Azt gondolom, hogy az egyik legjobb mester jelenleg! I think he is one of the best masters at the moment! Humble attitude, great expertise! Nice to see you at work. Greetings from Hungary! :)
Thank you for teaching me, and the world how to Varnish a violin. And it's amazing you have a drying chamber for the violin, that is so cool. I give this video a thumbs up.👍🎼🎶🎵🎶🎻
I have actually been looking into that kit for a while now. Now that I know it's the way to go, as far as varnishing for beginners, I will definitely grab it when the time comes. Thank you Maestro. A touch up repair video would be great in the future.
Hello Kimon! Thank you for making all these videos. I’ve been watching them for the last three years, it’s actually when I got into violin making. Right now I’m working on my third one and this time I wanted to use a “real” varnish. After watching this video I decided to use Joha bar. I wanted to ask you what approximate amount of milliliters of varnish I would need for one violin, how much transparent and colour varnish. Also, from your experience, could you please tell me if it’s ok adding some extra colourant to the Joha colour varnish to be able to use less coats for getting good colour? Thank you and have a nice day!
Very good job Maestro Kimon. I have used similar procedure on my projects, but only by searching for individual products. The idea of a single source kit with instructions makes a logical choice for beginners. Also, the gelatin helps the finish to have a more even color over all areas of the wood, regardless of different densities of the exposed wood due to grain orientation at the surface. Would it be possible to see the violin that you built to finish your formal apprenticeship? Have you changer your building technique significantly since then? Thank you.
Absolutely gorgeous instrument !!!! Wow !!!! Thank You so very much for showing this product and this beautiful violin . If you would , could you let the price if the violin be known . I happen to love that " defect " in the wood :)
Thank you for your kind words. Please send me an e-mail (info@maestrokimon.com), I will let you know the price of the violin as soon as it is finished.
I loved the review, very informative! I will definitly buy that for my first violin! Will this package be enough for more than one violin, or does some of the products have to be refilled?
Hello Salmaren. The primer and coating are definitely enough for at least 2 instruments. The colored varnish is more than enough for one instrument but I'm not sure if it is also for two. You could start order an extra small container of the same colored varnish.
Kimon, I am building my first violin and is turning out very nice. I also followed your instructions and built my own drying chamber. I know you used the chamber 4 hours on the colored varnish and then let it air dry 2 or 3 days. Why not keep it in the chamber 2 or 3 days with fan and light on?
Well, I asked a bit late. I am finished with all my colored layers of golden brown. I cannot send a photo or I would show you my results. I still have 2 clear protective layers to apply.
I used the sprit varnish kit from Hammerl. It is very difficult to get an even coat of the coloured varnish over the light top. It dries so quickly brush marks show. I have painted and sprayed things for 40 years but this is the trickiest varnish to use. Thoughts?
Thanks for this video. I'm a lutemaker and have been using Hammerl varnishes for a long time. Can you tell us how you store your brushes? I have never had any success in storing them dry, however clean they seem to be, and have always kept them hanging in white spirit. Am I missing something?
Hey there Kimon, thank you for the video. I will also be appraching the stage of varnishing in near future and am thinking about this assortment and I have a question - ist this assortment enough for only one violin or is there enough of everything for more?
I'm starting to varnish my first violin tomorrow. You mentioned you put 7 or 8 layers of coloured varnish on. How long did you leave each coat to dry in the chamber? And at the end, when you finished up with vanishing and had to leave it for 2-4 weeks to fully dry, did you use the chamber at all? Or did you just leave it to air dry? Thank you very much!
I put the instrument for about 4 hours in the chamber and let it for two extra days out of the chamber. For the last couple layers even 3 or 4 days. During the 2 to 4 weeks after I didn't use the chamber anymore. Just in an open space.
Hi Maestro, I have a question about wood quality as it relates to the light/dark effect you point out on the back of this instrument. I am trying to understand this so I can avoid it happening in my first instrument. Is this effect caused by "runout" in the grain when the two pieces of maple are bookmatched? If so, is it possible to tell if this will be an issue when the wood is first being prepared? Thank you!
This light-dark effect is caused but a twisted growth of the tree. It is very hard to impossible to see on a piece of wood before use and you can't do anything about it later. The best way to avoid it is by buying wood the is split but this is the most expensive wood! (did you also send me an e-mail with this question?)
