Interlux Y333/1 Brushing Liquid 333 - Gallon

I was varnishing red oak with Interlux Poly Clear. Didn’t use it on first few coats, but after three heavy coats I still had wood grain texture. So I sanded with 320 to level, then applied the last two coats but this time added the brushing liquid and what a difference!! Smooth as glass, just what I wanted, all the texture gone. You can still see all the beautiful oak texture through the varnish but it’s smooth as a baby’s bottom to the touch.

This product does not act like a normal thinner.I followed the instructions and applied the 1st coat of Schooner Gold varnish thinned 50% with the Interlux #333 thinner. That coat of varnish did not want to dry. It was still sticky after 24 hours. Interlux tech service (he called back very quickly) suggested that I lightly sand or steel wool the surface to tear open the film that had formed on the top surface of the varnish. That worked for the flat areas but not the routed moulding on the door. It was too thick in those crevices. There I had to use small detailing brass and plastic brushes; a plastic scraper, and working off and on for 6 hours while the door sat in the sun during an 85°F May afternoon to get the excess removed.The Interlux #333 thinner's label states that it "is a slow drying solvent" and "extends the drying"; no joke! I had to wait 48 hours (including 6 hours in the hot Texas sun) for the thinned varnish to dry before applying the next coat of varnish.The 2nd and 3rd coats were 100% varnish and they dried well but rough surface. I found that the 100% Schooner Gold dried in 1/3 to 1/2 the time of the varnish thinned with #333. The 4th coat I diluted 25% with normal mineral spirits and it gave a much smoother surface. I did a few test pieces and settled on a 50% dilution with mineral spirits using a foam brush for the 5th and final coating. The cheep foam brush did better than the expensive Purdy. This is what you see in the photo.I also used the Interlux #333 to thin the Schooner Gold varnish for a Wash Coat before staining and the Interstain per the instructions. I did not have any drying problems but on both situations the liquid was ~75% Interlux #333 thinner and the stain was wiped off after a few minutes.I am happy with the final finish. I just wish that following the instruction with the Interlux #333 thinner did not cause me the problems that I experienced.I worked in chemical plants/refineries for 35 years and this stuff has a really bad odor. I am glad I had a good twin canister organic vapor respirator.

Thinning did cause my foam roller to sew bubbles all over the place, but they pop easier. 1 part polyurethane paint is spongy and weak so it's essential you follow the directions to apply insanely thin coats. This thinner makes that easy. The smell is intense.. must be good.

great product

If you found this product you probably already know why you need it. Varnish isn't applied initially to a prepared wood surface at 100% varnish, you cut it with the recommended amount, this is the stuff to use with interlux varnish products. read your label to double check the ratio. it took about three coats to get a flawless finish on my oars and other parts.

Bought to use with Interlux Brightsides 1 part paint. Didnt research if there was a cheaper option that would work though.

Need this to dilute interlux bright side in hot temperatures.

All good