Earthpaint

Excellent IPE info on this thread. For what it's worth here are a few pics of a Cashew based resin we use on Ipe. The Ipe is scrubbed with Lime Clean which neutralizes the tannic acid and opens the pores. Then it's best sanded with 50 grit but that is not done in this test. These boards are clear. No stain. It compares a conventional penetrating linseed oil based natural deck stain to a new film forming water based deck stain to a film of the Mountain XT cashew resin. Weathering was horizontal, full weather exposure, mountainside with moist shady mornings and then bright midday and evening sun. Most of the time a single penetrating stain of the Mountain XT is applied on Ipe but many people want that rich, exotic brownish red hue and so this test demonstrates how that is achieved. Finish Schedule: New Ipe 4/2009 Rainforest Sealer Clear 00 Brushed x 1 12/2009 - 9 months Lime Clean Rainforest Sealer Clear 00 Mountain XT Clear 00 x 2 5/2011 - 17 months Pics taken, XT in good shape, 6/2011 - 18 Months Lime Clean and Roll on a coat of Mountain XT Clear 00. 6/2013 - ? The first and second Lime Clean wash did a lot of good and without it the stain wouldn't penetrate. Sanding would have improved these results but was omitted since most homeowners wouldn't do it. The water based product is not Defy. Regardless, this is not a pigment test. Fading of pigment says more about that pigment color than it does for the stain. There is no pigment added because clear is more revealing. Stain colors improve these results. PICS after 15 and 17 Months of Weathering. 1: New Water Based vs XT Cashew Based. 2: Lime Clean (I believe that wood type is Ironwood, similar to Ipe.). 3: 15 Month Old Mountain XT Close Up. 4: New Water Based vs Mountain XT Cashew Based. 5: Oil vs XT (this is the edge section of pic 3.