Thank you for another great video. I have a question. The first coat you applied, you called it a gelatin coat. Was this to seal the grain of the wood?
The first layer was indeed gelatin. It is the same gelatin use in the kitchen. Its purpose is indeed to seal the wood so that the oil varnish doesn't penetrate to deep.
Great video as are all of your videos. I have a question that I can't seem to find a good answer for. anywhere. Why is the neck not varnished and what do you so with this part to protect it?
Thank you so much for your kind words! The neck of the violin (as the neck of every other stringed instrument like guitar, viola da gamba ect) isn't varnished because the varnish (that originally was always a natural varnish, oil based or alcohol based) got solved by the heat of the hand wile playing the instrument. The result was that the player got all the varnish on his hands!!! In this kit you find a product called Grip Polish, for the neck but I haven;t used it. I always use cooked linseed oil apllied with a piece of steel wol. Works perfectly as it smooths the neck very nice, gives a bit of shine and as oil pushes humidity of it protects the neck.
Hello Kimon, thank you for the video. I tried this varnish kit, and had a very difficult time with the colored varnish. It became sticky very quickly, and it was not possible for me to get a smooth even finish. Within minutes or even seconds, if I went over an area to try and even out the varnish, it made it worse. From your experience, did you find that the varnish started drying this quickly? Maybe it's possible to add a retarding agent to slow the drying process. Because they recommend such a long drying time, I didn't expect this.
I see your problem. The varnish dries quiet fast. As soon as you have applied a layer and are going forward you cant go back again. I will make a smal video on how I varnish a cello so you can have a look. You will have to be patient thou, I need some time!
@@maestrokimon No problem, thank you for the reply. You are absolutely correct, there's no going back after you apply the varnish! After replying initially, I noticed a reply from Debra, and her comment that she added some linseed oil to increase the dry time. I tried this, and ended up mixing 4 parts colored varnish to 1 part boiled linseed oil, and I'm very happy with the results. That mixture allows me to do one side completely and even go over the surface a final time to smooth it out with just a slight of tackiness at the very end. Ribs and scroll work out just fine as well. It also dries pretty well in 24 hours, but I'm sure the boiled linseed oil does extend the final cure time. Will be building your UV drying chamber next! Thank you!
I would store it. Try not to make to mush and discard the rest. If you think that you will use it within a couple of days that the fridge will do the job.
Hello maestro, Love your videos and thank you for sharing your knowledge. I bought the same package of joha that in you video, i want to do the last coat matte and not glossy, which product can i use?
Thank you for the great video. I have just finished building my first violin. For the varnish, I purchased the JO.HA oil varnish and ran into trouble. The varnish set too quickly to blend nicely on the belly and back. Blending the top portion on the violin was fine but by the time I got past the f holes it was sticky and drying too fast. Any advice?
I think I recognizer that. You have to varnish the top and back it 3 stages, uper mid en low part. In this way you can blend the parts together. But don't go from the last part back to the first one anymore.
Look out when adding something to your varnish. In this case the linseed oil could dty slower than the rest of the varnish creating crackle. You can always send an email to Joha with your questions.
I just replied similarly before I read your comment. I had the exact same experience and was very surprised given the expected drying time. I've only used spirit varnish before, and that's also a challenge as it dries very quickly, but expected. I was not expecting the same from an oil varnish. The primer went on smoothly and evenly and I never felt the brush trying to stick or carry the varnish.
@@tidewaterred I mixed 4 parts colored varnish to 1 part boiled linseed oil and was very pleased with the results. However, this is only speaking from the initial use and results. Long term could there be issues? Sure, but they seem to be compatible. I'm just banking on a little longer cure time. 24 hours is enough for the coat to dry and lightly sand or use the rottenstone and recoat.
I look at all your videos. I’m a varnish and guitar finisher. I use new Technology clears for today’s finishing. I make the violin sound amazing today y wait 100 years. I can make it happen sound amazing today. Thank you again for your videos. I both what you have. I like it. Make a violín I’ll finish it for you for free. Have to hear the sound.
