Lew,
Only 3 coats of Varnish ?

All kidding aside - you did forget to mention it should be 'short oil'
varnish.

DO NOT, repeat NOT use 'Spar Varnish'. If you do, on a warm summer day you
WILL glue your butt to the bench !!

'Spar' NEVER hardens . . . it's not supposed to. The idea was to protect
wooden spars, allow movement & flexing, and yet be 'clear' to allow
inspection of the mast, yards, etc.

Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"Lew Hodgett" wrote ...

"Barry Kwasny" wrote:
I made a gothic bench from douglas fir and stained it. {SNIP}

3 COATS LAMINATING EPOXY FOLLOWED BY 3 COATS VARNISH/POLY CONTAINING UV
INHIBITORS.

(Cap Lock off)

The epoxy protects the wood and the varnish protects the epoxy

THe varnish/poly is simple to repair.

Lew