Also, it sounds like a spring cleaning is in
: order. After I put the air filter in, I went around on the scaffold and
: vacuumed dust off of all the surfaces above; the heater, the trusses,
: lights, etc... A good blow with the leaf blower might go further.

: When you sand between coats, are there shiny spots (lows) left in the prior
: coat? Or do you take it down uniformly dull?

Don't stir up the dust in your shop unless you have a couple days to let it settle. I NEVER run the table saw (mega micro dust maker) on a day I'm going to vanish. Be careful about doing anything that creates dust on a varnishing day.

I go over the previous coat lightly with wet 220 paper. Dry paper would gum up with the still soft varnish. Wet/dry paper cuts great with water, no dust, no clog. Wipe down with plenty of water and a sponge and dry with paper towels. I'm not looking for a uniform matt surface, just knock down any dust specks, get rid of any sags or drips and add a little tooth to the coat. If you have a bad sag or drip take it off with a cabinet scraper and sand well.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com