Thanks! I wondered about the quality of that kit. www.internationalviolin.com/ProductDetail/10163a_joha-large-assortment-varnish-kit-amber. I’m thinking about making a violin. I’ve never made an instrument before. I thought buying a ready made violin might be a good way to get introduced to finishing and setup.
I think that this is the kit I used. Having an instrument is a good way to see and compare. Don't but a very poor made violin, so you won't take over the mistakes!
Once again you have done a wonderful job. You are the best Violin instructor on RUclips. Thank you again.... I look forward to your next video.
Thank you so much for your kind words Carl!
Azt gondolom, hogy az egyik legjobb mester jelenleg! I think he is one of the best masters at the moment! Humble attitude, great expertise! Nice to see you at work. Greetings from Hungary! :)
Thank you so much for your kind comment! My greetings from Holland!
A wonderful transformation. Such excellent craftsmanship, Maestro. You made an in expensive violin look like very fine. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Here in New York City Saturday November 30 9:22 p.m. Barnes and Noble 17th Street trying to learn how to Varnish a violin thank you for the lesson.
Thank you for teaching me, and the world how to Varnish a violin. And it's amazing you have a drying chamber for the violin, that is so cool. I give this video a thumbs up.👍🎼🎶🎵🎶🎻
Thank you for your kind words Marco!
I have actually been looking into that kit for a while now. Now that I know it's the way to go, as far as varnishing for beginners, I will definitely grab it when the time comes. Thank you Maestro. A touch up repair video would be great in the future.
Let me know about your experience with the varnish as soon as you use it, Joe.
Thank you very much for showing how to Varnish a violin, it was very informative. What type of bulb have you used in your drying chamber please.
Hello Kimon! Thank you for making all these videos. I’ve been watching them for the last three years, it’s actually when I got into violin making. Right now I’m working on my third one and this time I wanted to use a “real” varnish. After watching this video I decided to use Joha bar. I wanted to ask you what approximate amount of milliliters of varnish I would need for one violin, how much transparent and colour varnish. Also, from your experience, could you please tell me if it’s ok adding some extra colourant to the Joha colour varnish to be able to use less coats for getting good colour?
Thank you and have a nice day!
Thank you so much maestro! Excellent job. Greeting from Serbia :-)
Thank you for your kind words Dér Zsolt! My greetings to Serbia!
Very good job Maestro Kimon.
I have used similar procedure on my projects, but only by searching for individual products. The idea of a single source kit with instructions makes a logical choice for beginners. Also, the gelatin helps the finish to have a more even color over all areas of the wood, regardless of different densities of the exposed wood due to grain orientation at the surface.
Would it be possible to see the violin that you built to finish your formal apprenticeship? Have you changer your building technique significantly since then? Thank you.
Absolutely gorgeous instrument !!!! Wow !!!! Thank You so very much for showing this product and this beautiful violin . If you would , could you let the price if the violin be known . I happen to love that " defect " in the wood :)
Thank you for your kind words. Please send me an e-mail (info@maestrokimon.com), I will let you know the price of the violin as soon as it is finished.
I loved the review, very informative! I will definitly buy that for my first violin! Will this package be enough for more than one violin, or does some of the products have to be refilled?
Hello Salmaren. The primer and coating are definitely enough for at least 2 instruments. The colored varnish is more than enough for one instrument but I'm not sure if it is also for two. You could start order an extra small container of the same colored varnish.
I purchased the exact same kit and wait to try it when I finish my first violin..
Let me know what you think about it!
Kimon, I am building my first violin and is turning out very nice. I also followed your instructions and built my own drying chamber. I know you used the chamber 4 hours on the colored varnish and then let it air dry 2 or 3 days. Why not keep it in the chamber 2 or 3 days with fan and light on?
Hello David. The UV light tends to fade the color on the long term. That's why I prefer not to keep the instrument so long in the chamber.
Well, I asked a bit late. I am finished with all my colored layers of golden brown. I cannot send a photo or I would show you my results. I still have 2 clear protective layers to apply.
Here comes your newest fan, busy body old lady. Would using a tack cloth keep your varnishes cleaner?
I think that it would scratch the varnish.
I used the sprit varnish kit from Hammerl. It is very difficult to get an even coat of the coloured varnish over the light top. It dries so quickly brush marks show. I have painted and sprayed things for 40 years but this is the trickiest varnish to use. Thoughts?
