On Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:55:02 -0500, Leon wrote:

LOL, let me start off with my definition of a varnish.

A paint containing a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder, used to
coat a surface with a hard, glossy, transparent film.
The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this paint.

Well, the "evaporating" qualifies shellac as a varnish. That's pushing a
bit. And a "paint" usually contains pigment and is not a "transparent"
film.

But that's just me feeling pedantic this morning :-).

In reference to the subject of this thread, yes, multiple coats of a
finish with a flattening agent will decrease the gloss with each
additional coat. Assuming of course that it's been stirred :-). The
problem is that multiple coats also make the wood appear cloudy. I tell
customers if thy must use such finishes, use gloss for all but the last
coat, which they can do by NOT stirring. Or just use gloss and rub it out.