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Each coated test board used number #1 grade eastern white pine. Each board was sanded using an orbital sander with 100 grit sandpaper. All coatings were applied by the same lab technician using a synthetic bristle stain brush. Application procedures were followed according to each manufacturer’s label directions. All end end grain and sides of wood panels were thoroughly coated. The back side was coated with 2 coats of our waterborne polyurethane/acrylic varnish.
During outdoor exposure, the top portion of the boards were covered and hence not fully exposed to the weather. The appearance of the top portion of the board therefore is indicative of the original color of the stain and which allows you to see the contrast after a 6 month exposure to Florida weather. All boards were positioned on a test fence at a 45 degree angle and were southern facing.
PRODUCTS TESTED
Continental completed a 6 month testing cycle in Homestead Florida (see Q-Lab
Test Certificate) with THE FOLLOWING Products:
1. CONTINENTAL’S WEATHERSEAL Exterior Wood Stain
2. SASHCO’S Transformation
3. SIKKENS Log & Siding
4. PERMACHINK’S Ultra 2 & Advance Clear Topcoat
5. WEATHERALL
6. ABR’s Loggevity & Clear Topcoat
7. ISK BIOCIDE’S Woodguard
8. CTA’s Q8 Log Oil
9. BOND DISTRIBUTING’S Onetime
10. TIMBEROX Green
11. BIOPRESERVE Soyguard
12. VALHALLA Lifetime
13. STRUCTURE’S Nature One
14. SANSIN’S Envirostain
WHAT TO LOOK
FOR
For a proper evaluation make sure to compare WeatherSeal and its competitors
by the numbers of coats on each panel. For example, some manufacturers recommend
2 color coats plus an additional clear top coat. Those boards that have 2
coats of color and 1 coat of clear we consider a 3 coat panel and should be
evaluated with a 3 coat panel of WeatherSeal. Companies that recommend such
a 3 coat process in this test are PERMA CHINK, WEATHERALL, SANSIN, and ABR
Loggevity. Additionally, BOND DISTRIBUTING’S One Time, BIOPRESERVE Soyguard
and VALHALLA Lifetime Wood Treatment coated panels recommended one coat only
and is the reason they have only a single coat on their panels.
TEST CERTIFICATE &
REASONS FOR THIS TEST SITE
A PDF file is also included of our Q-Labs
Test Certificate which includes the testing facility’s address, phone
number and testing dates of the panels. We choose this testing facility because
of its sub-tropic location south of Miami. Testing semi-transparent wood stains
in this climate allows a relatively quick evaluation of their durability due
to the extreme weather conditions. High humidity, intense ultraviolet radiation,
periods of torrential rains, and an environment that supports rapid growth
of mildew will quickly stress any coating to its performance limits. Although
6 months may seem a short period of time, the intensity of a southern exposure
at a 45° angle in such a climate is astounding and not to be confused
with a wood stain’s performance under normal conditions. However such
a test is superior to artificial weathering tests because it is actual real
world exposure to the elements.
NOTE: Not every panel listed on the Q-Labs Test Certificate is displayed on this site because the other panels tested were for in-house R & D purposes only and which include experimental formulations for development of future products.
PRICE COMPARISONS
Finally, prices of each wood stain were obtained off the internet at various
sites.
Any questions, doubts, or confusion regarding the test results I certainly
am eager to address. Please contact me at mmcarthur@continental prod.com.
or 800-305-5869.
I gladly welcome your questions and feedback.
Michael McArthur
Technical Sales and Marketing