Crossword Genius

Varnish ingredient stirred with irons (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rosin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'varnish' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ingredient stirred with irons' is the wordplay.
'irons' can be anagrammed to 'ROSIN'.
But, I am not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rosin that I've seen before include "Rub it along the violin bow" , "Violin bow treatment" , "Sticky stuff rubbed on violin strings" , "Wax for violin bow etc." , "It's put on bow" .)

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