Shabby Chic; Volume III

chalkysoil

Seakay wrote: »

could the particular tin you used be faulty?
Every description I've read emphasises the clear aspect, and on the product website it specifically says it won't darken wood
http://www.ronseal.co.uk/products/outdoor-varnish

perhaps you should contact the company to double check?

I emailed them after midnight, but I'm not too hopeful as I also read a review on Amazon where someone said it was not clear. Various other things I dabbed - an easel went from light brown to medium dark wood, a bit of white paper is like tea stained colour and some grey chalk paint went from light to dark. Quite annoying as it's so expensive and I was planning on varnishing a load of garden furniture that I painted blue and won't suit a brown tinge over it. I think on wood one would just think it was wood coloured but different. The "colour sample" box on their website is white - it should be brown/caramel.

just found this review too
"
poor
Overall Rating

1out of5





Bymsg .
03 November 2010.
said on the tin CLEAR satin but it was a horrible yellow colour when used on the door, it looked like a smokers den, we had to remove it and use paint

emma_kate

chalkysoil wrote: »

Ronseal Outdoor Varnish CLEAR SATIN 750ml

Anyone else used this?

I bought this as clear. I was a bit concerned to see the varnish was dark brown in the tin but assumed something would happen in use, the way the milky indoor varnish becomes clear.

I have tonight coated a cream painted wooden item which has turned BROWN.

Any advice on a clear matt or satin waterproof varnish that really is clear. I expect things to darken but it's coffee coloured now.

Most outdoor varnishes are OIL based and yes they willl darken your surface. And they will also continue to yellow with age.

If you want clear to be clear you should look for a WATER based (quick drying ) varnish. These look cloudy until dry.

If you're unsure about whether a product is oil or water based, look at the clean up instructions. Water based is soap and water. Oil based is white spirit/ thinners etc...

Sounds bad if it's actually brown. I do hope your project isn't ruined.

jumblejack

I'm fuming for you, chalky soil >:-(

After all the hard work, time and cost involved restoring furniture to get it sullied due to a product that does NOT say what it does on the tin.

jumblejack

http://m.pinterest.com/pin/425168021041731611/
I picked up a table at tea time yesterday.
Look what I've done to it already :j

Yay!

chalkysoil

I've had a reply from Ronseal

I am sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction but would like to explain a few details on the container, which you may have overlooked.
Ronseal Outdoor Varnish is a UV resistant Solvent based coating, solvent based varnishes tend to a natural mellowing effect on the wood as the resins they are made from are an amber shade. This can be observed on opening the tin. We do actually highlight the fact that the product produces a mellow finish in the section what sort of finish is achieved? It is described here as a rich mellow finish, which enhances the beauty of the wood grain. We also state that under 'How to achieve best results' previously painted surfaces must be completely stripped before application. Although you are a little unhappy with the finish I hope you will find it reassuring to know that the mellowing effect provides a good level of UV resistance which will extend the life of the wood. unfortunately the appearance will not change.

I regret that we do not produce any varnishes suitable for use over paints. You could try an Arts Craft store such as Hobbycraft as I believe they sell varnishes suitable for use over paints or polyvine who produce a varnish that can go over paints. Hope this helps.

===========================================

I wanted a waterproof varnish, but have yet to notice a non oil based one on the shelves. I knew it would yellow over time, knew it would darken somewhat, but I did not expect this.

Possibly if using over red/orange/brown/black it might be usable.

I usually use Wilko quickdry waterbased varnish and it's a great product, but not weatherproof outside after a few months of winter (it's not supposed to be).

The search goes on.

emma_kate

chalkysoil wrote: »

I've had a reply from Ronseal

I am sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction but would like to explain a few details on the container, which you may have overlooked.
Ronseal Outdoor Varnish is a UV resistant Solvent based coating, solvent based varnishes tend to a natural mellowing effect on the wood as the resins they are made from are an amber shade. This can be observed on opening the tin. We do actually highlight the fact that the product produces a mellow finish in the section what sort of finish is achieved? It is described here as a rich mellow finish, which enhances the beauty of the wood grain. We also state that under 'How to achieve best results' previously painted surfaces must be completely stripped before application. Although you are a little unhappy with the finish I hope you will find it reassuring to know that the mellowing effect provides a good level of UV resistance which will extend the life of the wood. unfortunately the appearance will not change.

