SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealervs. Leading Competitor Wood Sealers

Independent Accelerated Weather Test (QUV) compares three leading water based wood sealers for protecting Ipe and Pine against harmful UV rays and water damage:

• SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer (Clear)

• Competitor 1: One-Coat Exterior Sealer (Clear)

• Competitor 2: Clear Wood Protector (Two-Coat)

Testing conducted by Marschall Laboratories, Clearwater, FLRequested by U·C Coatings, LLC, Buffalo, NY

Comparative Test Results with SEAL-ONCE® Products

U-C Coatings, LLC, a leading manufacturer of wood protection products, commissioned an independent study to determine the effectiveness of its SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer versus other leading eco-friendly wood sealers. Specifically, the company wanted to determine how well SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ protected exotic wood and pressure treated lumber from harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays and water damage.

Marschall Labs, Inc., a coatings and raw materials consulting and testing laboratory in Clearwater, Florida, conducted a QUV / Accelerated Weather Test (ASTM D4587) for this study. Two competing products, were tested against SEAL-ONCE®

NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer. All were tested as clear formulas.

The test method was selected to simulate a variety of damaging weather conditions such as light, heat and water over an accelerated period of time. It is not intended to simulate local weather phenomena such as pollution, biological attack and saltwater exposure. Testing was conducted over a two-month period at intervals of 100 hours, 250 hours, 500 hours and 1,000 hours. It is reported that 1,000 hours of accelerated aging simulates up to four to six years of weathering in most regions of the country.1

A. SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer – An eco-friendly, deep penetrating, water based, ultra-low VOC formula that protects wood fibers below the surface while providing additional UV and abrasion resistance on the surface. NANO+POLY™ is non-toxic and will not harm pets, plants, people or marine life. NANO+POLY™ is intended for use on decks, exotic/tropical hardwoods, siding, fences and outdoor furniture. A set of sample boards was coated with two coats of the clear NANO+POLY™ formula, per the manufacturer’s instructions.

B. Competitor 1 – This water based, low VOC formula is offered as a clear, one-coat sealer that provides all-weather defense and waterproofs without adding color.

It is intended for use on decks, siding, fences and outdoor furniture. A set of sample boards was coated with one coat of the clear formula, per the manufacturer’s instructions.

C. Competitor 2 – This water based, low VOC formula protects against water and sun damage while maintaining the wood’s natural color. It is intended for use on decks, fences, outdoor furniture and other exterior wood. A set of sample boards was coated with two coats of the formula, per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Wood Sealers and Finishes Used in Testing

Abstract

Trial Procedure

QUV: Accelerated Weather Test (ASTM D4587)

Four boards of Ipe wood and four boards of pressure treated pine were coated with the aforementioned products and submitted for a “blind trial.” Testing was performed on a Q-Lab QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester following the ASTM “Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials.” This standard is issued under the fixed designation ASTM D4587.

The ability of a paint or coating to resist deterioration of its physical and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat and water can be very significant for many applications. ASTM D4587 is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of sunlight, moisture and heat. The exposure used in this test is not intended to simulate the deterioration caused by localized weather phenomena such as atmospheric pollution, biological attack and water exposure.

The wood samples were tested for a total of 1,000 hours with incremental readings at 250 and 500 hours.

Solar Eye QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester

1. Grossman, George W. “Correlation of Laboratory to Natural Weathering.” Presented at the 20th Cleveland Society for Coatings Technology Symposium. The Q-Lab Company.

QUV: Accelerated Weather Test (ASTM D4587)

The metrics used in ASTM D4587 (QUV) rated the sample boards on three different criteria: Fading (color stability), Loss of Adhesion and Water Repellency at the end of 1,000 hours. Each sample board was compared to its “sister” sample board that was not subjected to the QUV test to determine how well the finish performed.

As referenced in Table No. 1, after 1,000 hours of testing, simulating four to six years of weathering, SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer showed no color fading on Ipe, while the other two water based wood sealers were both given a rating of “severe darkening” for Fading/Darkening/General Appearance. Moreover, there was no loss of adhesion and the water repellency was still rated as “excellent.”

Test Results

Ipe1,000 Hours (simulates 4-6 years)

SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™

Competitor 1 Competitor 2

Fading/Darkening/General Appearance

NoneSevere Darkening/

YellowingSevere Darkening

Loss of Adhesion None None None

Water Repellency Excellent Excellent Excellent

Table No. 1

As referenced in Table No. 2, after 1,000 hours of testing, simulating four to six years of weathering, SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™ Premium Wood Sealer exhibited only “slight darkening” on Pressure Treated Pine. The other two water based wood sealers, were rated “severe darkening” for Fading/Darkening/General Appearance, as evidenced in the images below.

Pressure Treated Pine1,000 Hours (simulated 4-6 years)

SEAL-ONCE® NANO+POLY™

Competitor 1 Competitor 2

Fading/Darkening/General Appearance

Slight DarkeningSevere Darkening/

YellowingSevere Darkening

Loss of Adhesion None None None

Water Repellency Excellent Excellent Excellent

Untested Boards

TestedBoards

Table No. 2

U·C Coatings, LLCPO Box 1066 | Buffalo, NY 14215

(716) 833-9366www.uccoatings.com | www.seal-once.com

Study commissioned for use by:

About SEAL-ONCE®

SEAL-ONCE® is a full line of eco-friendly, water based, ultra-low VOC sealers for wood, concrete and masonry. SEAL-ONCE products use proprietary nanotechnology to penetrate the surface of even the densest tropical hardwoods, creating a pliable, breathable barrier that allows water vapor to escape. NANO+POLY formula combines proprietary nanotechnology with the strength of polyurethane, creating a durable surface coating that protects against wear and tear, UV fading and water damage.

About U-C Coatings, LLC

For more than 45 years, U·C Coatings, LLC has been a leading supplier of eco-friendly, water based wood protection products, including coatings and sealers. Its products have been used around the world to protect, preserve and enhance hardwood and softwood species from first cut to finished product. U·C Coatings acquired the SEAL-ONCE® in April 2016.

Rev.2.1.2019