Bee Varnish Test Results
And Finally.....
Test sample: Cherry Sapwood, 1" x 12" x 2", unstained.
First coat of bee varnish thinned 30%; dried to sanding in about 3 hours.
Sanded with 150 grit, vacuumed.
Second coat thinned 30%; dried to sanding in about 3 hours.
Sanded with 220 grit, vacuumed and lightly tack clothed.
Third coat, thinned 15%; dried for 14 hours before water test.
Finish coat is clear, slightly golden. Smooth/silky almost waxy feel to touch. Very, very faint honey aroma. (LOVE IT !!!)
Cherry blank submerged for 40 minutes.
Appearance: No change.
Clarity: No change
Sheen: No change
Texture: No change
Weight: No change
Impact test: 35 lb strike with steel meat tenderizer: Indentations slightly bruised, finish adhesion: Intact, no chip out.
Water test on Impact area: Submerged for 40 minutes: No change.
The judges have decided to stain all the wood with a light washcoat of stain and varnish with 3 coats of Bee Varnish.
I got my materials from the marvelous Dale Pryzbyl, WoodFinishing Enterprises, 1729 N. 68th St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2307
Phone: 414-774-1724 email:
woodfin@wi.rr.com He's got a nice online catalog too. No pictures but really interesting materials no one ever hears about. He is a wealth of information and a good guy to boot.