Historical Society of Early American Decoration

Waterlox Antique Gloss Varnish Information

Waterlox Antique Gloss Varnish is available from HSEAD.  It may be purchased at our Annual Membership Meeting in the Spring (Sturbridge, MA ’08) and at our Annual Workshop Meeting in September in Killington, VT.   Minimum purchase is one gallon.  Empty pint containers from Waterlox will be available for purchase to those buying a gallon or more of varnish.  (HSEAD's minimum purchase from Waterlox of this special recipe is 100 gallons.)  Contact the office in Cooperstown, NY for further information.  This product is available to HSEAD members only.  (Please Note:  The 10%  members' discount  does not apply to this promotion.)

            Waterlox Antique Gloss Varnish is the varnish of choice for many of the Society’s painters.  It has the highest percentage of tung oil, an important ingredient that makes it possible to withstand the sanding and hand-rubbed finish that members of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration (HSEAD) have been taught and encouraged to do on our painted tinware reproductions.  Waterlox Antique Varnish is used for most of the Society’s categories and painting techniques.

            Yes, there are substitutes, but they have drawbacks.  Other choices of varnish are a lighter weight and thus there is the risk of breaking through their surface and damaging the design and pattern beneath.  Some of the marine varnishes contain chemicals meant to protect surfaces from sun and salt water; they are not truly compatible with our metallic powders and may cause problems over time.

            Waterlox Antique Gloss Varnish is truly the wisest choice because it is the most compatible with most of the painted decorative art that is reproduced by HSEAD.  It has a proven integrity and has been used by many of our members since 1947 when the Society was established. When you consider the amount of preparation, effort and cost of materials that one puts into producing this historically authentic artwork, it makes sense to choose the best varnish, one that does not put at risk hours of labor.

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