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If you need to filter an old can of varnish, polyurethane, or other clear finish for a small touch up job, you could pour the whole thing through a filter and make a mess… But, there’s a better way.
This is a tip from Don Mathis of Macomb, IL. Instead of pouring the varnish through a filter, Don puts a filter in the can. He takes multiple layers of cheesecloth and lowers them into the can of varnish. The varnish comes up through the cheesecloth and filters itself. Now he’s got filtered varnish, ready for any small finishing project.
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Any suggestions on how to cleanly remove a small amount of varnish from a can without having to pour out over the can edge? I sometimes need a small amount, (3 or 4 oz), which needs to be thinned.
steal the wife's turkey baster?.......
small measuring cups dipped into the can?.....
just don't let the lady catch you or maybe ask if she has a spare
This might help filtering out rust. A couple of cans of water based varnish and and one can of latex paint have corroded the lip of the can.
For small amounts of paint/varnish from a typical quart can I use a 3Oz Solo or similar bathroom paper cup to dip it out of the can.
For filtering, it is awkward to use cheesecloth (who really has any in the shop?). Rather, it is far easier to buzz down to your autobody supply shop and pick up the nifty conical filters and a holder for them. Spend maybe $10 or so.
Let the paint/varnish drin into your mixing/dispensing container, set the paint/varnish can under the filter and let the dip cup residue drain back into the can before recapping it.
It pays to organize your paint facility into a smooth well supplied operation and keep it all stored correctly in its own cabinet or shelf. Makes the work go much faster and and your projects will look much better.
New paint cans are available from Sherwin-Williams, others to keep your supplies clean and useful.
JKB
Forget about cheesecloth. Snag an old pair of your wife's tights (pantie hose ?)
Great suggestions here, Very helpful
BENJAMIN RAUCHER