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To clarify, oil-based poly’s are poison. Water-based poly’s can be healthy and great, or poison and great, or poison and crap. All top-coat polys typically require sanding to refinish.<BR>
Oil-based penetrating finishes can be beautiful, durable, natural (even organic), and healthy. What’s real nice about these finishes is that you can easily patch and repair and top-coat, should never need to sand and refinish.<BR>
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I sell a lot of:<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><UL><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Osmo Polyx Oil – apply it thin and work it in. When in doubt, use less. That’s the key to success. Airports in Europe use it. A lot of pros just can’t figure this out b/c it’s the opposite of what they’re used to and they don’t do “new and different” well.
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>AFM Safecoat Oil-Wax penetrating finish, which is an organic mix of plant oils and plant waxes. Not as strong as Polyx Oil for a floor (very popular for furniture, trims, beams, etc)
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Vermont Naturals – a very nice one-part water-based poly. Works well, good product.
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>AFM Safecoat Polyureseal – a very nice one-part water-based poly, more expensive. The choice for a real glossy sheen. Unique in that it helps to seal in offgassing you’ve applied another finish that is creating an IAQ problem.<BR>
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I sell lesser amounts of Pure Tung Oil, which is as pure as it gets but it’s a labor of love. Several coats, takes days b/w coats. Polymerized tung oil is basterdized; doesn’t count in the green world if health counts.<BR>
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Bona Traffic is a 2-part water-based poly that can be very nice and durable, but is a little more complicated to apply b/c it’s 2-parts (mix a hardener in).<BR>
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Rubio Monocoat has been getting more popular. Another penetrating finish. One comment I’ve heard is that it sometimes can feel TOO thin on the wood.<BR>
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HTH,<BR>
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Jason<BR>
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On 5/13/15 11:14 AM, "Allison Friedman" <<a href="afriedman@rateitgreen.com">afriedman@rateitgreen.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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Help - my floors are going to end up oil-based. And that makes NO sense.<BR>
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I keep thinking that it tool me too long to get Rate It Green to where I wanted it to be as a foundation, and then I run into people who think green is some distant nice idea that doesn’t really work. So I am both sort of depressed not he one hand that not everyone cares, and also hopeful I can still help make a huge difference.<BR>
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And for now, I really need this product - and I know there are great flooring finishes out there that won’t kill us. RIGHT? <BR>
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Thanks. <BR>
Allison<BR>
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Begin forwarded message:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'><FONT FACE="Helvetica, Verdana, Arial"><B>From: </B>Allison Friedman <<a href="afriedman@rateitgreen.com">afriedman@rateitgreen.com</a>><BR>
<B>Subject: Need a Floor Refinishing Product Recommendation<BR>
Date: </B>May 13, 2015 at 11:06:27 AM EDT<BR>
<B>To: </B><a href="greenbuilding@lists.bioenergylists.org">greenbuilding@lists.bioenergylists.org</a><BR>
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Hi everyone - <BR>
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I need a recommendation for a great and durable eco friendly floor finishing product, as we're refinishing our wood floors this summer. I was surprised that at this time of the green building movement when I asked the subcontractor for some eco options and got a shrug and an offer to use a water-based top coat (only) "if I wanted." Yes, I want to use low or no VOC products for the environment and also for my family. <BR>
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I posted this on RIG’s site, and of course I would love to start a discussion on the topic. But really, I just need the advice - and I want the information to be getting out there for others too, in any venue. <a href="http://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions/products/i-need-a-fabulous-water-based-poly-or-other-eco-floor-coating/697">http://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions/products/i-need-a-fabulous-water-based-poly-or-other-eco-floor-coating/697</a><BR>
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I am working to promote green building products and services, and sometimes I forget that it's not automatic to ask about environmentally friendlier options and to think this way. I thought this would be easier and I could really use a super recommendation (the key is just to get the information out there so we can support these positive products and so in this case we can breathe a bit better too). <BR>
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Are you also surprised when you go out into the real world and assume there will be eco options - and then people don’t seem to be as enthusiastic as let’s say the people and companies were at the last green building event you attended? <BR>
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I want to hear about products people out there really believe in - and I want to go back and say here, this comes recommended. We’re using it.<BR>
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Thanks!<BR>
Allison<BR>
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</FONT></SPAN><FONT SIZE="1"><FONT FACE="Helvetica, Verdana, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'>Allison Friedman<BR>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Helvetica, Verdana, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Rate It Green<BR>
www.rateitgreen.com <<a href="http://www.rateitgreen.com/">http://www.rateitgreen.com/</a>> <BR>
@rateitgreen<BR>
@MAGreenbuilding<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">@NYGreenbuilding<BR>
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