So how do I varnish these louvres?

[Cheechako]

I would use the cheap china bristle brushes. The ones that are like $.79. 1" wide.

1)Varnish with a very low brush load, and just do more coats instead of trying to load up the brush.
2) Varnish from each side
3) Then use a nearly dry brush for one more swipe on each side to reduce any runs

My guess is trying to spray in there will cause runs as bad as anything because of the turbulence in those slots..

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by japawil

I would use a 1-1/2” tapered angled sash brush. I would recommend Purdy or Wooster.

I've been using the Purdy XL sash brushes. Definitely recommend

[Cadence]

I'd crank up a compressor and blow them.

[Bill Seal]

Maybe use an air brush with thinned varnish?
Our Formosa is loaded with them, and I'd like someone else to be the guinea pig.

[jmschmidt]

Good job Pete. Hope you get paid for this.

[Martkimwat]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Pete, if there are members who feel the need to add unacceptable expletives to a simple question such as this then I would humbly suggest that perhaps the membership requires the editing.

Amen to that...

[Martkimwat]

I've never had a problem varnishing louvres like those, though to be truthful, it is a bit of a pain, just needs some patience and as someone else on here said, do both sides at the same time so as to maintain a wet edge as it were and then do the frame last to clean up any over painting onto the frame. It's awkward but do-able.use a smallish brush, say a 2" also a good quality brush that has good varnish holding capability. Strangely I have always had better results with a good fat brush (good quality oval headed), sparingly loaded, rather than a thin brush which runs out of varnish too quickly.

[Ken Z]

a easy way ;use spar varnish in a spray can. It greatly reduces the runs of a brush, unless your good with a brush. Make a pass then release the button on the can and do another run, adjust your spray travel to not pool up the varnish to eliminate runs and drips. Sand lightly with 220 grit between coats, I would do 3 coats mim.

[Hardhead]

That's also the kind of project where it pays to keep staring at it for about 10 minutes after finishing. There's always that 1 run that came out of nowhere...

[kmacdonald]

Foam brush. It's also the best for roll and tip of two part paints. Just make sure you use a foam brush that doesn't melt in the paint. The stiffer the better also.

[bailsout]

I always use Cheap China Bristle brushes and use them over and over; that seems to be the best way to work out the loose bristles as you get to your final coats, and your not throwing away plastic for one time use. My doors unhinge easily and are usually stored below in non-threatening weather. The best advice I can give you is to find a way to keep your varnish covered. Varnish lasts a long time that way! I also have and regularly use my full boat cover. You can also make snap-on or Velcro covers for your louvers and at least protect those slats.

[Captndave1]

Ditto to the Preval, I prefer to apply varnish with this system.

[zemurray]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Zee Murray,
Beg to differ - the slot is half the width of a foamy, and using just the edge, sideways, leaves half the slat un-coated. If I forced the brush in, I’m going to have huge gobs of varnish from squeezing.....

That’s why I’m looking for ideas

Matt

Lots of good suggestions on this thread, but just to answer your post I’ve done this exact thing with a foam brush. I pushed in there a bit with the brush not too soaked and what extra had run out I was easily able to smooth up with lighter brush strokes. Now this was in an interior with danish oil, so perhaps the thinner mixture and satin finish helped. My foam brush was probably a size smaller than your pic.

[redsky49]

A quality foam brush (not Chinese) will work just fine
As an alternative, a good quality bristle brush will also work. My louvered doors look very similar. I did this with a foam brush. Excuse the dust, but finish came out fine.

[redsky49]

Whoops! Moderator please rotate pic quarter turn clockwise.