Wolman versus Ready Seal!

JR Wood

New Member
OK, This is going to be long winded.One of my main competitors has gone out of business.He was using Wolman products and it seems every customer I talk to will not even entertain the idea of using any other product.I tried to explain that their are other products out there,that look and perform as well.I was trying to sell Ready Seal to them.It is kind of difficult to sell a product that you never used,but given the rave reviews from everyone who uses it,I want to start using it and you have to start somewhere.I have been using Olympic Natural Look Protector Plus and I have been very happy with it,it goes on extremely easy,dries fast and looks great.The problem I have with that is it uses the same waterproofing system as Ready Seal.It soaks into the wood and bonds with the fibers waterproofing the fibers but leaving the pores open so wood can breath naturally an release any trapped moisture that can get in from the bottom or wherever(I hope that's the correct explaination,hopefully Chris Detter will correct me if I'm wrong) The only draw back to the Olympic is it doesn't bead water and unfortunately the customer has been conditioned to believe that beading is good.Which is what Wolman's does,it soaks in and waterproofs everything including the pores.
NOW…I need to hear from Ready Seal users about color retention(the drawback with Olympic N.L.P.P is that it uses clay for U.V protection and the fact that water is allowed to enter the pores after a while the clay is forced to the surface and the deck starts to turn a flesh color almost like a light coat of flesh colored stain,At least that is my theory!) I want to know what to expect after 1 year ,2 years? Is it easy to clean and maintain?What color do most customers choose?( I noticed when I got samples there was a large bottle of light brown which leads me to believe that this is the one) How do I coherently explain the difference and the benefits.One of the benefits to me is the ease of application which in the long run gets passed down to the customer because of less time and effort applying product.I have nothing against Wolman,I just like not having to worry about drip marks,lap marks, rain and all the other benefits that go with Ready Seal.
 
L

LightningClean

Guest
You said it best when you said that the "customer has been conditioned" to belive that beading is better. It is your job on the other hand to explain to them the difference. The biggest difference to me is the fact that the water isnt beading on the surface with good or quality sealers. What happens (and not in therory)is the water sitting on the surface with sunlight beaming down through those little beads of water act like a magnifing glass which intensiifies the suns damaging effects. If the water is shed from the surface (as with a quality or shedding sealer) the suns rays do a quick and complete drying of the surface. If the surface is dry with no moisture on it there is less a chance of molds and mildews accumulating. Mold, mildew, dirt and moisture are sealers biggest enemies. If you eliminate them through better sealers and proper maintenance, you in fact save money by not having to seal as often or do costly repairs caused by these things that the quality sealer protects you from.

Now on another note I do not know anything about Ready Seal, but I will add that I have heard nothing but great things about it. I have intention of talking to Chris Detter about this sealer as I feel that if it is as good as everyone says it is it would make a great addition to my cleaning products. I feel through talking to Chris Detter in e-mail that he is a quality kinda guy even though I still disagree with the BLEACH thing on decks (but that is at each persons own disgresion of what to use).
I have been cleaning decks for a long time (longer than I want to admit) and I can tell you that everyone here that is just now getting into it you are so lucky the advancements they have made in the last 5 years. I have used a lot of things in my time, even Thompson's when it first came out and it use to be a very good product at one time before they took it to the home depot level and they made it weeker. It use to actually last two years. Now if you get a month out of it you are lucky. I use Wolman and a couple of others. I could tell you all about the ones to stay away from but I belive that is not fair. I can tell you that if I were you (I'm going to)I'd at least give Ready Seal a try.
As far as color with sealers (from what I understand) the medium colors provide the longest UV protection, but that has a lot to do with maintenance and proper cleaning also.

Rob
 

Chris@sunbrite

New Member
Hey Guy's Thanks for the kind words, Y'all are gonna make my head swell.

Let me try to address some of the things mentioned above.
1. Ready Seal color retention and most popular.
We find that the Natural Cedar color is the most popular. It has just enough of the right pigments to look natural and still block the sun ray's and hold its color. while at the same time does't make the deck too dark. We love it, it's that natural warm tone that people want,
2. Wolmans is very well run company, They have helped many contractors over the years get started, and become succesfull. I too began in the wood business through Wolman. I know many of the wood guys there and have made some great friends. They make good sealers. I just find that here in south our special sun and mildew problem we have along with the extreme weather changes that Ready Seal is one that works for me. I can always be proud to run into a passed customer in the grocery store. They all say "Man my deck still looks good" That's all any of want to hear. I hope I answered the questions that were asked, Y'all have a great evening Chris Detter
 

Tom Mobley

New Member
Hey Guys,

Just wanted to put in my two cents. I have been doing decks for years. 85% of my decks are coated with Wolman and Super deck . I have a business in Pennsylvania. I get the hot weather, cold weather and snow. I use Wolman and Super deck because their the only ones I found to protect in all these elements. Remember just because something works in the south doesn't mean it will work in your area. Nothing against other products. I have learned the hard way--from my mistakes.
 

Rob53

New Member
Where can I find out more about Ready Seal? I have been using Wolmans but am having a hard time finding it in my area now. Any info would be appreciated.
TRhanks,
Rob
 

Chris@sunbrite

New Member
Hey Rob

Thanks for asking about Ready Seal.
You call either Pete or me at Sun Brite Services in Lawrenceville, Ga.
(Suburb of Atlanta)at 770-277-6363 or check out our web site www.sunbritedecks.com we also have other wood cleaning chemicals and supplies, we have an area called (ask a pro) for any questions you may have, the letter come right to me. But if its a question that everyone would like to hear please ask it on this great bulletin board.
Thanks again Chris Detter
 

PressurePros

New Member
Baker's here.

[video=youtube;jCI7_f-9OO4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCI7_f-9OO4[/video]

[video=youtube;tcOwW506dgA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcOwW506dgA[/video]
 

archie_MN

Moderator
I use and love RS. The only downside I've come across is the limited color selection. Otherwise, it's great. It goes down quickly, cleans up easily, the price is nice, and I can warrantee it for 2 years. Feel free to call me if you have questions.
 

Doug Rucker

PWN ADMIN TEAM -
Staff member
Great videos Ken. I recognize the song n the second one. One True Media. You still use that or is there something better out there. I too like Bakers. Did a boat dock resto last year and loved it.
 

PressurePros

New Member
Great videos Ken. I recognize the song n the second one. One True Media. You still use that or is there something better out there. I too like Bakers. Did a boat dock resto last year and loved it.

Thanks, Doug. OTM is great for throwing together quick and simple videos.

I have used Baker's for awhile now. We generally do two topcoats on all horizontal surfaces whether we use Bakers or something more expensive like Armstrong so the cost for usage is hard to beat. The Baker's holds up very well for maintenance too. A quick bleach clean and topcoating can be done easily.
 

PressurePros

New Member
Armstrong Clark Deck Stain

Here is an older video using some Armstrong sealer. I don't like the colors as much as I do the Baker's but the product is nice with better coverage rates on verticals.

[video=youtube;oj8Gul18zqU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj8Gul18zqU&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 

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