I keep looking for a alkyd/soya varnish that's easier to just go out and buy. Currently I have to special order Cabot 8000 series through Lowes, or mail order any others. I saw Old Master's on the Woodmsith show and looked it up. I think the Super Varnish formula may be a soya oil based varnish, but to be honest the MSDS is pretty clueless (at least to me). Does anyone know if this product is soya oil based? I see Old Masters also has a fast dry formula and my guess is that one is linseed oil based. Anyway, if this works out the Old Masters brand is actually stocked at a lumber yard about 13 miles away. Thanks for any info...

I know Mohawk makes one, I think Pratt and Lambert # 38 is one also. Not sure what General Finishes uses, but the stuff they make is always top shelf.  Ant reason you don't like linseed base? bob

Yeah, the soya formulas have a lot less amber than the linseed oil versions. I've used a lot of SW Fast Dry oil varnish, which is linseed based. It's great, but it I don't like the amber cast it has. I was using P&L 38 (my favorite), but I had to mail order it and now my mail order source has dropped it. I understand the Cabot 8000 series is simply a rebranded McCloskey's Heirloom.

Bob Kloes said:

I know Mohawk makes one, I think Pratt and Lambert # 38 is one also. Not sure what General Finishes uses, but the stuff they make is always top shelf.  Ant reason you don't like linseed base? bob

Why not then go to waterbase? General Finishes makes some great stuff. bob

The P&L 38 is if not already being discontinued. I have a good friend that got me a gallon. He told me when I got it that there would be no more when the supply that is out is gone.

 

I have used it and I am going to have to find something to replace it with. I will probably look at the General Finishes.

I use General Finish products, partucarly the Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal oils. But I looked, you have about a 50 mile trip, one way, to get some GF.

 

I have heard that about the soya oils not having as much "amber" tone as the linseed. Also, I have heard the soya oils dry much faster. I'm going to have to try a can of that Cabot 8000 and mess around some.

Just curious Fred...what woods and/or stain colors are you working with that you like the lighter color oil?

 

-Ace-

Most of what I do is oak, but even on cherry and walnut I find the warming effect not to my taste, I hardly ever stain wood, preferring the natural tones.  I do have some curly maple and find the linseed oil formulas much nicer (again, to my eyes) on that species. For anyone that may be interested, after several phone calls to various Old Master dealers yesterday, here is what I was told: The Old Masters Super Varnish is indeed a a alkyd/soya formula, comparable to the P&L 38/Cabot 8000 varnishes. For environmental reasons my  state (Ohio) has stopped anyone here from carrying it, the VOC's violate the law (or executive order, or whatever it is). The linseed oil formulas (Old Masters Fast Dry Varnish) is still sold. This particular dealer also told me that most surrounding states have the same regs....with Michigan being the possible exception. So, as I type this I have about 5-6 quarts of the Cabot in my stash and I'm guessing after that's gone (this year, I suspect) I'll either go to MI or switch to linseed oil. I've sued some of the water based acrylics, and at this point am not too fond of them. But they keep improving the chemistry and we all may be water based finishers in the not-so-distant future.

Ace HoleInOne said:

I use General Finish products, partucarly the Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal oils. But I looked, you have about a 50 mile trip, one way, to get some GF.

 

I have heard that about the soya oils not having as much "amber" tone as the linseed. Also, I have heard the soya oils dry much faster. I'm going to have to try a can of that Cabot 8000 and mess around some.

Just curious Fred...what woods and/or stain colors are you working with that you like the lighter color oil?

 

-Ace-

http://www.generalfinishes.com/retail-products/water-base-top-coats-sanding-sealers/enduro-var-waterbased-urethane

This is some very nice finish. If you get a chance , it might be worth trying for you. It sprays wonderful and is also brushable. It is water base, so the smell is not bad. Very tough. I believe Rob Durfos uses it. I have tried it on some work and find it really nice. bob

Fred, thanks for passing along the info. Geez didn't know Ohio was that "Green" yet. Oh hockey sticks yeah come visit Michigan.

 

As Bob mentioned, the Enduro-Var is very good water-based. There is a very slight amber tone to this product. So I have noticed by applying more coats the more amber it will go. Just a few coats, its hardly noticeable. I have only tested some with this, but am seriously contemplating using it on my current project. 

 

Not all water-based finishes are the same....I have come to like General Finishes the best, their performance is excellent.

 

-Ace-