Varnishes

Chris Unknown Asked 16 years ago

I've been wondering about table tennis varnishes and lacquers. Is it a permanent thing? I mean, when I apply it to the surface, do I have to apply it another time in the future if it wears out? Cos also my blades wood veneers have been peeling slightly. I don't know, but is it possible to use regular wood furniture varnishes? I've heard that my coach and some of my friends, despite having speed glue, they have tried using some kind of bicycle tyre puncture repair glue as a substitute for the regular speed glue they use. I know that repair glue was originally the starter for the speed glue, but I was wondering if the blades performance would be affected by regular wood furniture varnish. And one more thing, does permanent marker signatures on blade surfaces wear out? I was wondering if varnishes help preserve them. Thanks and sorry for the numerous amount of questions. Chris.

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Hi Chris,

The varnish doesn't tend to wear out very easily.

In the past I have used regular wood furniture varnishes to good effect.

Permanent marker signatures tend to last along long time.  You may want to varnish it to preserve it more though.  Perhaps somenone has done this and can let us know.  The varnish soemtimes makes it more difficult to stick the rubber down.

The bicycle tyre glues have some very harmful chemicals in them.

Don't forget though that speed glues are now banned. This may alter this whole conversation.