Minwax Poly Problem update II

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]

Hi All:

At someone’s suggestion (can’t recall who), I called the 800 # on the defective can of poly Mon. Nov. 5th after waiting a week in vain for a response to my e-mail to Minwax. After explaining the problems encountered and giving the lady the batch # off the can lid she said she would check with their QC people and get back to me in two or three days. It has now been 11 days since my call without a call back. I called them again this afternoon, and got a different lady who pulled up the file and told me that the retained sample was on specification. She ventured that it was an incompatibility with the existing poly, which had dried for months and had been sanded with 220 grit paper prior to applying the Minwax poly (not credible in my books). The short of it is; she said that if I was not satisfied with the product I should take it back to the seller and see if I could get my money back. Customer service? Never again will I purchase a Minwax product.

After the initial problem, I purchased a can of Flecto Satin Varathane and it was first applied to the second cupboard I was working on that also had months old Behr poly on it. It worked fine, although it has less build and a higher sheen than the Behr satin poly. I then moved back to the first cupboard and sanded down the Minwax poly (it took a week to dry enough to sand) with 320 grit wet and applied the Flecto satin poly to it. Again, it worked fine.

Anybody know who sells Behr Satin Poly in the Newmarket/Barrie area. I like that product the best.

Best Regards, Ron.

[William Young]

Ron; I have been following your problem and sorry to hear about the runnaround you're getting. Have you ever tried BEHR CLEARLAC. I know the mention of laquer turns some people off but don't think of it as *laquer*. It is no way like nitrocelulose laquer and dosn't even smell like it. When thinned and cleaned up with varsol it dries in less than an hour and can be sanded in about 3 hours. I usually apply 3 coats of this in one day and the finish is beautiful. I think the only reason they call it *lac* is because it gives the quality of finish of real laquer without the disadvantages.It is unique in the fact that it is compatable with laquer thinner as well if you want REALLY FAST drying but I find it plenty fast enough for me with paint thinner.
I get it from Windsor Plywood and they claim it's hard to keep in stock because all the local cabinet builders swear by it.
W.Y.

[Paul O in Paris]

Ron, have you thought about a waterbased lacquer? There are some really good ones out there. I find they will stick to almost any existing finish (if it is cleaned and prepared properly), stain or bare wood. You can get a variety of sheens and the product can be wiped or sprayed on (haven't tried brushing).
Regards.......Paul

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]

Paul, thankyou for your input. Sofar I am reluctant to move to water based finishes but they may be forced on us all eventually. However, I would not use anything other than latex paint for the house. Go figure eh!

Best Regards, Ron.

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]

Hi Bill, on the first go-round on this subject, someone mentioned BEHR CLEARLAC (likely you) and prior to buying the Flecto poly I read the label on a can of that. I got the impression it was intended as a sanding sealer and was meant to be topped with poly. Maybe I should give it some more consideration.

Thanks for you input, Ron.

[William Young]

Yes Ron; The label is a little misleading. It is a sanding sealer and finish. No special sealers required. First coat is the sealer and sands super smooth to a fine white powder similar to talcum powder. Next two coats provide the nicest finish I've ever seen. I have tried waterbased varathanes and urethanes more times than I like to admit but I always come back to the Clearlac. I don't think I'll resort to waterbasd again unless the environmentalists force me to. I have a half gallon of nitrocelluose laquer and a gallon of it's compatible sealer under my bench for the last 5 years but thats where it's staying since I found the Clearlac product.
Nope ...no affiliation with Behr. Just a graet product for my purposes. Did I say I like it? ;-)
W.Y.

[Paul O in Paris]

Ron, just think of them as clear Latex and go for it ;)
Regards......Paul

[Jamie in Brantford]

Ron, I get nothing but excellent results from waterborne finishes. I even use them over linseed oil and oil based stains with no complications. I find them much easier to use than solvent based finishes, especially with no finishing room.

[Bob Turner Salmon Arm B.C]

Funny how things work out sometimes. Ron is never going to buy another Minwax product and I will never buy another Behr product as long as I live. My reason is quite different however than having the product fail on me.

Bob

[Peter (up North,makin lum]

Since almost all of my projects are softwoods, I am wondering if the Clearlac keeps the wood at its original light natural colour when applied?

And Ron, thanks for the update on the "client service"....think you are lucky to even get a human being on the other end in this day and age!!!
Peter.

[Andy in Georgetown]

I have been using the Minwax products and find they require lots of dry time after the stain has been applied. I am not suggesting this is Rons problem but that I would like a change. I also find that the opened cans shelf life is not good, with only 25% of the product gone I'm getting thickening after only 6 weeks with a well sealed can.
Soooo what is a good water based product?

Thanks........Andy.

[Jamie in Brantford]

I've had good luck with Varathane Diamond Elite. Right now I'm using a satin floor finish. The floor finish is identical to the regular stuff (maybe a little tougher). I got four gallons for ten bucks a piece, so I can't go wrong.

I've used other brands, including a couple water based lacquers, and I think they all perform about the same. Like with any new product, you have to spend some time testing first.

[Mike Harris, London]

Who's the manufacture and where do you get your water-based lacquer, I've been intrigued by the the Target products but I'm not sure if they're avaiable in Canada.

Thanks
Mike

[bob oswin]

Tell us about your Behr product experiences?
I have had limited and very sporadic successes with Behr water based stains. I thought it was me until I saw samples on baseboard at a Local Revy.
These guys have to be kidding!
Their poly is very hard to get to flow evenly and will tear right off like cellophane if you get it on too thick. With a true Lacquer you can build up ten coats and them drive out a finish with pumice and rottenstone.

Bob in Edmonton

[Bob Crowder]

Hi Ron: I can't say my info is right up to date, but Home Depot used to sell Behr stains and finishes. Bob.

[Paul O in Paris]

Mike. right now I'm getting great results with Bcker Acroma Akvaline. I get mine at Colour Shoppe in Brantford, or at 4Most Chemical in Mississauga. Phone around, you should find a supplier in London.
Regards........Paul

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]

Thanks Bob, that is where I used to get it. They still carry Behr paints but not the poly.

Woe is me, Ron.

[William Young]

Peter; To answer your question, yes the Clearlac will darken white pine ever so slightly and as it ages it turns to a beautiful "aged wood" look which I like for some projects.
On the other hand . I make a lot of large solid oak clocks with maple overlays. On those , I like the maple to be a distinct contrast against the oak which I spray with Clearlac. In this case , I reluctantly use that awfull to use Varathane Dianond finish which IMHO, has only one good feature in that it dries clear and stays clear. I spray the maple overlays with it separately and glue them on later. I don't say this to dispute anybody that likes the waterbased product. it is a personal thing for me and I use waterbase only as a last reort. It's just that the Clearlac , for me goes on easier, cleans out of spraying equipment much easier and dosn't give that *plastiky* looking finish of the waterbased product.
W.Y.

[Mark Bertoia---Toronto]

Hi Ron

I am always reluctant to post about finishing because my experience is very limited. I have used the BM poly with reasonable success. Have you tried it yourself? I have also used a product called Long'n'Last with some success as well. I just don't know who makes it.

Mark :)

[Roman]

ever tried "Petit". Its available at Brydon Marine in Barrie. Ive used it and was extremely satisfied with it.

Ive also used "Circa 1850 Paste Varnish" with great success.

Cheers

[Bob Crowder]

Hi Ron: Behr's website is http://www.behrpaint.com. Their store locator link comes up with a place in Orangeville...NORTHERN HARDWOOD MOULDING

9 COMMERCE ROAD

ORANGEVILLE ON, L9W 5X3

(519) 938-9292

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]