Ceramithane

[jeffex11]

My latest edition of JOBSITE magazine lists a product by Muralo Paints that claims it is a waterbourne acrylic-urethane clear coating. It has sunscreens and is an interior -exterior product. I have always said that if I could find a product that was water based and gave a wet look finish that prevented wood from graying I would make a killing. I want to try it with sand added as a deck coating. I'm aware of the drawbacks of polyurethane on deck floors but it may be ok for rails. I like to research new ideas and try them out on my deck before I unleash them on my customers. I have e-mailed the co. to try some of the product . I was wondering if anyone here has tried this product.

 

[Aplus]

I've never used it, but I can say without hesitation that sooner or later it is going to fail, and how the heck are you going to strip it?

It is imperative to me to be able to easily strip any product that I apply because I have a large base of customers that contract me to exclusively maintain their deck. I'm not looking for something that looks good today, but is a pain in the butt tomorrow.

 

[EXTREME]

what if you could charge a nice premium and not have to strip and reseal for 10 years. just stop by and do a very quick wash/rinse once a year for 10 years? Would that be worth it to you?

 

[jeffex11]

A+ I agree ! that is why I would like to try the product first. Chances are it will scuff off a deck surface eventually. I would like to se if it can be cleaned and re-coated or if it would have to be stripped. Currently our base of customers call back after 2- 5 years depending on how deep their pockets are and how perticular they are about their deck. A few rich ones have thier deck done every year even though I don't think it need it. I think the holey grail of this business would be a product that could give 5 yrs of protection from uv graying and leave the natural look of [blone] pressure treated wood with a wet look finish.

 

[Dale Walkowsk]

jeffx11..is it spec'd for horizontal surfaces? it would seem that any film-forming finish would wear thru in the traffic zones and once that happens its going to start to look like crap and peel.

 

[jeffex11]

I got an e-mail from the company today. They have no sales oultet in my area. The closest one is about 1hrs drive so they will try and make arrangements for some samples for me to try. I will try it this spring on my deck. Again I agree that deck surfaces may not work but rails might. The only way I'll know is to try.

 

[Aplus]

Why bother with the rails if you can't also use it on the floor? The rails always outlast the floor anyway. And why would you want the two to look and perform differently?

Mike,
I think it would be a very hard sell to convince a customer that you have a product that could last ten years. At least at this point in time most customers will not buy into it. Most are accustomed to being disappointed with the longevity of what's currently available. Even if there was a product that provided superior longevity, I'd still be concerned with how it will be to maintain, because sooner or later I'd be there having to re-do it.

Without spending a lot of time pondering it, I'd question what impact a ten year product would have on my revenue stream.

 

[jeffex11]

I agree that customers are used to the current turnover rate for having their deck done. My goal was never to look for a 10 year product. My goal is to look for a uv protected non-graying relatively clear coating that will give a wet look and keep the natural blonde color of southern yellow pine. Oh yeah and if if is re-coatable and removable then it would be IMHO the perfect product. Soon more people will opt to pay for the trex type decks if there are no improvements in the coatings for pt wood. again IMHO

 

[jeffex11]

like this. I finaly got my product info package from the company that makes ceramithane and it says right on the label "not for decks" oh well!!