I have read in several places that a good finish for Cherry is Bartley's Gel Varnish.
I ordered some months ago, from Bartley, and it finally arrived yesterday.
However, it is labeled Bartley's Gel Stain - Clear Satin.
Is Gel Varnish the same as a clear Gel Stain?
Now the web site lists the products as
http://www.bartleycollection.com/catalog/index.php?l=product_list&c=30
And you can see that the picture shows "stain" and "Varnish" for each product.
Same picture - different product.
Bartley's went out of business in January - which I found out by
reading this site:
http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com/htdocs/Bartleystains.htm
The product is now made by Seagrave Coatings.
What's ther story? Did I get the wrong product. Bartley's is closed
over the weekend, and I've been waiting for the finish so I can
complete by project, working this weekend. But I don't want to start
if I have the wrong product.
Maxwell Lol <[email protected]> writes:
> I have read in several places that a good finish for Cherry is Bartley's Gel Varnish.
> I ordered some months ago, from Bartley, and it finally arrived yesterday.
>
> However, it is labeled Bartley's Gel Stain - Clear Satin.
A followup. The manufacturer ran out of labels for Gel Varnish. So
they used a Gel Stain label, and stuck on it a piece of paper that
said "clear satin" Gel Stain.
Upscale <[email protected]> writes:
> On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:58:53 -0400, Maxwell Lol <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>However, it is labeled Bartley's Gel Stain - Clear Satin.
>>Is Gel Varnish the same as a clear Gel Stain?
>
> In addition to Leon's comments, I think you'll find the gel stains to
> be nicer to work with. I always have.
Thanks, Leon and Upscale.
On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:58:53 -0400, Maxwell Lol <[email protected]>
wrote:
>However, it is labeled Bartley's Gel Stain - Clear Satin.
>Is Gel Varnish the same as a clear Gel Stain?
In addition to Leon's comments, I think you'll find the gel stains to
be nicer to work with. I always have.
"Maxwell Lol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I have read in several places that a good finish for Cherry is Bartley's
> Gel Varnish.
> I ordered some months ago, from Bartley, and it finally arrived yesterday.
I have used Bartleys since 1989. In recent years it's QC had been lacking.
A few years ago Lawrence McFadden bought Bartleys finish products from
Bartley's. At about that time I was searching to buy Bartley's dirrect from
LM and they offered to trade me a couple of quarts of their product for a
pint of my Bartley's Golden Oak Gel Stain. From that point on I have use LM
products instead. In December of last year LM went out of business and I
have heard nothing since. Fortunately I got my 8 quarts of gel varnish
also.
>
> However, it is labeled Bartley's Gel Stain - Clear Satin.
In the past Bartley's offered, Gel Stains, Gel Tint Base and Gel Varnishes,
All gel varnishes that I have seen/used regardless of which brand have
always been a Clear Satin finish.
I suspect that you actually have the Gel Varnish. The gel stains had a
marginal amount of varnish mixed in. The gel varnishes were basically all
varnish and appear to look like Vaceline.
>
> Is Gel Varnish the same as a clear Gel Stain?
Not in my experience however if you try it out on a scrap you will find out.
Keep in mind that with the gel varnishes it will take typically a minimum of
3 application before you begin to get a consistant satin sheen. I have had
best results when applied just thick enough to cover the surface and then
"immediately" before it begins to get tachy wipe the excess off with a clean
soft cloth. Use new clean wiping cloths for each new coat and if the
wiping off rag show any signs of being stiff. Don't wipe hard, wipe just
hard enough to even out the surface that leaves a glass smooth surface.
Typically if you have wiped correctly the surface will be OK to touch in 10
minutes or so. Let it set at least 4 hours before applying the next coat.
Typically you do not have to sand between coats but if your surface becomes
rough you can sand or scuff the surface before the last coat.
>
> Now the web site lists the products as
> http://www.bartleycollection.com/catalog/index.php?l=product_list&c=30
> And you can see that the picture shows "stain" and "Varnish" for each
> product.
> Same picture - different product.
I think the pictures are misleading. If you can says gel varnish I believe
you will have Gel Varnish and not a stain.
>
> Bartley's went out of business in January - which I found out by
> reading this site:
> http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com/htdocs/Bartleystains.htm
> The product is now made by Seagrave Coatings.
No Bartley's is still in business, it is their Finishes product line which
was sold a few years ago that has had a questionable future lately. The
parent company is still in business. http://www.bartleycollection.com/
>
> What's ther story? Did I get the wrong product. Bartley's is closed
> over the weekend, and I've been waiting for the finish so I can
> complete by project, working this weekend. But I don't want to start
> if I have the wrong product.
See above.