Petriwood or Cedarshield

[Lakeside]

I've been researching Petriwood and/or Cedarshield for a new deck and also to seal some projects that I am making with the old treated material that I took off the deck. The old stuff might be CCA, I'm not sure, so I want to seal it before putting it to use. I'm making benches and tables and things. Has anyone ever used these products? They sound great! If they work, they'd seem be a good investment. Can you help, please?

David

[Beth n Rod]

Are you a home owner or a contractor?
Beth

[Lakeside]

Happy Homeowner.

[Beth n Rod]

I was not able to find an MSDS for either of the products which is essential in determining it's suitability and voc compliance where we are.

Second, you will not find any fans here of products containing silicone ingredients due to the problems it can create within the wood and future applications.

I am not contesting the product or its claims at this point because it is too new and has no verifiable field results for applicators like ourselves to offer.

I would like to issue a beware due to the lack of product data sheets or msds which help one to determine the application measures, preparatory information and maintenance procedures necessary when dealing with either of these products...beforehand.

The sites that promote them are full of sales pitches but lack any real life application validations.

At this point, I am very skeptical at best.

Rod!~

[Lakeside]

Thanks. There is another, apparently similar, product called Cretowood. The Creto company has been around for a long time. I couldn't find data sheets, but they say the product is organic and don't recommend any protective gear for application. Can you expand a bit on your concerns about "problems it can create within the wood and future applications." Also, if this stuff starts the petrification process, why doesn't it protect against UV? I've got an inquiry into the company and am waiting for a reply. I'll post what they say.

Also, I see you do cob blasting. Do you travel? Thanks again for your input.

[Beth n Rod]

Thanks. There is another, apparently similar, product called Cretowood. The Creto company has been around for a long time. I couldn't find data sheets, but they say the product is organic and don't recommend any protective gear for application. Can you expand a bit on your concerns about "problems it can create within the wood and future applications." Also, if this stuff starts the petrification process, why doesn't it protect against UV? I've got an inquiry into the company and am waiting for a reply. I'll post what they say.

Also, I see you do cob blasting. Do you travel? Thanks again for your input.

Silicone as an ingredient in a sealer leaves its constituents behind in the wood and they are colorless. The problem occurs upon reapplication where it actually repels the new product and prevents penetration.
While some may call this effect desirable for repelling water, for those who do not like the product and/or are looking to conduct maintenance, the process becomes more arduous then most know how to contend with or are willing to pay for.

I don't have any comments on its UV protective capabilities as there is no relative information available regarding it other than the claims.

In regard to cob blasting, I noticed you are in Arkansas. This would be an expensive option for you to have us travel that far...your thoughts?

Rod!~

[PressurePros]

I have sold CretoWood in my online store so I am familiar with the type of product you are seeking.

These products contain a silica that cures over time acting as a petrifying agent. Keep in mind that petrifying wood and protecting it from UV rays are two different things.

The two environmental factors that affect wood are UV (sunlight) and moisture. Using a CretoWood type product will help with moisture issues and stabilize the wood. But.. sunlight has to be reflected or absorbed by pigment. That pigment becomes sacrificial. That simply means that for a time the pigment in the product will be taking the hit instead of the wood. Eventually that pigment will give up its life and fade and then disappear. This is when graying starts.

I liked the Cretowood because it penetrated the wood. As long as one doesn't overapply and form a film, this means the top layer of wood acts the same as any other untreated wood. You can wash it and restain it every two years. The advantage of these silica sealers is that the wood is stabilized.

As far as 25 year warranties... don't believe the hype. The surface of wood always has to be maintained regularly to look good.

[plainpainter]

I haven't incorporated cretowood into my regular staining yet - but I have been installing lots of pressure stair treads and floor boards. And where homeowners want to go with a 'Porch & Floor' style paint - I pre-treat the boards with this product. I don't like painting exterior wood decking with paint. But at least I know half the battle of water penetrating the paint film and drenching the wood is now over.

[Lakeside]

Thanks for all the helpful replies! I think I will pass on the Cretowood and just go for a good tinted waterproofer. If I had a zillion dollar deck, though, it sounds like the Cretowood is a good product! Any suggestions on "waterproofers" would be appreciated. The deck gets direct, hot sun. I see some in my log home catalog for $50+ per gallon, but I can get some at Lowe's for $15/gal. I'd like to go with a water based product for easy cleanup...also, my wife is extremely sensitive to chemical smells. Thanks again!!

Rod...yes...Arkansas is a far ride, I know. I guess it was a silly thought. Is there an "associational listing" of cob blasters where I can find one closer to me? Maybe the blasting material manufacturers keep a list? Thanks.

