I have recently moved into my first home and knew there were hardwoods beneath the old carpet so I tore up the bedrooms and hallway first. After discovering that the carpet padding appeared to have melted down to the floor (it was not glued and I live in Texas) I had to scrap it down and then sand down the floors. It turned out to be much more intensive than I had thought but turned out great....but! I had quite a bit of difficulty applying varnish (the part I thought would be rather simple!). The first coat went on well because I could easily see where I was and what was done. The second coat went on terrible and the third coat slightly better. On the last coat I finally used a wool skin applicator with much better results so I was pretty happy when finished. One key note is that on the fourth coat I finished the floor with MinWax Super Fast Drying Satin (slightly darker than the Fast Drying) finish instead of the Fast Drying Satin Finish I had used. My questions are:

1) There is one spot that is along the door frame and base trim where I apparently missed applying the final coat (a slightly darker coat remember!) and I am wondering if I have any options other than an entire 5th coat?

2) The other spot that I am unhappy with is a spot where there is a drip mark the size of a quarter. Is this something I will have to live with if I do not do a second coat?


I have become surprisingly frustated with this varnishing stage because everything thing I read and watch makes it seem so simple and straight forward. One thing I have noticed is that most videos you watch are applying the first coat of finish which is much easier to see than the subsequent coats! That is my biggest problem....identifying where I am!? I do have movable construction light that helps a very small bit. I am just curious what some of the other tricks for the later coats are.


Thanks for any help it is greatly appreciated!

coat in natural lighting is best.

work systematically form opposite side of room towards exit( no brainer)

only work in sections 3x the width of the applicator so you can easily reach, see drips or laps and feather them off properly


do 3 passes one way from middle of room towards one side, then turn and fill in the other direction.

then take the applicator and run full courses from one side to the other just to lightly go over each pass and smooth it out out.

then let it sit..

if you approach it somewhat organized and systematically...with careful attention it will be fine.

I hope you sanded between coats