Have you considered swinging a dead badger around by the tail and using the dead cat to apply varnish? After all, there has to be some good/valid use for cats.

: Craig - With all due respect, I find that getting a good (never mind
: outstanding) varnish finish with a brush is impossible. I have put on
: upwards of a total of 30 coats of Captain's varnish on the various boats I
: have built. I have used rollers, china bristle, foam, and genuine badger
: hair brushes. I have thinned 10%; I have put it on right out of the can. I
: never shake the can, and only touch the brush lightly to the side of the
: can after dipping it. I have considered swinging a dead cat around my head
: three times at midnight in the local cemetary during a full moon to
: possibly get the touch. All I get is bubbles. Millions and millions of
: tiny bubbles that never break, only harden. I know they are bubbles,
: 'cause I looked at several under a high powered magnifier. I wind up
: scraping off the hardened bubbles, wet sanding, and ultimately rubbing out
: the finish like it was a restored Corvette. One of these days I may try
: spraying, but Lord knows what new messes I would get...... -John