I also use and love the stuff.
I dip just like the rest of the guys.
I do strain mine being I buy it by the gallon with the cheap strainers you can buy at home depot (highly recommended)
It does dry SLOOOWly! You can speed it up a bit with a heat box. I wont tell you mine for fear of burning someones house down..lets just say my little buddy heater gets some extra use LOL. I'd like to build a box using lights instead but have never bothered. I plan on making a rod building drying box and doubling it for just this purpose.
I will say this, it target burns just like MOST softer finishes badly. Nothing a bar of soap doesnt fix. If you want a no burn finish try the massey finish. Nothing else comes close when it comes to lack of target burn. Its also extremely waterproof, and super slow drying lol. More compatiblity issues.
Grey it works great for waterproofing where gl is terrible!
I prefer to use 400 or 600 grit paper between coats and tack cloth versus steel wool. I do steel wool when i get lazy
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I also prefer the gloss over the satin. They say gloss is the hardest....you can dull it down with paper or sw if you want. i dont see the need. If an animal is close enough to spook from a glossy shaft it had better be dead!