My son bought a house and the wood accents (stair rail, upper rail, riser rail in kitchen ) are finished in Cabots Mahogany Flame on mahogany wood. Looks great but My question is that I can only find one that says it is outdoor. Is there another or does it matter?

Oh I left out that I am making shelves to match for either side of the fireplace and will have wooden shelf brackets I will make.

Keith might know for sure but, I think that's the only formulation. At any rate, using it on indoor items should be fine.

If it is for outdoors then inside would even last longer!!??

Thanks just not familiar with this product

I am not sure what's in it.   The first place I normally look to break through the blah-blah on the label is the SDS (Safety Data Sheet, nee MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet).   It's supposed to list the hazardous ingredients.   All they show for this one is the thinners and "trade secret."   I saw this once at a wood show and asked what was in it and the rep gave me a bunch of useless blah-blah, too.   I left in disgust.  It's my impression the more they hide behind the "trade secret" the more it's just common ingredients.    Same issue with a lot of "Howard's" products.   I  inquired once to them if one of their products was like a "Danish Oil."   Their response was, "Oh, No, it's 100% American oil."   Blah-blah.  Some thinners, some alcohol, and some mineral oil, probably.   Blah-blah. 

 

One secret to unlocking the SDS is to use the CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number, that is unique for a product that can have multiple common or trade names.  This product is 50-70% CAS 64742-47-8  (deodorized kerosene, hydrotreated light petroleum distillates,  mineral turpentine, blah-blah)

 

Frustrating that you cannot determine what the chemistry is so you can know when and how to use it.  

 

One way I use to try to at least get it in the right family is to put a puddle on something non-porous (glass, can lid, etc.)   Let it cure.  If it's hard and smooth, it's a varnish.  If it's soft and wrinkly, it's an oil.   If it's hard in the center and wrinkly around the edges, it's an oil-varnish blend.   The more wrinkly, the higher percentage oil vs. varnish.

Edited December 16, 20178 yr by kmealy

Thanks for the info despite all the chemistry I took just not too good with the SDS . I did some more research and apparently they have changed the formula to a water base. Based on users recommendations I ordered the old formula. Noticed the label says outdoor use only, kind of curious. As if they did that as a CYOA so no tests needed. Will update when I get it in and try it.

I've sent an e-mail to one of my technical contacts at Valspar to see if I can get any more information on this for our education.   Will let you know what I hear.