Theres many recipes of violin varnish.

Heres a popular one :

100 g of white shellac
100 g of Rosin
50 g of Castor Oil
20 g of Siam Benzoin (optional)
1 liter of Denatured alcohol
Dissolve the shellac and the Rosin in 1 liter of denatured alcohol. Add the Castor Oil once the resins
are completely dissolved. The Siam Benzoin is optional, it will enhance the sheen of the varnish and
provide a permanent odor.
Its possible to add to this varnish preparation some Gamboge to color the varnish with a nice
golden yellow. Its also possible to add some ultra penetrating stain to color the varnish, 30 ml / L.
Shellac can be replaced with an equal quantity of Canada Balsam or with some Venice Turpentine,
this will enhance the clarity of the sheen while improving its resistance. The shellac can also be
replaced with another dewaxed shellac.
In a transparent glass recipient, pour the Denatured Alcohol and add the shellac. Stir the recipient to
mix the shellac. Stir from time to time to avoid the shellac from sticking together.
To realize a sealant :
Dissolve 100 g of shellac in 1 liter of Denatured Alcohol. Its recommended to use a dewaxed
shellac.
To create an easy varnish :
Dissolve 150 g of shellac in 1 liter of Denatured Alcohol.
To create a regular varnish :
Dissolve 200 g of shellac in 1 liter of Denatured Alcohol.
To create a strong varnish :
Dissolve 300 g of shellac in 1 liter of Denatured Alcohol.
Store your shellac preparation in a dark glass recipient away from any light source and your dry
shellac in its original package.
Easy French polish recipe
Ingredients :
175 g of Shellac, preferably dewaxed shellac.
1 liter of Denatured Alcohol
Preparation :
Its recommended to prepare a slightly thicker varnish, while using, it will be possible to add some
alcohol to the pad. Its also possible to lower the quantity of shellac and to replace it with a resin
like Sandarac or Siam Benzoin. This will enhance either the sheen or the hardness of the varnish.
In a container or a bottle, pour more or less 1 liter of Denatured Alcohol and add the shellac. Stir the
container until complete dissolution of the shellac.
If you use a waxed shellac, after a few days, the varnish will separate, the wax will deposit in the
bottom of the container and you simply need to collect the clear and limpid part.
The Gesso has to be applied warm and indoor only.
Ingredients :
100 g of Rabbit Skin Glue

1 Liter of cold water

1 kg of Whiting powder
For a more economical Gesso, replace the Rabbit Skin Glue with some already prepared Fish Glue.
Add some lukewarm water to lighten the Fish Glue.
Glue preparation :
In 1 liter of cold water, add 100 g of Rabbit Skin Glue grains (let swell for 12 hours), heat in a
Bain-Marie while stirring with a wooden spoon (ideal temperature is 40 to 50 C), the glue must
not boil.
Conservation :
15 days in the refrigerator maximum.
Gesso preparation :
In 1 liter of warm Rabbit Skin Glue, add up to 1 kg of Whiting powder.
Traditional Gesso is perfect to use on bad condition woodwork and furniture.
Application :
Apply a thin coat of neutral skin glue or colorless fish glue. Once dry, apply using a paintbrush the
traditional Gesso using as many coats necessary, let dry for 2 hours. Then sand down using a 220
grit paper to even the surface.
Heres an easy wax recipe to prepare that offer good water resistance, a lot of flexibility and
superior sheen.
It can be applied directly on wood or on oil, shellac or varnish finish.
Ingredients :
Carnauba Wax : 25 g
Candelilla Wax : 25 g
Bleached Beeswax : 100 g (can also be replaced with 100 g of Microcrystalline Wax)
Double Boiled Linseed Oil : 25 ml
Odorless Thinner : 700 ml
Citrus Solvent : 75 ml
In a metallic container, warm the thinner and the solvent in a Bain-Marie. Add the three waxes and
let melt. Add the Linseed Oil and mix well. The use of more or less of thinner will soften the wax
and facilitate the application. Once all the ingredients are entirely dissolved, pour into a container
and cool down. Using the Odorless Thinner and the Citrus Solvent will create an almost odorless
wax, leaving you with a slight citrus odor.
Apply using a polishing cotton in very thin layer. Let dry for 12 to 24 hours and polish up using a
polishing brush. This wax is more resistant to water and less fragile than the commercial waxes. For
maintenance, apply a thin coat of wax and let dry for 12 to 24 hours. Then polish using a brush or a
wool rag.
Ingredients :
1/2 liter of warm water
100 g of pure bleached beeswax
60 g of Marseille Soap in pieces
60 g of Potassium Carbonate
Preparation : Heat the wax (low heat), then add the warm water and the Potassium Carbonate. Let

boil and stir constantly. Then add the pieces of soap and stop the heat. Stir constantly until the soap
is completely mixed. Apply using a paintbrush. Spread evenly to avoid white mark that could be left
by the soap.
As a follow-up to this method which has previously been posted to our Forums, here is a more
advanced technique which will allow you to give an antique finish look with Buttermilk or Milk
paint. This technique is more advanced, but will give you more freedom to choose among many
finishing options.

