eco-friendly sealer?

[Tammyf]

I did a presentation yesterday for a nice size job. He is very interested in getting the work done but he wants an eco-friendly sealer for his deck and not the sealer we recommend. Has anyone had any experience or know of any "green" sealer? This is the first I've been hit with this question.

[PressurePros]

Armstrong Clarke meets all states VOC requirements. If you want cleaner than that, you have to go with a water borne.

[Tammyf]

We recommended Ready Seal and went over all the VOC requirements with him etc. He wants complete natural. I said I would look around but made no promises.

[CarolinaProWash]

"complete natural" is going to be complete mold/mildew within a month - stains/sealers that are effective have mildewcides and fungicides and all kinds of "cides" to help protect the wood. "Complete natural" won't have those and the wood is going to go downhill from there.

[Tammyf]

I know. Out of all these years, this one threw me for a loop. No amount of talking did any good. He insisted that there had to be something out there. I said I would look and that was the best I could do but was doubtful. Now I wish I would have let the phone ring for this one.

[CarolinaProWash]

If he called you to perform a service, you should take the role of the professional. If the guy wants something completely natural on his deck, tell him you can put straight linseed down and be back every month to clean it.

I'm all for preserving the earth and all that but some of this stuff is just over the top IMO. But by all means, help him to promote nature's growth (of mold & mildew LOL) Did you go the route of - you have to have preservatives in certain woods. If he had wanted to be an all natural sort, he should have picked a hardwood

[Tammyf]

I spent an hour talking to him about how sealers work etc. I don't want to put my name to something that isn't going to look good and be something we can be proud of. I did my job of looking around and asking. Didn't think it would hurt. It will have to be a real sealer. This all comes from a guy who owns a fleet of buses.

[CarolinaProWash]

Don't beat yourself up - he's being silly. You've done your job as a professional - decks aren't buses

[Tammyf]

Thanks. I was hoping I wasn't the only one thinking this was crazy. Oh well I'm busy enough once the wood dries up.

[Adrian]

TammyF, please go to "my controls" and complete your signature.
Thx. Good luck with that customer.

[RPetry]

... This all comes from a guy who owns a fleet of buses.

Tammy,

Tell Mr. GreenJeans you only ride hydrogen powered buses and call it a draw.

[Tonyg]

I have looked into the eco paint products fairly extensively and found these on some of the web sites I had bookmarked:

- Wood Stains- Interior/exterior by Bioshield Natural Paints

AFM Safecoat

Earth Safe Finishes Generation Green Stain Sealer

ECO-HOUSE INC - Oil Finishes


I have not had the opportunity to try it the Bioshield or AFM paints but they are suppossed to have pretty good paint. I would probably check into those first. I doubt any of these would offer serious protection against foot traffic though but it would serve its purpose for all natural.

PS: The AC is 68% recycled product and I am sure Jake could fill you in on any of the ingredients that your customer may find offensive.

[Beth n Rod]

Tammy - Anything you buy in your state will be VOC compliant.

Please go to your My Controls and add your signature.
Thanks.
Beth

[Scott Paul]

All Defy Products are registered with the MPI as a "green" wood stain. Just because other stains are VOC compliant that does not mean they are green. If he wants a "crystal" clear sealer then go with the new Defy Extreme. It's the first of its kind and I have seen it on wood for 9 months with zero fading:

Defy Extreme Stain

[plainpainter]

Tammy - you have to think of yourself as a 'consultant' - basically you are consulted for a job - and you tell the folks what you think and what service you offer and how it fits them or doesn't. 5 years ago I thought it was my job to meet every homeowners requirements. But now I know better. I 'walk' constantly - it hurt in terms of sales - or lack thereof. But I have since corrected the problem with more effective advertizing to acquire more sales leads.

Tammy - there are alot of lopey people out there. If you allow folks to take the easy route by telling them 'yes' all the time - of course they will take the option. You'll learn
once you start telling folks how you conduct your business and if it doesn't suit their needs - that you understand perfectly - you'll find more people will come around and give you a call back.