what's the deal with this?

I only use satin

Dick Coers

but they carry both at Menards.

Re: what's the deal with this?

john lucas

I had a can of both. Since I tend to use the Beal buffing system on my work I thought I would do a comparison. After buffing with the Beal there is virtually no difference in final appearance. Now I will say that I didn't use a high build. Just 3 layers. There is a difference of course if you don't do anything. The glossy is, well glossier.

Re: what's the deal with this?

Jim Barbour

it is still available at HD online, so I suspect this is an individual store decision

If you want gloss...

Brian Roberts

don't stir the finish.

There is absolutely no need to stir most finish...except to mix in the flattening particles.

if you really want gloss

john lucas

Use Birchwood Casey's True Oil. I'm talking glass like gloss. Takes a little time but it builds and fills in pores far faster than wipe on poly and is reallly easy to do. Just put a layer and let it dry over night. Steel wool with 4/0 until all you have left is glossy dots. Those are the pores or low spots. Do this every day until there aren't any glossy spots left. Usually about 6 to 10 coats for something with open pores like walnut. Then apply one more coat. It will look like a layer of glass is over it. I've done the test and it took about 20 or more coats to do the same thing with Minwax wipe on poly. You can find it an any out door store, many hardwares, and sometimes Walmart.

It's not a finish I use every day. I prefer the Minwax for its minimalistic gloss. In other words I want a gloss that doesn't look like a finish just polished wood. But when I really want that slap you in the face gloss I use the tru-oil. You owe it to your self to try it on a piece just to see how it works. It's fantastic over segmented work.

Re: what's the deal with this?

Jerry Maske

More than one occasion, I've seen proof of their basic Retail Axiom;

We can't keep it in stock so we stopped carrying it.

One of their associates actually told me that once. Guess there's a reason I shop at Lowe's

Re: what's the deal with this?

Bill Turpin in WNC mountains

The HD and Lowes are about a half mile apart in this town. There are usually four times the vehicles at the blue box. Several years ago after a brush with a hurricane, with tremendous tree damage, at 5pm on Saturday, Lowes had sold out of 18" Poulan chainsaw chains. HD had 20 of them in stock for a saw they did not stock. Nobody was shopping at HD, they already knew that HD never has what you need! In a county of 125K our Lowes sales are in the top ten stores in the whole corporation.

Re: what's the deal with this?

Lyle Jamieson

I agree, I like the gloss too. I could not find it recently either, But I will try again now that I know it is being made.

I should have added...

GaryG in MD

...two things for clarity (that's a 'gloss' joke)...

I don't like a glossy finish -- my preferred finish for most things is a "satin" finish that looks like what it is -- hand rubbed. I like what I get from going up to Abralon 4000. But I like to get that by applying a clear finish and cutting it back -- I don't like the idea of particles in it.

I prefer to use small "local" hardware stores, but there are no longer any "near" me, so when I'm in a rush, I go to what's close, and for better or worse, that's HD, which is 3-4 minutes away. Lowes definitely has a MUCH better reputation, but the closest one to me is probably about 20+ minutes away. Actually, I generally shop at our local ACE Hardware store -- they're quite good but more like 13 minutes away. I grudge time spent in cars.

...GG

Re: I should have added...

john lucas

Interesting. Around Here HD has a better reputation. We only have a Lowes in my town and the next town so have to drive to Nashville or Knoxville to get to HD but they are a much better store. At least for what I buy.