gloss. It may be a miss labelled can? Only the manufacturer can help you there.

Best of luck (very frustrating, I'll bet)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chambezio

It may be a miss labelled can? Only the manufacturer can help you there.

---

I've been wondering if the can may be mislabelled. I might just send the manufacturer another email.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chambezio

(very frustrating, I'll bet)

---

You have no idea. :gaah:

Thanks for your reply.

Hi DOgm4,

How many coats are you applying? And to what grit did you sand the timber to before adding the Varnish?
It's possible that you need to take the sanding up to 4-600 to get a good surface for this particular varnish. Also, you may find that sanding back between coats and reapplying several coats this way will bring up the gloss. Just a thought.

Regards,

Rob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LGS

Hi DOgm4,

How many coats are you applying? And to what grit did you sand the timber to before adding the Varnish?
It's possible that you need to take the sanding up to 4-600 to get a good surface for this particular varnish. Also, you may find that sanding back between coats and reapplying several coats this way will bring up the gloss. Just a thought.

Regards,

Rob

---

Hi Rob,

Since I've been trying different solutions to get the gloss finish I'm up to 8 coats, after 24hr dry time I've sanded back each coat with 240. When the timber was bare I sanded it 180, 240, 320 and 400, then for first coat I added 25% turps as per manf. instructions. Normally I would only apply 3 coats.

Thanks for your reply.

Is there any cloudiness in the mix when it is stirred or is it dead clear?

Full gloss should be clear where a mat or semi will have some cloudiness to it.

Kinda sounds to me like you have a miss labelled tin.

As a final thought... Not trying to be a smart, but are you sure you are adding mineral turpentine to the mix and not something else by mistake. This includes pure or gum turpentine which may not be suitable.

Cheers - Neil :U

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ubeaut

Is there any cloudiness in the mix when it is stirred or is it dead clear?

Full gloss should be clear where a mat or semi will have some cloudiness to it.

---

As a matter of fact, it does go cloudy when mixed. I didn't think anything of it, especially when the shop assistant said thorough mixing is required because all the "goodies" are at the bottom.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ubeaut

Kinda sounds to me like you have a miss labelled tin.

---

I'm convinced of this now. I emailed the manufacturer again yesterday but may have to use snail mail.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ubeaut

As a final thought... Not trying to be a smart, but are you sure you are adding mineral turpentine to the mix and not something else by mistake. This includes pure or gum turpentine which may not be suitable.

Cheers - Neil :U

---

I use Diggers mineral turps. I didn't know there was a pure or gum turps so I've learned something new.

Thanks for your reply.

I have a new question still related to this topic. Can I go out and buy a new can of gloss (different brand) and apply it directly over the Monocel varnish or would I need to sand right back to bare timber again? Can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive replacement brand? I used to use Wattyl Estapol but that's no longer stocked and I don't want to run the risk of getting another mislabelled/faulty product.

Thanks.

If you didn't use "pure turps" to thin (that will kill the gloss) the you have a faulty or mislabeled can take it back for an exchange.
PS yes you can go over what you have ,just give it a light sand as normal

Thanks for all your replies. Unfortunately I've misplaced my receipt and I can't pinpoint the exact day I bought the varnish, so the store doesn't want to go through an entire week's worth of eft-pos transactions looking for mine. I guess that's understandable.

If I don't stir the varnish, will I be able to get a gloss finish that way?