I'm told that I won't be able to find 5 gallon pails of oil based polyurethane any more. I don't want to accept it. I know there has got to be someone out there who manufactures the stuff.

Any ideas?

Why is that? They are way to heavy, that must be it. Ever try and carry one up a ladder?

Are you in this country? Guys have been dumping quarts into buckets for well over 20 years now, due to regulations.

Oh he was talking sbout finish. lol Sorry

Same thing, until I read Howard's post.

In after humor and the ladder comment... you should have seen them get the big machine up the ladder.

I don't know what country you are in. You have to remember that "here" can be different for everyone on a forum.

In Canada, we have gallon pails of stain, and 5 gallon pails of urethane. I've heard they use quarts only in the US. Sounds like a nightmare. And a huge waste to produce so many containers when you know contractors use the stuff in large quantities.



I wouldn't carry a 5 gallon pail up a ladder. Normally I dump only what I will be using into another empty can. It makes the job so much easier to have a deep can to work with.

5 Gallon pails sound like a PITA to deal with, I imagine your saying the same about quarts. I guess it's all in what your used to. Or in your case, or everyone in the U.S....what your forced to accept, and get used to.

The statement ,asking what country, may have been taken out of content. And sorry, I guess I assumed you would know where I'm located by the signature,( I shouldn't assume). And yes, thank you for the tip, I'm aware this is worldwide. Thanks for joining us !

Old formulas from companies that I use (Fabulon,Lenmar,Last n Last) are only available in quarts now. Some companies manufacture VOC compliant stains and finishes and they suck so I don't use them. I do not know if VOC compliant formulas are available in 5 gallon containers but I don't recall seeing any.

So do you guys still mostly use the old school high VOC stuff since the low VOC sucks? My buddy was telling me he tried it not long ago and it sets way too fast and the finish looks terrible, and that he's gonna buy 20 cans at a time to stick with the old stuff. I'm not a big fan of waterbased either, and can spot it a mile away, milky finish and all. I guess high VOC oil based still looks best...?

Pretty much. I really hate working with quart cans but I can't compromise my jobs with the new VOC compliant materials. As for water base, the only look I am happy with is the Bona traffic. If you put down their dri fast dealer, you can get close to the appearance of oil. But traffic is almost $90.00 per gallon versus about $25.00 for a gallon of oil base.

Here in ma we have a lot of 5 gallon choices.
Absco being a good one.

We mostly use woodline qrts. Throw them in a 5 gallon bucket.

Only 5's around here are 450 voc and below.

In Cali it's got or be under 275 voc.

Thats where were headed so we better start getting used to water based finish!

I like water better myself. Much much harder of a finish. Non yellowing to boot!

I know I'm late to this thread, but we get 5 gallon jugs of moisture cured from hartco, sometimes from poloplaz in a pinch. Hartco is much cheaper though. Love working in Florida, we get to use the good stuff and know we deliver a good product.
It seems to me that using a high voc once is much better than muliple applications of a low voc.

The finish I personally like the best is made in Arkansas and they prefer putting it in 5 gallon buckets ask the about there original oil based Moisture Cure Urethane http://www.procoatinc.com/ Small amounts I pay $32.50 per gallon plus hazard shipping cost, they pay for shipping if you buy bulk. It's a true 20 year finish. If you need a lower sheen you can buff and use oil based poly over it.