Now that you have finished your first woodburning, you need to finish your woodburning! What I mean is that you need to apply a coating over the pyrography to protect the burnt lines, colors, and wood. You can apply the coating either by spraying or with a good brush. I find the spray is harder to control and could run (drip) if applied too heavily. You can get a coating with either a gloss finish or a flat, natural look. I prefer Polyurethane with a Satin finish. A pint will protect many woodburnings. Do not use true varnish - it has a yellow tint and can darken with age.

Apply the finish in the direction of the grain, or across the length of an oval wood. Do not apply a heavy coat. Apply two very thin coats. Let the first coat dry before applying the second coat.

Sometimes the first coat will cause the grain to raise in places. After the first coat dries thoroughly, usually overnight, lightly feel across the grain. If it feels rough, you may LIGHTLY sand the finish and dust it off. The finish must be very dry before sanding! Then apply the second coat, let it dry, and it will be ready for display!