Welcome to the world of alcohol varnish! I totally recognize your struggle. What you describe is the difficult part of using alcohol based varnish.
Hi, how long did you leave the violin between coats of the colour and clear?
Thanks Paddy
I wait one day between layers at the beginning and later on I go to 2 days. Take your time!
Thank You from a new subscriber...Your videos have been very educational!
Thank you for subscribing and your kind words Mark!
Thanks for this video. I'm a lutemaker and have been using Hammerl varnishes for a long time. Can you tell us how you store your brushes? I have never had any success in storing them dry, however clean they seem to be, and have always kept them hanging in white spirit. Am I missing something?
Hello Martin. To be honest , that is my struggle too. I have to talk about this with Hammerl, as I also can't find a good way to store the brushes.
Hey there Kimon, thank you for the video. I will also be appraching the stage of varnishing in near future and am thinking about this assortment and I have a question - ist this assortment enough for only one violin or is there enough of everything for more?
Hello Klemen. There is plenty of everything, for at least two violins!
Thankyoumaestro!
I'm starting to varnish my first violin tomorrow.
You mentioned you put 7 or 8 layers of coloured varnish on.
How long did you leave each coat to dry in the chamber?
And at the end, when you finished up with vanishing and had to leave it for 2-4 weeks to fully dry, did you use the chamber at all? Or did you just leave it to air dry?
Thank you very much!
I put the instrument for about 4 hours in the chamber and let it for two extra days out of the chamber. For the last couple layers even 3 or 4 days. During the 2 to 4 weeks after I didn't use the chamber anymore. Just in an open space.
@@maestrokimon thank you for always being so helpful and willing to answer questions!
I signed up as a patreon of yours last night
Thank you so much for you support Logan, it means a lot to me!
Πολύ ωραία η πατέντα τελικά στην περιστροφή!! Μπράβο Κίμων!
Ευχαριστώ πολύ Κώστα!
Hi Maestro, I have a question about wood quality as it relates to the light/dark effect you point out on the back of this instrument. I am trying to understand this so I can avoid it happening in my first instrument. Is this effect caused by "runout" in the grain when the two pieces of maple are bookmatched? If so, is it possible to tell if this will be an issue when the wood is first being prepared?
Thank you!
This light-dark effect is caused but a twisted growth of the tree. It is very hard to impossible to see on a piece of wood before use and you can't do anything about it later. The best way to avoid it is by buying wood the is split but this is the most expensive wood! (did you also send me an e-mail with this question?)
Hallo, on my viola and violin I made, I used this Kit too and was completely satisfyed
Good to hear Frank!
Thank you for another great video. I have a question. The first coat you applied, you called it a gelatin coat. Was this to seal the grain of the wood?
The first layer was indeed gelatin. It is the same gelatin use in the kitchen. Its purpose is indeed to seal the wood so that the oil varnish doesn't penetrate to deep.
@@maestrokimon Thanks for your reply.
Keep up the great videos.
Very Interesting. Thank You
Can you tell me the water/gelatin ratio that they recommend please?
Great video as are all of your videos.
I have a question that I can't seem to find a good answer for. anywhere.
Why is the neck not varnished and what do you so with this part to protect it?
Thank you so much for your kind words!
The neck of the violin (as the neck of every other stringed instrument like guitar, viola da gamba ect) isn't varnished because the varnish (that originally was always a natural varnish, oil based or alcohol based) got solved by the heat of the hand wile playing the instrument. The result was that the player got all the varnish on his hands!!! In this kit you find a product called Grip Polish, for the neck but I haven;t used it. I always use cooked linseed oil apllied with a piece of steel wol. Works perfectly as it smooths the neck very nice, gives a bit of shine and as oil pushes humidity of it protects the neck.
@@maestrokimon thank you for answering my question. I am going to try the linseed oil.
Merci pour les explications du vernissage, et de la traduction en français.. merci 🙏 🎻
Hello Kimon, thank you for the video. I tried this varnish kit, and had a very difficult time with the colored varnish. It became sticky very quickly, and it was not possible for me to get a smooth even finish. Within minutes or even seconds, if I went over an area to try and even out the varnish, it made it worse. From your experience, did you find that the varnish started drying this quickly? Maybe it's possible to add a retarding agent to slow the drying process. Because they recommend such a long drying time, I didn't expect this.
