Hi @GeorgeS1,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
If the varnish is still sticky, it likely hasn’t cured properly, possibly due to a thick application, humidity, or not enough time. Sanding it back and starting fresh is a good idea, but it may be worth waiting a week or so to see if the stickiness improves.
If, after a week, it is still too sticky, you will have to sand it back to remove it. You can also use Bondall Waterbased Paint & Varnish Stripper to speed up the process, just make sure you do it in a well-ventilated area, wear a mask and gloves and take all necessary precautions.
Once you are back to a clean slate, it sounds like you might be better off using an oil or wax than a varnish. Oils and waxes will protect the timber and elevate the look while maintaining a more natural feel. Whereas varnish creates a film over the top of the timber, oil and wax will penetrate the fibres of the timber, offering protection without the loss of feel.
My suggestion would be a light oil product such as this Kaboodle Clear Hardwax Oil. It can be applied in thin coats using a microfibre cloth.
If you would prefer to use varnish, Cabot's 250ml Matt Water Based Cabothane Clear Interior Varnish is a good option.
Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
