You know when your paint surface gets too slick and oil starts to bead? There are several remedies. Rubbing an onion over the surface works but has issues–obviously. A better method is to use denatured alcohol. A light application over the surface cures this problem instantly. Make sure to not overdo it. Too much alcohol might affect the paint layer.
Alcohol works but I normally use an alcohol-based varnish or shellac instead. These varnishes are perfect for preventing sinking-in. By the time the surface beads, new layers also tend to sink. So these varnishes address both problems. And because of the alcohol, they dry immediately. Of course, one wouldn’t use these varnishes as a final varnish.
