X-100 Natural Seal - Problem?

[5 Star Johnny]

Two parts here. Does anyone use the X-100 Natural Seal products, and have you experienced any problems with it. Specifically, the pre-finish product.

Before this season, we have applied the product in 2 steps. Pre-finish, then deck finish. We do annual maintenance on all our decks, and were using the pre-finish for any maintenance coats. The formula for these have changed, and now we will be applying only one coat of deck finish.

Last year's maintenance decks all looked great, other than typical winter dirt, leaf marks, etc. This year, we are seeing a TON of black, sooty like attachment. I believe some of this may be tannin bleed on the cedar decks, but is so widespread that the horizontals have all darkened considerably.

With 1 or 2 exceptions, it is cleaning up just fine, but the exceptions are bothering me. I'm just wondering if this has to do with the product, and why they may have changed the formulas. Does anyone experience this issue with other product? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PetersonDecks]

x-100 problem

Hey 5 star Johnnie, my primary stain for the last 6 years was x-100 natural seal specifically cedar tone gold, use on 80% of decks i stained, they have been screwing with there formula making to environmental friendly, i.e. black streaking and inconsistent results. They are taking out the pre-finish product now and trying to reimburse companies for there problems with the black coming up. Tired of dealing with them plus the new price is approaching about $34/gallon (contractor price). Diosappointed with results so i am going to readyseal instead, i still do my redo's with x-100 but all new decks i use readyseal. good luck with x-100!!! Peterson Deck Restoration

 

[5 Star Johnny]

Thanks for your reply. I am aware of the formula change, although we were not made aware that we were using the new formula in fall of last year, which caused some concern for me. We identified some of the problem, which in not necessarily the product, but more the slow drying characteristic and tons of airborne pollens and such getting trapped in the material. We are seeing the heaviest attachment problems in high foliage areas where the deck does not receive much sunlight and surrounded with trees, etc. We can fix the issue and do not expect this to be an annual problem. However, we are keeping our eyes open for other options.

When you said ABR was reimbursing contractors because of the issue, are you speaking from experience, or hear say? We will be proposing reimbursement and any info. on what they've been doing with other contractors would be helpful. Again, thanks for your input.