Kevin H.

Rod, Good points. Understanding products and assesing each project is important. To say that a product is wrong for every project everywhere is a pretty broad stroke. That is why when I work with contractors throughout my area, we try to go over different projects and processes that may be suitable for that certain situation. Sometimes the answer may be an oil and sometimes it may be an acrylic. Sometimes it may be a clear and sometimes it may be a solid. Just like Dean Faber said in the classic movie Animal House - "Knowledge is Power". Thanks, Kevin

Rick, So I guess you don't like acrylics. Point taken. I am glad that you like the Austrailian oil. I think it's a pretty good one as well. Cabot does have an acrylic stripper. It is thick like a gel but does a very nice job on removing acrylics. I wil have to agree that I have seen some nasty acrylic projects in my rounds. It was definatley a learning process for me doing projects in the north compared to the south. My application had to be adjusted almost job by job. And on cedar was a whole different story v.s. the mass amounts of pt. in the south. Acrylic products are not for everyone or every project. I like Russell's music analogy. I can say that I would have a hard time suggesting Austrailin Timber Oil or any oil product for a dock in Florida for the following reasons. First the UV rays will break down an oil much faster. Second the humidity will lead to a breading ground for mildew Third the EPA. They are very strick about what goes into the water and like to pass out big fines. I think that acrylics and oils each have there place.

Guys, Love the discussion and great questions. Hopefully I can hit on most of your points. First off Brent I like your thought process. Let's talk through some of these issuse before we hang the guy. Rick - As far as acrylic strippers there are a few good ones out there. Not to honk the Cabot horn, but Cabot does have an acrylic stripper that works great on acrylics. Yes it does cost about $30-$35 per gallon. But put in on give it 10-20 minutes and you will be able to rub your finger nail accross it and be down to bare wood. As I mentioned there are other manufacures that have acrylic strippers that do a decent job. I have also played around with some of the new soy based strippers. They are less expensive, but seem to take more time and product to produce the results I am looking for. Ken - Great question on maintenance. This was the easy part and nice money part of our jobs. We used to do jobs and offer a maintenance plan for our customers on a two year cycle. At that point it is a quick clean(low psi) address any bare areas and apply a one coat to flat surfaces only. The customer loved it because the cost was less than the initial application and we loved it because it was quick and easy. As I have learned from some of you, I was still leaving money on the table. I could have been providing an annual cleaning for even less and keeping my name in front of the home owner. Matt - Good listening. Yes the only time the application goes on wet is when you are applying it to bare wood. So durring a maintenance, if I was applying product to say the edge of steps that were completely worn off, yes I would touch up those areas while the wood was wet. The rest can go on dry, just like the second coat. Thanks, Kevin

Our wood restoration company was Wood Again, Inc.. I got out of it because I was selling product as well as applying it and as selling grew, my time for contractor work had to decline. There have been many a time though, that I have thought about getting back into it. But as I have heard and read, it seems like things are still the same, people want you to do miracles, they want it done yesterday and they want it for nothing. That I don't miss.

Hello all, I managed to misplace my first response, so let me fill in some holes and then you can feel free to say as you wish about me. For 12 years we had a wood restoration company. We have cleaned and sealed most wood structures. I have done projects in FL, GA, SC, NC, AL, TN, VA, IL, OH, WI and MI. During those 12 years I used nothing but acrylics. I would cring at the notion of cleaning a project and hoping that mother nature was on my side so that I could go back in a few days and finish. To me it was clean, seal and collect in the same day(depending on size of project). Over the pastg four years I have only done approx. six to ten projects a year. I now concentrate on selling products for Samuel Cabot, Inc. To say that SPF is for everybody and every project would be a huge overstatement. But the product is a nice one. I do not mean to outstep my bounds, but if I can be of any assistance, I would sure like to help. It was nice to hear that Brent had good feedbck. Thanks, Kevin

Patrick, SPF is very easy to work with, you just have to try it. It does not trap moisture into the wood. It is a breathable/flexable finish. As for stripping, I have yet to strip a project that I have done. I have stripped a lot of other finishes. And overspray is an issue no matter what product is used. The nice thing with SPF is that a wet rag will get it early or else denatured alcohol after it dries. As I mentioned before, it may not be for everyone. I just know that for me it is easy to use, very durable and I can keep my schedule a whole lot better. Thanks, Kevin

Patrick, Cabot SPF and other acrylic products do work well. Some problems could be happening from using improper cleaning solutions. SPF is one of those products that not all cleaners are compatable with the product. The wrong prep product can lead to improper adhession.