I see your problem. The varnish dries quiet fast. As soon as you have applied a layer and are going forward you cant go back again. I will make a smal video on how I varnish a cello so you can have a look. You will have to be patient thou, I need some time!
@@maestrokimon No problem, thank you for the reply. You are absolutely correct, there's no going back after you apply the varnish! After replying initially, I noticed a reply from Debra, and her comment that she added some linseed oil to increase the dry time. I tried this, and ended up mixing 4 parts colored varnish to 1 part boiled linseed oil, and I'm very happy with the results. That mixture allows me to do one side completely and even go over the surface a final time to smooth it out with just a slight of tackiness at the very end. Ribs and scroll work out just fine as well. It also dries pretty well in 24 hours, but I'm sure the boiled linseed oil does extend the final cure time. Will be building your UV drying chamber next! Thank you!
How would you recommend storing the gelatin solution after use? Refrigerator?
I would store it. Try not to make to mush and discard the rest. If you think that you will use it within a couple of days that the fridge will do the job.
Hey Kimon i'm learning a lot with you, Very well
Good to hear Igor! Thank you!
Hello maestro,
Love your videos and thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I bought the same package of joha that in you video, i want to do the last coat matte and not glossy, which product can i use?
Thank you for your kind words Chen.
You can try to sand the instrument with 6000 or 8000 grit paper and water.
Excellent video - violin making is so interesting and time consuming
It's definitely time consuming and you never stop learning!
Thank you for the great video. I have just finished building my first violin. For the varnish, I purchased the JO.HA oil varnish and ran into trouble. The varnish set too quickly to blend nicely on the belly and back. Blending the top portion on the violin was fine but by the time I got past the f holes it was sticky and drying too fast. Any advice?
I think I recognizer that. You have to varnish the top and back it 3 stages, uper mid en low part. In this way you can blend the parts together. But don't go from the last part back to the first one anymore.
maestro-Kimon thank you. I also added three drops of linseed oil and that helped also on the coat I put on last night.
Look out when adding something to your varnish. In this case the linseed oil could dty slower than the rest of the varnish creating crackle. You can always send an email to Joha with your questions.
I just replied similarly before I read your comment. I had the exact same experience and was very surprised given the expected drying time. I've only used spirit varnish before, and that's also a challenge as it dries very quickly, but expected. I was not expecting the same from an oil varnish. The primer went on smoothly and evenly and I never felt the brush trying to stick or carry the varnish.
@@tidewaterred I mixed 4 parts colored varnish to 1 part boiled linseed oil and was very pleased with the results. However, this is only speaking from the initial use and results. Long term could there be issues? Sure, but they seem to be compatible. I'm just banking on a little longer cure time. 24 hours is enough for the coat to dry and lightly sand or use the rottenstone and recoat.
Oh, Quantum Mechanics in your viola :D?? It could be wood polarization? :D
Hello , do you use schellakk layers ?
No, the oil varnish of this kit.
Great job!
Thank you!
I look at all your videos. I’m a varnish and guitar finisher. I use new Technology clears for today’s finishing. I make the violin sound amazing today y wait 100 years. I can make it happen sound amazing today. Thank you again for your videos. I both what you have. I like it. Make a violín I’ll finish it for you for free. Have to hear the sound.
Maestro Kimon como faço pra fazer encomenda desse vernis para violino obrigado forte abraço
Try using the link in the description of the video.
WHAT IS THE CHAMBER????
UV light box with fan driven ventilation.
Varnish pra violin
Where are you in Antarctica you said -7 but sunny here New York City Laughing thanks again for the video and you pronounce rottenstone correctly
No I'm not in Antarctica! I leave in The Netherlands!
Thanks! I wondered about the quality of that kit. www.internationalviolin.com/ProductDetail/10163a_joha-large-assortment-varnish-kit-amber. I’m thinking about making a violin. I’ve never made an instrument before. I thought buying a ready made violin might be a good way to get introduced to finishing and setup.
I think that this is the kit I used. Having an instrument is a good way to see and compare. Don't but a very poor made violin, so you won't take over the mistakes!