Green finishing options

[Nick Mauer]

Hi all,

Just wanted to start a thread to share some links on greener finishes. If anyone knows of a company or product that fits the category, please list it here. I think this could be a great ongoing resource for safer finishes as more and more products hit the market.

To start off the list -

Products I've used:
http://www.seal-once.com/
Zero-VOC, plant-based penetrating sealer and waterproofer. Still assessing the long-term durability of this one.

http://www.afmsafecoat.com/index.php
I've only used the AFM Naturals clear penetrating oil on a small test piece of a Bamboo panel. Product went on well, but Bamboo is pretty water-resistant as-is, so it's hard to say how well it worked on that particular material.

Products I have NOT used:
If anyone has any experience with any of these products, I'd love to hear their thoughts.

http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/
I'm most interested in the Exterior penetrating wood stain

http://www.earthpaint.net/
There are some really strange, yet enthusiastic product descriptions on this page. Most products are made from a cashew resin.

http://www.penofin.com/
A lot of Brazilian rosewood oil-based finishing products. Their Verde line claims 99% UV protection in an eco-friendly finish.


So that should get the list started! If anyone else has any links to share or input or experience with these finishes, please let us know!

Thanks!

[Chuck Darney]

What about Shellac? I suppose you could eat the flakes if you felt so inclined.

[Nick Mauer]

What about Shellac? I suppose you could eat the flakes if you felt so inclined.

Shellac is great! Should definitely be on this list.

As far as eating it though - who wants to eat beetle poo?

[David Hawxhurst]

Shellac is great! Should definitely be on this list.

As far as eating it though - who wants to eat beetle poo?

m&m's use shellac to keep them from melting in your hand. many other foods and medicine use shellac in them.

[John Lanciani]

Tried & True, one of the original lines of safer and friendlier finishes; http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/

[Nick Mauer]

m&m's use shellac to keep them from melting in your hand. many other foods and medicine use shellac in them.

Oh yeah, I know, just trying to make a joke.

Can you imagine though, a more realistic tagline/motto for M&M's? Instead of a "thin candy shell," a "thin beetle poop shell." Or "Bayer - now with an easy-to-swallow insect dung coating."

[Nick Mauer]

Tried & True, one of the original lines of safer and friendlier finishes; http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/

Thanks for sharing! I did not know about this company, but am anxious to try their products. I appreciate the simplicity of a company that focuses on just 3 products done right.

[David Hawxhurst]

Oh yeah, I know, just trying to make a joke.

Can you imagine though, a more realistic tagline/motto for M&M's? Instead of a "thin candy shell," a "thin beetle poop shell." Or "Bayer - now with an easy-to-swallow insect dung coating."

now thats funny

[David Hawxhurst]

i've tried it. its easy to use a seems to hold up fairly low, but then again i now using on a high abuse item.

[Scott Connell]

I've used the Vermont Natural Coatings product on a variety of projects (all interior though) and I like it. In terms of water based poly type products, I've found this one pretty easy to work with. Like all water based products, you have very little working time so best to use quality brushes to apply it. It is a bit expensive but I've come to like it and feel that it actually does add a bit of "depth" to the wood grain; not as much as an oil finish but close. Plus it dries quickly so if you don't have time to wait for oil finishes to dry/cure, this is a good substitute.

Another finish that I really like is Osmo PolyX. Not sure it is truly "green", but it has eco friendly elements and leaves a very luxurious finish. Info can be found here: http://www.osmona.com/index.html

[Kent A Bathurst]

Not exactly within your line of thought, but milk paint qualifies.

[Randy Goodhew]

now thats funny

What's really funny is that M&M's aren't coated with shellac, and that shellac isn't bug poo.

[Kent A Bathurst]

What's really funny is that M&M's aren't coated with shellac......

Not today, but used to be according to my readings.

I still get my dose in the daily baby-aspirin blood pressure management regimen.

[Nick Mauer]

That Osmo finish sounds interesting. Germany is becoming quite the green country.

Milk paint totally qualifies!

We are just about to receive a few gallons of a not-yet-on-the-market polyurethane alternative from the makers of SealOnce. They are claiming zero-VOC, water-based, biodegradable, with a significant degree of UV protection. They said they left a piece of wood, treated with this stuff, out in the weather in southern Florida for over a year, and so far no cracking or greying. I'm like "whoa."

Maybe it's too good to be true, but we're going to test it out.

[Stan Calow]

I've used the Penofin Verde on some garden benches. Seems to have held up well through two summers and a winter.