JOHA® Spirituslack Ia is the most frequently used varnish in our range and is based on a traditional recipe that has proven itself over many years. The varnish dries quickly, remains elastic, and produces a beautiful, rich gloss. Thanks to high-quality natural resins, it offers excellent sound transmission, making it especially suitable for use in instrument making. Features Spirit varnish based on a traditional recipe Dries quickly Elastic Rich, glossy finish Excellent acoustic properties due to premium resins Application Note Spirituslack Ia is particularly suitable for advanced and experienced varnishers, as its fast drying requires quick and confident work. Achieving an even surface is more challenging than with slower-drying varnishes. Recommended Use Ideal for varnishing string instruments as part of a multi-layer system. Varnish Build-Up For optimal results, we recommend a classic three-layer structure: Primer – Color Varnish – Coating. Primer: The first layer applied directly to the wood. It has excellent adhesion and is the hardest layer in the system. Color Varnish: Applied over the primer. Slightly softer, can be self-tinted or is available in clear and various colors. Coating: Final layer. The softest in the system, providing a full, deep gloss. Drying Times Drying time depends on air temperature and humidity. Ideal conditions: approx. 18°C temperature and 55% relative humidity. The first 1–3 coats usually dry within 24 hours. Thicker layers take longer to dry. To test: press your thumb firmly on the surface. If no fingerprint remains, the varnish is dry.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia – The Classic for Highest Demands in Sound and Appearance JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia is the most commonly used spirit varnish in our range – a genuine quality product with a long tradition. For decades, this varnish has been produced according to a proven, old recipe, continuously optimized and tested thousands of times in practice. It is the first choice for professional violin makers, restorers, and instrument makers who value outstanding processing quality, musical fine-tuning, and aesthetic effect. The basis of JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia consists of carefully selected, high-quality natural resins that ensure excellent sound development. The tonal characteristics of the instrument are fully preserved and even positively enhanced – a decisive advantage for high-quality string and plucked instruments. The varnish impresses with its very good elasticity and fast drying, which significantly facilitates processing. It can be applied evenly, dries cleanly, and produces a beautifully glossy, rich surface with fine depth and transparency. The gloss appears natural and elegantly highlights the individual wood grain of the instrument. JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia is ideally suited for coating new builds as well as for the professional restoration of historical instruments. It can be used pure or combined with other JOHA® products to achieve individual surface effects – from silky matte to high gloss. Key Features at a Glance: Made according to a traditional recipe Proven thousands of times in craftsmanship and restoration With high-quality natural resins for excellent sound reproduction Fast drying and elastic Beautiful, rich gloss with transparent depth effect Ideal for new builds and restorations Discover with JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia the perfect combination of artisanal tradition, acoustic quality, and aesthetic sophistication – for professional demands. Recommended for Experienced Users JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia is aimed at experienced violin makers, restorers, and varnish professionals who are familiar with the properties of spirit varnishes and expect high quality and excellent processing characteristics. Application Instructions: Do not shake the varnish before use Thin, even layers applied with fine brushes or spray technique are optimal Allow sufficient drying time between layers If necessary, the varnish can be diluted with spirit to adjust flow properties – pay attention to the individual reaction of the wood and substrate For best sound and gloss, careful intermediate sanding with tripoli or pumice is recommended The final polish can be done with a soft cloth using gloss and care polish to achieve characteristic depth and rich gloss Tip: Spirit varnishes are sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations. Therefore, always store the product tightly closed in a cool, dry place. The varnish should always be transferred into a glass bottle. With JOHA® Spirit Varnish Ia, experienced users benefit from a fast-drying, elastic varnish that flexibly adapts to different surfaces and optimally supports the acoustic properties of the instrument.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish IA is our most used spirit varnish, which has been tested thousands of times and is produced according to an old, traditional recipe. It dries rapidly , elastic and provides an attractive rich sheen . Through the use of valuable resins, this coating has a very good colour tone reproduction. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend this varnish to the more experienced, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA® Spirit varnish Standard has similar properties to our proven Spirit varnish Ia. By replacing relatively expensive resins and oils with more affordable resins of comparable quality, a high-quality and economical spirit varnish was created. It dries quickly, remains elastic, and produces a smooth, silky gloss. Thanks to its balanced formulation, it offers good acoustic properties and is versatile for use in instrument making. Properties Spirit varnish based on traditional recipe Fast drying Elastic coating film Silky to glossy surface effect Good acoustic properties due to premium natural resins Cost-effective alternative to Spirit varnish Ia Application Notes JOHA® Spirit varnish Standard is especially suited for experienced users. Because it dries quickly, it requires swift and careful handling. Achieving a uniform coating surface is only possible with appropriate skill and practice, as with all fast-drying spirit varnishes. Recommended Use Ideal for coating string instruments such as violin, viola, cello, or double bass as part of a multi-layer spirit varnish build-up. Also suitable for repairs and touch-ups. Spirit Varnish Build-up For optimal results, we recommend the classic three-layer build-up: Primer: Applied directly to the prepared wood. Provides excellent adhesion and forms the hardest layer in the build-up. Color coat: Middle layer, either clear or tinted. Softer than the primer, used to create the desired color effect. Coating: Final layer. Technically the softest, creating a rich, deep gloss and protecting the layers beneath. Drying Times Drying depends on ambient temperature and humidity. Ideal conditions are about 18 °C (64 °F) and 55% relative humidity. Thin spirit varnish layers dry initially (1–3 coats) in about 24 hours. Thicker or multiple coats require correspondingly more time. Practical test: Press your thumb firmly onto the varnish surface — if no impression remains, the coating is dry.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.

JOHA ® Spirit Varnish Standard has some features similar to Spirit Varnish IA. This very good but cheaper spirit varnish was created by replacing the relatively expensive resins and oils with cheaper resins with similar properties. Previous experience: Advanced We recommend you practice applying this varnish, as the surfaces dry quickly, which makes it more difficult to apply.