Replies

1. 
   desertmaster | Dec 05, 2006 07:50am | #1

   Len,

       Dang, that's bad news, but I appreciate you putting out the info. I have been using Bartley for years, usually ordering thru Woodworkers Supply.    I assume they are no longer making the gel varnish also. I don't care for Minwax so will have to find some other brand.  Anyway, thanks, Len.              Gary

1. 
   Len | Dec 05, 2006 09:50am | #3

   Gary,

   Yes, they aren't manufacturing the varnish. They sold the gel stain and varnish to another company. They were willing to make the order to the new company for me since I ordered it online but that was for the inconveince. If you call them you can get the number of the new manufacturer. But they said they were only selling to distributors. I decided to cancel the order since it was going to take to long to get here.

   Hopefully the Minwax will work for me. Christmas is around the corner and my brother's cabinet isn't finished yet.

   Happy Holidays

   Len

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 05, 2006 07:52am | #2

   That is truly bizarre.  Did they take your credit card number and everything?!  Would have been all kinds of fun trying to get the charge credited back.

   So....are Barley's Gel Stains still going to be available, but made by a different company.  Hmmmmmmm.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   Len | Dec 05, 2006 09:52am | #4

   FG,

   Yes, they will but who knows where. I would guess anyone of the companies that are already selling it would carry the new stuff.

   I need to experiment with some other brands.

   Len

1. 
   ETG | Dec 05, 2006 09:38pm | #5

   Bartley owners are selling the business - both furniture kit (which was their original operation) and the stain/finish operations.  The deal is still pending but it appears it will move forward.

   The new owners have decided to sell the stain/finish product line to another manufacturer who at this point will still sell the product as Bartley gel stains and finishes.  The new owners will concentrate on furniture kits, initially with the current ones available but may makes changes in the future.

   It is interesting to note that Some Woodcraft stores have dropped Bartley and picked up more General finish products.  However, I was assured Bartley products would still be available, just under new owners/manufactuers.

1. 
   mapleman | Dec 06, 2006 04:08am | #6

   I had noticed Woodcraft was dropping Bartley as well, so I switched to General gel stain. Have not been disappointed, they are first rate stains with nice deep colors. And woodcraft and Woodworker's supply both carry them.

   Lee

1. 
   desertmaster | Dec 06, 2006 08:44am | #7

   Lee,

     Besides your comment on liking the General gel stains, do you have any experience with their gel varnish?    I have used Olympic gel stains from Lowes, and like them ok, even though they are not as thick as the Bartley brand.  But for some reason they don't carry the gel varnish.     Gary

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Dec 06, 2006 04:43pm | #8

   I saw shelves full of Bartley's gel stain, paste filler, etc. at Highland Woodworking (just was re-named as formely Highland Hardware) when I picked up a quart of Honey and the new Golden Oak gel. No mention of switching at this point, but I will ask the next time by or call.

   At least at this point, you can get all you want...

   http://www.highlandwoodworking.com

   Regards...

   SARGE..

3. 
   mapleman | Dec 06, 2006 10:42pm | #10

   Hey guys, one other suggestion:

   Jeff Jewitt's site, homesteadfinishing.com carries bartley products and is a big endorser of them. If bartley is discontinued, I'm sure Jeff will certainly still carry them under the other brand name.

   Lee

4. 
   mapleman | Dec 06, 2006 10:39pm | #9

   DM,

   Hi. Sorry, but I haven't tried general's gel varnish, so I can't make a recommendation one way or another. I have used the bartley's in the past and liked it.