Official Luthiers Forum!

I prefer the Pratt & Lambert #38 to Sherwin-Williams Classic Oil Fast Dry Varnish. As I said it is difficult to find in the Houston area; 4th largest city in the US, why no P&L #38? Wish I knew.it has nothing to do with VOC regulations or EPA BS. Guessing just a supply - demand issue; no demand so supply goes away to make room on the shelf for something else. Guess I should have used more of it... the place I used to buy it said I was the only one that bought it.

Sherwin-Williams Classic Oil Fast Dry Varnish is a faster dry than most non poly varnishes. Much faster than Waterlox or Behlens Rockhard Table top varnish.

P&L #38 is lighter in color than the Sherwin-Williams Classic Oil Fast Dry Varnish once it has dried. Ironically the P&L #38 looks purple in the can. Dries hard and clear very very slight yellow. SW was made with linseed oil so it's a bit darker and will yellow a little more than the P&L#38.

I tend to work with darker woods so I end up using Waterlox the most.