Fiddlover Blogs

Violin varnishing plays a crucial role in the instrument's appearance and sound. Different varnish formulas offer unique qualities, from transparency to durability. This article outlines several common varnish recipes, helping violin makers choose the best option for their needs.

Alcohol-Based Varnishes

Rosin Alcohol Varnish

1. Ingredients: 50g of 42% rosin alcohol solution, 25g of 36% benzoin alcohol solution, and 6g of castor oil.
2. Method: Dissolve the resin solution completely and then filter and clarify it. Castor oil should be added last. This varnish creates a transparent film that makes the wood grain appear clearer than with linseed oil, but it requires exposure to sunlight to dry.

Purple Root Varnish

1. Ingredients: 12g of 42% rosin alcohol solution, 2g of castor oil, and 2g of purple root.
2. Method: Let the mixture sit for 4 days, then filter out a clear red liquid. This varnish has the characteristics of alcohol varnishes, being difficult to apply smoothly and with uneven color tones. The resulting varnish is reddish-brown and will not fade.

Shellac Methanol Varnish

1. Ingredients: 60g of shellac flakes, 60g of rosin, 15g of damar resin, dissolved in 240ml of methanol, with a small amount of Venice turpentine added.
2. This varnish provides a transparent finish, suitable for those seeking clarity in the final coat.

Shellac Alcohol Varnish

1. Ingredients: 30g of shellac flakes dissolved in 120 ml of anhydrous alcohol, 10g of rosin dissolved in 40 ml of anhydrous alcohol, and approximately 8ml (5%) of oxidized turpentine or Venice turpentine.
2. If the varnish becomes sticky in hot and humid conditions, the amount of oxidized turpentine and rosin can be reduced.

Oil-Based Varnishes

Rosin Oil Varnish

1. Ingredients: 25g of 41% rosin turpentine solution and 10g of linseed oil.
2. Method: Mix the rosin turpentine solution with linseed oil and let it sit for about two weeks. Once the sediment has formed, it can be used as a bright varnish. The varnish remains stable in the solution, and drying takes about 3-4 days under normal conditions. Sunlight or UV exposure can speed up the drying process.

Rosin Clear Varnish

1. Ingredients: 6g of rosin and 3g of copal resin, dissolved in 20ml of turpentine. Once mixed, add 10ml of linseed oil.
2. This varnish is suitable for those needing a transparent finish.

Copal Resin Clear Varnish

1. Ingredients: 10g of copal resin dissolved in 20 ml of butanol, with 10 ml of turpentine and 5 ml of linseed oil.
2. The varnish provides a good transparent finish, ideal for colored or clear varnish needs.

Copal Resin Oil Varnish

1. Ingredients: 30g of copal resin and 10g of rosin, dissolved in 40ml of turpentine and 20ml of linseed oil.
2. This varnish offers a warm color, making it suitable for those seeking an oil-based, pigmented varnish.

Rosin Oil Varnish

1. Ingredients: 25g of premium rosin, 50g of turpentine essence, and 25g of linseed oil.
2. Method: The mixture forms an amber-colored solution, and if the varnish is too thin, the amount of turpentine essence can be reduced. The varnish can be applied thinly without dripping, and drying typically takes 4-5 days. Sun exposure accelerates drying, resulting in a transparent film.

Resin Oil Varnish

1. Ingredients: One part refined linseed oil, heated to a slightly viscous state; one part resin (or a combination of resins) that can be dissolved in turpentine, heated to a liquid form.
2. Method: Add the hot linseed oil to the resin mixture and continue heating until the varnish can form threads of about 30 cm in length. Allow the mixture to cool before adding turpentine to adjust the consistency. For better brush ability, small amounts of clove oil or rosin water can be added. This process should be done outdoors because the materials are highly flammable when heated.

Beeswax Varnishes

Beeswax Clear Varnish

Ingredients: 4 parts beeswax and 1 part Venice turpentine, dissolved in anhydrous alcohol.

Method: After dissolving the ingredients, filter out the clear liquid. Heat the filtered liquid in a water bath to evaporate the alcohol, resulting in a paste-like substance. Since turpentine is not easily soluble in beeswax, it should first be diluted with lavender oil, and then adjusted with turpentine to achieve the desired consistency. The varnish has a golden amber color, and when red madder resin acid metal salts are added, it transforms into a red varnish. The particles of colorants suspended in the varnish reflect light, creating a sparkling effect that causes the varnish film to shift between golden yellow, orange-red, and red hues.

Beeswax Colored Varnish

Ingredients: 30g of beeswax, 20g of Venice turpentine (treated with quicklime) or 20g of sandarac resin, 15g of powdered madder root, 10g of turmeric powder, and 100ml of anhydrous alcohol.

Method: Place all the ingredients in a beaker and heat them in a water bath until dissolved. Then add 30ml of 15% alum solution to turn the madder root yellow. Heat the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring continuously, and filter it while hot. The residue can be washed with 25ml of alcohol and then filtered again. Combine the filtered liquid and heat it in a water bath to evaporate the alcohol, resulting in a paste-like consistency. Once cooled, remove any impurities that float to the surface, dilute with lavender oil first, and then use turpentine to adjust to the desired consistency for application.

Nitrocellulose Varnish

Ingredients: 15g of nitrocellulose, 10g of rosin glycerol acetate (ester resin), 10ml of phosphoric acid diisopropyl toluene acetate, 30ml of acetic acid acetate, and 10ml of butanol.

Mix the ingredients to make a colorless nitrocellulose varnish. If 2g of red madder resin acid zinc is added, the varnish becomes red. Ester resin and rosin acid metal salts, both derived from rosin, have compatible chemical properties, making them easy to dissolve together. If a darker color is desired, the amount of red madder resin acid metal salt can be increased.