Rockhard Table Top Varnish, Quart

Comments about Rockhard Table Top Varnish, Quart :

I was very excited to use this product on my kitchen table. I have two little boys and wanted a finish that would take years of their abuse. I loved how the finish went on and how easy it was to use. I noticed the small bubbles that another reviewer mentioned, but thinning helped. The can said that it was slightly yellow and I know that varnish adds a yellowish hue. However, on my light table top, it was just way too yellow for my tastes. Had it been made of walnut or another dark/stained wood, I don't think it would have been so much of a problem. Removing it took a belt sander showing me just how strong the finish is.

Comments about Rockhard Table Top Varnish, Quart :

I HAVE USED THIS PRODUCT FOR YEARS AND IT ALWAYS GIVES A PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL AND HARD FINISH. i BUILD RUSTIC CEDAR FURNITURE AND THIS PRODUCT LETS ALL THE COLOR AND BEAUTY OF THE WOOD SHOW,BUT AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTS THE LUMBER FROM NEARLY EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY THROW AT IT.IT IS EASY TO USE AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE CAN.THE ONLY THING I THAT IS NOT SO GREAT IS THE SHELF LIFE ONCE EXPOSED TO AIR.ANY PRODUCT LEFT OVER WILL GEL AND HARDEN IN THE CAN.I HAVE SEALED IT PROPERLY IN THE ORIGINAL CAN,PLACED BOTH IN A SEALED BAG AND IN LARGER CAN,THINED IT DOWN FOR STORAGE ALL WITH THE SAME RESULT,IT GELS TO THE POINT THAT IT CANOT BE USED.MY SOLUTIONIS IS TO BUY PINT CANS SO YOU HAVE JUST ENOUGH FOR YOUR PROJECT.ALWAYS COMBINE THIS WITH ROCK HARD REDUCER FOR A GREAT FINISH.DANNY.

Comments about Rockhard Table Top Varnish, Quart :

I had never used varnish before so this was a learning experience for me. The product worked as claimed, the problems I had were my inexperience. When buying this varnish you need to get their thinner as well. The manufacture says other thinner may/will not work. Thinning does help the varnish flow better. You can use mineral thinner for clean up. The use of a good brush is a must also. Polyester/nylon brushes did not seem to work well for me. It did polish up great. I got all of my rubbing compound and polish from a automotive paint store.

Comments about Rockhard Table Top Varnish, Quart :

I refinished an old family oak table with Candlelight stain and Rockhard finish. I followed most of the finish directions exactly, after stripping with Soygel and sanding out to 320. I did NOT, however, apply a filler because there were some blemishes in the wood I wanted to keep visible (a lot of memories around this table.) I put down 5 coats by brush, starting with the 50/50 thinned coat (which is essential as it turns out), sanded 400 between coats, and it still did not completely flow out. I used 25% thinner for a couple of the final coats to get better flow and still didn't get it perfect. The filler would likely solve this problem of the grain being too prominent in the finish (for oak anyway.) Had to compromise there, though. It looks fantastic otherwise, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a high gloss finish that requires no rubbing out. It cleans up best with Xylol, so don't waste the Behlen thinner cleaning brushes! Oh, and some Bloxygen would keep the film from forming inside the can. If you're not in the habit of doing so, you WILL DEFINITELY need to pour this through a filter every time or you'll have specks throughout the finish. It is not forgiving of poor brush technique, either, smooth and steady, wet edge, and feather-light tipping off immediately because it sets up enough in a few minutes that you'll ruin it otherwise. Another little problem was tiny little air bubbles forming about 30 minutes after coating (not the foaming kind from vigorous mixing), if I just gently popped them right then it was OK. I figured it might have been something from the wood at first, but it happened on every coat. Thus, the four stars.