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Double Bass How much oil varnish for a db?

Joshua Phelps

Joshua Phelps

Feb 22, 2011
199
0
Memphis
#1
I Have a double bass I'm about to varnish & was curious if any one knew roughly about how much oil varnish I should get for the job. Also, I was planning on buying from international violin. Is there a better place to buy oil varnish? This is your standard maple back & sides w/ spruce top 3/4 size db.
 
#2
Joshua,

Have you searched the forum for threads on this? There is a wealth of information that would be invaluable to someone on their first refin job- to include some very beginner friendly products.

I refinished a bass last year. I spent many months researching- here on TB, at libraries, and pestering anyone and everyone for advice. I have moderate woodworking and finishing skills, I had an expert hold my hand through the entire procedure- and it was still a MAJOR PITA!!! :D

The most important advice I can pass along to you is this: It's all in the wood prep! You can be the most skilled person on the planet at applying varnish, and the job will look like CRAP if your wood prep isn't meticulous.

Good luck! You'll learn a lot!

Also, I hope the bass isn't of particular value...just sayin...

Respectfully,

Joe
 
#3
No it's just some old bass I found at a garage sale the tag inside says something like "Abraham Prescott"?

Haha ok bad joke, it's not a Prescott it's just some old Romanian number.

But seriously though out of that whole long message you could have listed how much varnish you used? 1 pint 2 pints jeez :)
 
#5
Ah, I was trying to avoid that you see- for several reasons.

First- I actually didn't use varnish! :ninja:

Second- It took two and a half attempts to get a finish that I would feel good enough about to leave the house with! The joke is that it is "finish 2.5" lol!

It's a real bad feeling you get- after all the research, all the prep all the work of laying the finish on- to look at the "completed" project and determine that it just wasn't good enough!

Of course, you also feel like, "Okay- NOW I'm good at it...so let's take another crack at it..."

So, the "long short" of it is, I really don't know how much finish we used, but it was...a lot more than we thought we would use! lol!

I don't have a digital camera- if/when I can get ahold of one I will PM you some pics of what the bass looks like now- it actually turned out great!

Joe
 
#7
Joshua Phelps said:
Thanks jazzdog. That stuff sure is pricy & I know one pint will do the job but I also know if I only get one pint I'm gonna need more haha. I'm gonna get 2 to be safe.
Click to expand...

With very few exceptions, I usually thin the first coat 40%-50% to encourage penetration, and to make it easier to sand the surface flat & fair after the first coat. I typically thin the remaining coats ~20% to enable the finish to flow out and self level.

There's a lot of rudimentary information about finishing and preparing to finish included in the link below my signature.

Good luck!
 
#10
DC Bass said:
Ah, I was trying to avoid that you see- for several reasons.

First- I actually didn't use varnish! :ninja:

Second- It took two and a half attempts to get a finish that I would feel good enough about to leave the house with! The joke is that it is "finish 2.5" lol!

It's a real bad feeling you get- after all the research, all the prep all the work of laying the finish on- to look at the "completed" project and determine that it just wasn't good enough!

Joe
Click to expand...

...which is why I went for the "rustic" look with my bass, ha ha:)

I felt 0 pressure to get the finish right, and it came out pretty nice with just Formby's and oil color.

I'm not suggesting this approach to everyone, but it did exactly what I wanted it to do for me.

George
 
#11
Joshua Phelps said:
Is oil varnish safe to use indoors without a mask?
Click to expand...

Yes. Unless you suffer from chemical sensitivities. Opening the windows to increase air circulation helps provide fresh air for you to breath and helps the finish cure. I put a box fan in an open window to exhaust the indoor air outdoors without stirring up dust.
 
#12
Jazzdogg said:
Yes. Unless you suffer from chemical sensitivities. Opening the windows to increase air circulation helps provide fresh air for you to breath and helps the finish cure. I put a box fan in an open window to exhaust the indoor air outdoors without stirring up dust.
Click to expand...

I disagree. You never want to work with chemicals like varnish in a closed room. Even when working outside you can get a lot of vapor exposure since you are so close to the brushed surface. Why mess with it, just play it safe and use a good respirator.
 
#13
powerbass said:
I disagree. You never want to work with chemicals like varnish in a closed room. Even when working outside you can get a lot of vapor exposure since you are so close to the brushed surface. Why mess with it, just play it safe and use a good respirator.
Click to expand...

Who said anything about applying finishes in a closed room?

I've been finishing wood for more than 40 years, and I've never experienced any problems applying oil-based varnish with a brush indoors with the windows open and a box fan exhausting air outdoors. Today's water-borne finishes are even safer.

Spraying is something else entirely. But, I don't spray oil-based varnish.

If you want to wear an organic respirator, gloves, and a full face shield, that's entirely up to you.
 

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