I regret that we do not produce any varnishes suitable for use over paints. You could try an Arts Craft store such as Hobbycraft as I believe they sell varnishes suitable for use over paints or polyvine who produce a varnish that can go over paints. Hope this helps.

===========================================

I wanted a waterproof varnish, but have yet to notice a non oil based one on the shelves. I knew it would yellow over time, knew it would darken somewhat, but I did not expect this.

Possibly if using over red/orange/brown/black it might be usable.

I usually use Wilko quickdry waterbased varnish and it's a great product, but not weatherproof outside after a few months of winter (it's not supposed to be).

The search goes on.

Very frustrating for you. So RICH MELLOW FINISH = DIRTY BROWN? That's not clear then is it?
What about yacht varnish?
Other exterior varnishes might be less brown...
Wilkinsons are very good at taking things back...

chalkysoil

I'm not bothered about the cost of the tin, if I don't use it someone else will, it's the principle. I just sent another email to them

I am perplexed and would like to mention the dictionary definition of "Clear". This product is transparent but brown, very similar to the colour in the picture on your tin above the box Clear Satin in large letters. Other varnishes I have purchased labelled as "clear" are indeed clear. Yellowing over time is acceptable on an exterior item, not within seconds.

Definition of clear in Oxford dictionaries

• easy to perceive, understand, or interpret:clear and precise directions
• having or feeling no doubt or confusion:

(of a substance) transparent; unclouded:the clear glass of the French windows a stream of clear water

chalkysoil

a reply

Thank you for your reply. However, it is only water based products that will not alter colour of the wood. All exterior products have to have UV inhibitors in them to provide adequate protection. The word Clear is used widely throughout the manufacturing industry and if you can see the wood through the coating it is classed as clear. I am sorry that you feel perplexed but feel that we do provide adequate information on the tin.


so glad the double glazed window industry don't take the same line.

:mad: :rotfl:

an example of


Ronseal Clear - wooden box isn't varnished - tray base is -

lobbyludd

hi - after some advice - I have aquired a chair with a woven back (sort of like woven string - it isn't wicker/rattan or lloyd loom) which has a fair bit of give in it when it's sat on (not stretch, but it's not stiff).

The previous owner has spray painted gold, which hasn't worn well (going green in places) and is not my style, and I'd like to paint over but I've no idea what to use? I don't think ASCP would be a good idea as waxing would be a nightmare (or would it?) and varnishing over would be too stiff, plus I prefer a low shine finish.

has anyone used a matt spray paint on a fabric surface with give in it? do I need to treat the "gold" finish at all, or is there another way that I haven't thought of?

It also need reupholstering as the seat is a velvet covered hair-stuffed pad, they've sprayed the hessian backing gold as well which has degraded the hessian and it's split - and I'm fine with doing that, it's just how to sort out the "woven" bit.

emma_kate

chalkysoil wrote: »

a reply

Thank you for your reply. However, it is only water based products that will not alter colour of the wood. All exterior products have to have UV inhibitors in them to provide adequate protection. The word Clear is used widely throughout the manufacturing industry and if you can see the wood through the coating it is classed as clear. I am sorry that you feel perplexed but feel that we do provide adequate information on the tin.


so glad the double glazed window industry don't take the same line.

:mad: :rotfl:

an example of


Ronseal Clear - wooden box isn't varnished - tray base is -

It's like a tinted glaze. Not unnatractive! But if you're not wanting that look, it's annoying. It's a huge difference.

So they mean 'clear' as 'transparent'. Not devoid of colour.
Not good.

Funny what you said about the double glazing industry. We had an appalling job done by Safestyle UK who fitted us TINTED windows that we were not expecting nor wanted. They're clear on the inside and darker on the outside, My lace curtains look dirty from outside! They said that was what we'd agreed to! Grrr.
That was only the tip of the iceberg with them...avoid at all costs!