Varnish is a clear liquid. It looks like water but is slightly thicker. Varnish is made from oil and substance called resin. The resin is made by some plants such as the pine tree. Resin is a kind of plant juice. When the plant makes resin it flows out of the plant then sets to forms a transparent solid. When varnish is made the resin is dissolved in the clear liquid. Varnish can be used to coat wood, paint or metal. The surface must be made very clean before it is coated with varnish. A brush is used to put the varnish on the surface. It is spread on the surface like paint. The varnish sets and forms a hard, transparent, shiny coat.

Varnish has a wide range of uses. It may be used to give a wooden floor a hard shiny surface or used on garden furniture to make it look attractive and protect it from the weather. Paintings are coated in varnish. In very old paintings the varnish may become brown and make the painting appear dull. The varnish can be removed with great care and replaced with another coat to make the painting look attractive again. Wooden boats need a coating of varnish to help keep the wood watertight. Water skis and snow skis are coated in varnish. The smooth surface made by the varnish helps the skier move quickly over water or snow.