: Hello All;

: I've read the accounts of builders who build plastic tents, plastic awnings,
: water mist the work area, and go through all manner of "dust
: elimination" before applying varnish to their creation. I have done
: the same when applying lacquer to my project cars.

: Since I was applying my varnish to my kayak with a rag (my favorite means as
: readers of this board probably know by now), I decided to try the first
: coat without any area preparation - This means the sawdust and powder and
: newspapers and junk would litter the garage in depths up to 1/4" deep
: in the corners. I felt any dust would be sanded off in subsequent stages,
: no big deal.

: I did, however, prep my work like anyone should - Mineral spirit wash, tack
: rag before applying varnish. To my amazement, the finish dried absolutely
: dust free. I left the garage door 1/2 open, a nice breeze was blowing in,
: but the dust stayed on the floor and off the work. Conclusions: It is
: probably more helpful to clean the finish surface of dust than the floor.
: I did not use a tack rag before applying epoxy, and had lots of
: (ultimately inconsequential) dust in every surface I finished. I assumed
: it was airborn. Now I know better. Windy day, dirty garage, open door,
: perfect varnish first coat. Don't neglect the tack rag at this stage, even
: if you intend to sand and buff the final coat as I do. The pic below is
: after the first rag-coat of varnish has been applied to the hull - several
: more to go.

: Hope this helps someone, Spidey

I would think that perhaps the dustfree coat has more to do with the thin layer of varnish that is applied via rag vs what is normally done with roller/brush. The thinner layer can dry quickly and thus provide less time for dust to settle from the air and get trapped in the tacky surface.

Just my thought. a good experiment would be to clean a standard piece of plywood or scrap whatever like you normally do, and varnish it in your garage, using wipe on rag method on one half and roller or brush or both on the other half to see which works better for your area. i think it has to do more with drying time that your surface prep idea. I think most of us (me atleast, prep surface with a tack rag and solvent). I would like to hear the results of this.

thanks, pete czerpak albany, NY