I'm getting a redwood glider ready for finish. It never had a finish on it, so the wood had simply aged, I've mostly got it ready to go back out but this time it will have a clear coat finish. The thing is I would normally use an oil based untinted paint for this...but I cna'r find any that dries clear. I though the SW SWP oil base would do it, but it's dries very milky looking. I can't find any other paint providers that have oil based anything near me. (BTW, I did consider SW All Surface Enamel, it's oil based  and very clear, but I've caught at least 2 testimonies that claimed it failed quickly outdoors....I'm testing a piece right now; but won't use it on the glider). Anyway, I'm considering a true marine grade spar varnish...specifically the McCloskey Man O War version. Anybody have something bad to say about this stuff (or good)?

Fred, it used to be my go to finish....mixed with Watco for a wipe on. Have never used it for an exterior finish. It does resist moisture such as from spills. It's also UV resistant. You're safe using it in Ohio. I wouldn't use it in California, though. 

Thanks, Gene. I'll order a can today.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Fred, it used to be my go to finish....mixed with Watco for a wipe on. Have never used it for an exterior finish. It does resist moisture such as from spills. It's also UV resistant. You're safe using it in Ohio. I wouldn't use it in California, though. 

Because it causes cancer in California???

Sorry, Fred, but I don't think I've ever used it.   Even if so, it's likely been reformulated in the last five years or so to change VOC.

 

39 minutes ago, kmealy said:

Because it causes cancer in California???

Sorry, Fred, but I don't think I've ever used it.   Even if so, it's likely been reformulated in the last five years or so to change VOC.

 

You got it, Keith. Only in CA, though. 

Minwax, I think, owns the brand, now. I've not tried it since it changed hands. IIRC, it was always advertised as low VOC. I never noticed it having a big stink factor, anyway. 

6 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

You got it, Keith. Only in CA, though. 

Minwax, I think, owns the brand, now. I've not tried it since it changed hands. IIRC, it was always advertised as low VOC. I never noticed it having a big stink factor, anyway. 

IIRC, Valspar bought McClosky's brand a few years ago, then relabled to Cabot.  McCloskey's Heirloom varnish became Cabot 8000 series.   A couple of years ago, Sherwin-Williams (who also owns the Minwax brand) bought (most of) Valspar.    They spun off some small parts (Guardsman, who I was associated with as a franchisee, then as a vendor) to a service company, Amynta Group.  Can't tell the players without a scorecard!

In truth, there are just a few major finish manufacturers that own practically all the paint, finish, and coatings brand names.  (Coatings include things like the coatings inside food and beverage cans)

https://www.pcimag.com/articles/104924-global-top-10-and-pci-25-top-paint-and-coatings-companies

https://www.statista.com/statistics/543989/leading-paint-companies-worldwide-by-revenue/

Edited May 21, 20206 yr by kmealy

I knew SW owned the McCloskey name, in consumer finishes they are kinda becoming a monopoly .

Varathane is owned by RPM, along with Watco, Rust-Oleum, Mohawk, and Zinsser, among others.  One of the big boxes (HD, I think) switched from Minwax to Varathane.  Lowe's was in bed with Valspar and SW (now the same co.) for paints.

https://www.rpminc.com/leading-brands/consumer-brands/

Well, I ordered a quart of the Man O War spar...it was interesting to see that in gallons the EPA has banned it in Ohio (and several dozen other states) but in quarts it wasn't banned anywhere. I think I've seen the same phenomena with some other finishes but the names escape me at the moment.

That is odd, Fred. Really odd that you can order cases of four, though. 

4 hours ago, kmealy said:

Varathane is owned by RPM, along with Watco, Rust-Oleum, Mohawk, and Zinsser, among others.  One of the big boxes (HD, I think) switched from Minwax to Varathane.  Lowe's was in bed with Valspar and SW (now the same co.) for paints.

https://www.rpminc.com/leading-brands/consumer-brands/

I can confirm the orange Borg quit carrying Minwax.   Then changed to Varathane in last few months.

8 minutes ago, Gunny said:

I can confirm the orange Borg quit carrying Minwax.   Then changed to Varathane in last few months.

Ok, which one's the orange borg? 

 

2 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Ok, which one's the orange borg? 

 

You gotta get out more. Home Depot.

2 minutes ago, Gunny said:

You gotta get out more. Home Depot.

...The nearest one's in the next county, I haven't been that way in awhile. If it's still there? 

BORG... Big Orange Retail Giant. As opposed to the BBRG...Lowes. Neither of which carries McCloskys Man o War. In my area anyway. Ace does, though. 

Edited May 21, 20206 yr by Gene Howe

13 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

BORG... Big Orange Retail Giant. As opposed to the BBRG...Lowes. Neither of which carries McCloskys Man o War. In my area anyway. Ace does, though. 

So I guess Menards must be the "Green Giant"? 

4 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Well, I ordered a quart of the Man O War spar...it was interesting to see that in gallons the EPA has banned it in Ohio (and several dozen other states) but in quarts it wasn't banned anywhere. I think I've seen the same phenomena with some other finishes but the names escape me at the moment.

Waterlox has the same restriction.   Technically, I can run a few miles south to KY and bootleg a gallon in.  Even though it's made in Cleveland, OH, they can't sell it to me or ship it to me.   I have friends in KY, though.

3 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

So I guess Menards must be the "Green Giant"? 

7 minutes ago, Gunny said:

Oh ho ho, Maynard.

4 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

...The nearest one's in the next county, I haven't been that way in awhile. If it's still there? 

I'll get back to you in two weeks when I find out.