I know this is pretty niche, but I thought it was worth a shot to ask. I have been checking store shelves and Googling my ass off looking for, ~~A) a non-polyurethane, oil-based stain (油性ニス)~~ (EDIT: Mission Clear!), and B) a clear, oil-based polyurethane satin finish (透明 油性 サテン ウレタン).
It seems like an incredibly pretty simple thing, but on both fronts I am coming up with nothing. Almost 80% of what’s out there is a “two in one” colored stain/polyurethane mix (ウレタンニス), which I don’t want at all. Satin-finish just doesn’t seem like a thing at all (there’s glossy and non-glossy).
I feel like I’m going crazy. Is this particular method just not how it’s done here? Am I just not using the right search terms?
8 comments
Locally, I’d try Kahma home center, tho I think it goes by other names in other places. How about [these](https://www.dcm-ekurashi.com/search/?dispNo=&q=%96%FB%90%AB%83j%83X&x=0&y=0&selectedCategoryDispName=%83L%81%5B%83%8F%81%5B%83h%82%A9%82%E7%92T%82%B7&searchbox=1) for a start.
If you want something like Tung oil, I’ve sourced that from the US (StewMac, guitar finishing and other tools).
Maybe ask also on [r/JapaneseWoodworking/](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapaneseWoodworking/) ?
Have you tried the pro home centers like Conan Pro? Or looked online? Many niche shops have online storefronts in Rakuten, for example.
Watco oil and Briwax ブライワックス are also a popular choice to get a natural vintage look on woodworks. Lot of clips on youtube explaining it.
Have you looked at http://www.off.co.jp ?
Just Google the name of the same product sold overseas. A lot of the time you will find it imported to Japan. Then look at the Japanese product description to see how it’s described and Google those words to get the more common/cheaper Japanese brand.
But for instance, I just Googled サテン ウレタン and immediately found [this](https://amzn.asia/d/cHYacEa). I think you just need to up your Google foo.
https://www.monotaro.com/p/2324/5495/
Is this the kind of thing you’re after?
Washin Paint do various kinds of varnishes. I can usually find some of their products in home centers, but I’ve bought them through Amazon when I couldn’t find the product or color I wanted in the shop. It looks like you can also buy direct.
For example, there is a [‘semi gloss’ clear oil-based polyurethane varnish](https://www.washin-paint.co.jp/product/type/oil-based/external-urethane-varnish/node_5141/semi-gloss) that sounds like it *may* be a bit closer to what you want. It is exterior grade, but also suitable for interior use. They also make [oil-based stains](https://www.washin-paint.co.jp/product/type/oil-based/oil-stain/300/maple).