Thread: Why I Hate CARB

(That's California Air Resources Board)

There is a Minwax product called Antique Oil Finish. It is sort of a mix of Boiled Linseed Oil, mineral spirits and a resin varnish. MAOF is one of the easiest and almost fool proof finishes available to woodworkers. (Even with the invention of dumber fools, the finish is fool proof. )

The product is manufactured with all Non-Photochemically Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds. (i.e. The VOCs do NOT contribute to SMOG.) However there are some VOCs in the product. The CARB has decided that any VOCs are no good. The CARB has required that most products with VOCs be pulled from store shelves and can not be sold in California. All of our polyurethane finishes are now water based.

I don't know if you have pols that are "SMOG Fighters" in OZ, but if you are a user of oil finishes be aware of the political situation. You too may have a project half finished and be unable to purchase additional oil finish supplies.