- 2067 Chaitra · 2 marks
Short note: Varnish
Short answer
Varnish is a resin solution in oil/solvent, drying to a transparent, glossy film. It is used on wood and over paint for protection, and differs from paint by containing no pigment.
Write a short note on varnish.
Varnish is a homogeneous solution of a resin (natural: shellac, copal, amber, rosin; or synthetic) in a drying oil and/or a volatile solvent like turpentine or alcohol. It contains no pigment. After application, the solvent evaporates and the oil dries by oxidation to leave a transparent, glossy, hard protective film.
- Types: oil varnish (resin in linseed oil + turpentine, slow-drying, durable), spirit varnish (shellac in alcohol, quick-drying), water varnish.
- Constituents: resin, drying oil, thinner, and drier.
- Uses: coating wooden furniture, doors, floors and instruments; over paint to give gloss and protection. It brings out the natural grain of wood.
- Difference from paint: varnish is transparent (no pigment) while paint is opaque and coloured.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)