Craig - With all due respect, I find that getting a good (never mind outstanding) varnish finish with a brush is impossible. I have put on upwards of a total of 30 coats of Captain's varnish on the various boats I have built. I have used rollers, china bristle, foam, and genuine badger hair brushes. I have thinned 10%; I have put it on right out of the can. I never shake the can, and only touch the brush lightly to the side of the can after dipping it. I have considered swinging a dead cat around my head three times at midnight in the local cemetary during a full moon to possibly get the touch. All I get is bubbles. Millions and millions of tiny bubbles that never break, only harden. I know they are bubbles, 'cause I looked at several under a high powered magnifier. I wind up scraping off the hardened bubbles, wet sanding, and ultimately rubbing out the finish like it was a restored Corvette. One of these days I may try spraying, but Lord knows what new messes I would get...... -John