Stain matters

[samson]

I use those blue shop paper towels. They are clothlike without the lint, and they are pretty cheap.

S.

[Lew Hodgett]

Just curious, have you ever worked with WoodKote gel stains out of Portland?

I'm not a stain person, but found this stuff when I was still back in Cleveland and it solved my problem.

Found strictly in the pro finishes stores, at least that's where I found them in SoCal.

Lew

[Leon]

No I have not.

I have really had no problems as long as I stick with a quality product. This Lawrence McFadden brand that I mentioned has a wonderful gel varnish. Their gel products are more like a heavy oil. the gel varnish oddly has a purpley cast to it and covers quickly. Typically I am just getting started with the 3rd coat on most gel varnishes, with this stuff 3 is plenty.

I discovered the Lawrence McFadden products by accident. I had read that they made some of Rocklers Home branded stains and recently bought out Bartleys finishes. I contacted them about matching Bartleys and they offered to send me a few quarts of their product for a half pint of my Bartley Golden Oak stain. I got the products in and have been extreemly pleased.

Their gel varnish can be put on by a beginner with great results.

[Leon]

I am actually using the blue shop towels right now for test purposes however they do deteriorate and will leave fuzz on the piece if the stain or varnish starts to become tacky. For the real thing I much prefer the boxed white t-shirt remnants.