: Im new to varnish. Yesterday afternoon I put on the first coat. ~95 degrees
: and 60% humidity in a barn. There are some drippings. I tried to sand the
: dripping and my paper got gummed. the varnish was still soft. I tried
: sanding the smooth parts and the paper agained gummed. I was using 220 at
: first then 120 grit. same results. Should I give it another day to dry? Or
: is this normal?

The first coat of varnish, or likely any finish, usually takes longer to cure because it is interacting with
the epoxy which takes weeks to totally cure.

Some varnishes will work better with a given epoxy formula. Did you find out if the varnish you are using is compatable with the epoxy you used?

If your epoxy is not totally cured and the varnish you used is not compatable, the varnish may never cure.

Give the varnish another day to cure. If it still clogs your sandpaper it will never cure.

Don't worry if this is the case. Remove the uncured varnish with alcohol and meduim /course steel
wool. This is fast and easy. Wipe it clean with alcohol. Wet sand it and varnish with the right stuff.

All the best,
Rob