David

[PressurePros]

David, the prep you do is over half the battle. Don't use anything with high silicone or acrylic content and you will be fine.

[Beth n Rod]

David,
You can continue your inquiries here and see if anyone spots your post.
Just title it something like Arkansas: cob blasting or the like and a member who is in that area might contact you.

Rod!~

[roberta]

I've been researching Petriwood and/or Cedarshield for a new deck and also to seal some projects that I am making with the old treated material that I took off the deck. The old stuff might be CCA, I'm not sure, so I want to seal it before putting it to use. I'm making benches and tables and things. Has anyone ever used these products? They sound great! If they work, they'd seem be a good investment. Can you help, please?

David

I believe when one looks into purchasing a product like PETRI-WOOD (THE PRODUCT ABOVE IN QUESTION) for a specific project they should look at all the facts and research on that product and not listen to people who have not researched or used said product as you will find out below. So when looking into new alternative wood products that are not a plain water sealer which needs to be applied every 2 to 3 years, but wood penetrants one should look at the science and the facts. The product in question is petri-wood which in fact is a product when sprayed on only one side penetrates completely through the wood media (heart wood) all the way to the other side. It is currently being used on more than 11 miles of platforms for the Chicago Transit Authority and Ft. Lewis Military Installations cement buildings. Just two of the many projects this product is currently be used on.
It was tested by Iowa St. U & Mississippi St U for the USDA FEDERAL BIO-PREFERRED PROGRAM (which none of the products being compared too above are involved in except PETRI-WOOD) signed by the president and Congress which allows only products that are 100% natural and have been tested and proven as good as if not better than there chemical counterparts. As noted above by another comment that the company does not post there MSDS sheet on there web site is false they in fact do along with a 90 page University study. So in order to make a good buying decision sometimes one must research for themselves. The product in question petri-wood in fact is either being used, brokered or endorsed by the following :
Lee R. Gjovik
University of Minnesota M.S. Degrees, wood science and technology B.S., wood science and technology chairman S-2 Wood Preservation Research Committee President American Wood-Preservers' Association
Member American Wood-Preservers' Association International Union of Forestry Research Organizations Division 5 on Wood Preservation Society of Wood Preservation

Dr. George Jenkins, noted canadian wood scientist U. of New Brunswich Can. qoutes "The science of this invention triggers the early stages of petrification of wood" C. Wayne smith heads up Texas A & M Archaeological Preservation Research Lab. qoutes "it is the SILVER BULLET the industry has been waiting for" scott miller application Engineer for Dow Corning Corp. agrees with Smith. Dr. Robert Adams Baylor U. support the claims as noted in his 1992 publications. The above mentioned product has obviously got its scientific backing and how it works is the product penetration of the hydroxyl group molecular structure where upon entrance it becomes a water scavenger (unlike water based products, this is a solvent 100% all natural) completely eliminating any free or bound water in the wood. The hydrogen tail of the molecule is then collapsed and no further moisture can enter the wood cellular structure, thus leaving the media 100% dimensionally stable, an objective not obtainable with kiln dry methods. "The absence of moisture is the absence of issues" no warping, bending, cupping, splitting, rot or disease. After researching this product i believe you will find no other product on the market including the ones mentioned above that has this many endorsements nor does what this product does. Petri-Wood even puts an additional 25 year warranty when applied to utility poles already in use. Before you use any product you must first research the facts not people who claim to know a product or web site when in fact all this info. is clearly on there site including the MSDS sheet. See for yourself.

[PressurePros]

Roberta please fill out your signature line though there is little doubt whom you represent. We are not opposed to intelligent presentation of facts. Through the years many products have been presented to wood professionals that had great science.. on paper. What the scientists and wood preservation experts fail to address is the aesthetics of the wood. The wood can be dimensionally stable 100%.. a fine feature. But homeowners also want their deck to look good.

Please correct me if I am wrong. There is no pigment that is not sacrificial to UV. ie at some point the pigment will be history and the wood will turn gray. Many people can accept that in a fence.. not their deck though. One outstanding question with these types of products has been the ability to apply a pigmented sealer over them. If you have further data and evidence in the form of real world pictures of decks that have been both chemically petrified AND stained consistently with a pigmented product, that would go a long towards convincing wood professionals of the efficacy of the product.

[RPetry]

Any product named Petri-Wood has got to be good.

[James]

I 've researched the product fairly well. It's prefect for the type of projects you describe big and to costly to maintain down the road. All the questions and ideas I had for use could not be answered and there was no data to go by.