Question
We have been using Mac Lac (RJ McClennon) products but are looking to change. We are in California so it’s low VOC. So far, I have only found a couple of companies - Mohawk, Sherwin Williams, Gemini. I would love to hear your thoughts on the pluses, minuses, or even other products you may suggest we look toward. Customer service, training, and product availability are all keys to us.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor B:
Being in the Bay Area/NorCal you might think going WB'd considering clientele up there. Low voc's much more enviro-friendly, no solvent clean up, etc. There are lots of good WB's out there. Solvent products will always have their place for exterior work and for surfaces that you can't sand, like a roughsawn finishes, open beams, tongue and groove, etc. The way it's going here in Cali with reg's you might be better off learning it now than have the state tell you to learn it sometime in the not so distant future.
There are no shortage of opinions here about WB's. I use General Finishes for all my interior work pigmented/clears and stains/dyes. When I used solvents it was hard to go wrong with SW for CV and lacquer. I don't like their stains much (some people swear by them). I prefer Mohawk stains/dyes for solvents. Both products should be readily available up there. Mohawk has an extensive training program (pricey), seminars, and a good tech support line. Not sure if SW has a training program other than the sales rep coming out.