1: Surface preparation

Sand the area to be painted with a 120 grit sandpaper;

Round the edges with a plane, a spokeshave or sandpaper;
Make small depressions on the wood surface with a small wire brush;
Create a worn, damaged look with the help of a chisel, keys or other tools. Add decades to
your wood, let your imagination flow!

2: Background stain (optional)

You can use a translucent background stain that will show when the paint is worn, and will
give the impression of aged wood;
Any dyeing product can be used, but the most popular solution is a coat of diluted Walnut
Stain (100 g / Liter of water), which dries quickly and gives a beautiful aged wood shade;
If the walnut stain is used, it can be sealed with a thin coat of shellac or diluted water based
varnish (2 part varnish to 1 part water ) for optimal results, although this is not necessary.
The sealant coat must be thin so as not to prevent the adhesion of the next paint coat.

3: Anti-Adhesion medium Application

To make things simpler when the times come to give a worn effect over the buttermilk or
milk paint, we must be able to see the wood. This is why we need to use a product which
will prevent the adhesion of paint on strategic spots on the surface where we want to chip
the paint and create a worn effect. You can either choose between water-based varnish,
shellac, wax, or oil;
The choice of anti-adhesion medium must be based on the final protection that will be
applied to the surface, since the two products must be compatible. See the compatibility
table below for further information (Click on image).

4: First paint coat

Apply the first coat of paint respecting the orientation of the wood grain, with a color of
your choosing. Refer to the pictures below if you need some inspiration;
A hair dryer can be used to speed up the drying process.

5: Crackling medium application

The application of gum arabic, from the acacia tree (100% vegetal) will help us to create
cracks on the second coat of paint;
Mix one part water for one part gum arabic powder. Mix by gradually adding the powder in
the water until smooth and apply the mix on the first coat of Milk paint.

6: Second paint coat

Once the gum arabic mix has dried but is still a little sticky, apply the second coat of paint
(different color);
Once again, you can speed up the drying process with the help of a hair dryer, which will
also help to crack the paint more efficiently.

7: Worn effect
Once dry, the paint must be sanded to make it smooth. You can use either a 220 grit
sandpaper, a scraper or a cloth moistened with warm water;
Sand/Scrape in strategic spots to bring out either the first coat of paint or the background
stain (or natural wood color, if you have not used any stain).

8 : Finishing
It's time to choose the product which will make our aging patina. Before you choose, its
important to take into account the final layer of protection that best suits your projects
surface. Do you want to finish with wax or varnish? Look at the compatibility table below
(Click on the image).
Do not hesitate to let us know if you have any question or comments regarding this method!
Here is a simple and popular method which will allow you to give an antique finish look to
furniture, shelves or other surfaces with the help of Buttermilk or Milk Paint. You can also use this
more advanced method if you want more control or options, but it involves more work.

Sand the whole surface with 120 grit sand paper;

Apply a coat of diluted Walnut Stain (100 g / Liter of water);
Let dry, then apply neutral Carbamex Wax where you'll want to see the walnut color;
Apply a first coat of white milk or buttermilk paint;
Let dry, then apply neutral Carbamex Wax where you'll want to see either the walnut color,
or the white layer of paint;
Let dry, then apply a coat of Fort York Red paint (to get a similar result as the images
below);
Let dry, then chip the paint by scrubbing with a 100 grit Siavlies abrasive pad on the spots
where the Carbamex wax was previously applied to reveal either the Walnut stain or the first
coat of white paint;
Sand the whole surface using a 220 grit sandpaper;
Apply an Antic Dark Carbamex wax.

Do not hesitate to let us know if you have any question or comments regarding this method!

Benzoin Resin, (Styrax Benzoin), .

9.80
Also known as gum Benjamin and gum benzoin the Benzoin Resin is actually not exactly a
gum. It is used in incense making, flavouring, perfumes and for medicinal purposes. A native of
Java, Sumatra and Siam, this is also called Siam benzoin or Sumatra benzoin.
It has a sweet, vanilla-like smell, which makes it popular in China, India, Japan and many Arab
countries as incense sticks. It is used in aromatherapy for all respiratory related conditions including
cough, influenza and colds.

The Benzoin Resin possesses antiseptic, diuretic and expectorant properties. It is quickly absorbed
when taken internally and acts as a carminative. It is very effective for treating congestion in
bronchitis, asthma and laryngitis as well as allergies. It is known to melt away congestion with ease
providing quick relief. It is most effective when inhaled along with steam as a tincture of Benzoin.
It is also used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Benzoin Resin is beneficial for blood circulation, regulating heart beat and toning the heart. Applied
externally it provides relief for a number of skin problems such as itching, eczema, redness and
irritation.
The Benzoin Resin is recommended for external use only.