Comments on: Used Furniture–Become a Eco Chic Trendsetter

By: Craigslist Lovin Designer Turns Drab to Fab with only $500/Five Days | Green Talk®

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:26:42 +0000

[...] to this. Kind of unfinished? You know how much I love thrift shops, Craigslist, and Ebay. I heart used furnture. But to be fair, it takes time to find those perfect pieces. But the hunt is so much fun! Some of [...]

By: Used furnature | ZukOnline

Used furnature | ZukOnline — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:37:12 +0000

[...] Used Furniture–Become a Eco Chic Trendsetter | Green Talk™Since I built my home to be non-toxic, furnishing it has become a dilemma for me . Many of my own pieces are worn from my children using them … [...]

By: Green Talk

Green Talk — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:43:51 +0000

Andrew, what questions should a consumer ask about the ingredients in the water based products just in case a wood finisher insists on using his brand? Also, what do you think about the soy based or whey lacquers? Anna

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:32:01 +0000

the water based version is not measurably safer than the solvent based version. To be called water based, only 50% of the liquid ingredients need to be water. Also, hazardous ingredients only need to be listed on the MSDS if they make up more than 1% of the volume. So, there could be a dozen toxic chemicals in the finish but you’d never know it.

AFM Safecoat makes Polyureseal BP, which is a water-based, low-tox polyurethane. This is typically used for wood flooring and high-end furniture. They also make Acrylacq, which is a pure acrylic finish. This is typically used for cabinetry, furniture and other misc woodwork. Its a bit easier to apply than the poly, plus, it a bit less expensive. Several custom wood working studios across North America have switched over to AFM and love the results they are getting.

For the most part, though, wood finishers don’t want to use these types of finishes because their spray systems are set up for the other stuff. It can be a pretty big expense to buy new equipment.

By: Green Talk

Green Talk — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:13:37 +0000

Andrew, Safecoat has an alternative to nitrocellulose, right? Tell us about it and how it differs. The scary thing is the furniture industry uses regular nitrocellulose. I bet (but not sure) even alot of the greener furnitures use the water based version. Anna

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:07:37 +0000

There are hundreds of dangerous chemicals used in water based finishes, so its impossible to be on the look out for them all. Nitrocellulose should be avoided at all cost. Here’s a bit of info about it: One half of nitrocellulose, cellulose, is treated with nitric and sulfuric acid in the exact same way that trinitrotoluene is created, better known as TNT or dynamite. While not nearly as volatile or explosive as dynamite, nitrocellulose lacquer is extremely flammable and produces fumes when it’s being used that can easily ignite. As such, even products which have been treated with nitrocellulose lacquer many years ago are still easily burnt, making nitrocellulose a dangerous chemical to use.

Always ask for the MSDS and look for products that can be used by chemically sensitive individuals.

By: Green Talk

Green Talk — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:18:53 +0000

Andrew, I happened to use only AFM’s products when I did my own finishing. Absolutely love them; however, not all re-finishers will use them and prefer their own brands. My re-finisher used Mohawak water based nitrocellulose.

If a re-finisher uses his own products and tells people they are water based, then what questions should a consumer ask as to the ingredients in the re-finisher’s products. Give us the red flag ingredients. Anna

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:02:14 +0000

I enjoyed reading your article, but have to clarify something you said. You recommend that folks should ask for environmentally friendly versions of traditional finishes. We fabricate our own cabinetry and use nothing but AFM Safecoat finishes because they are not just environmentally friendly…they are human friendly. Low or zero voc finishes are not any safer for humans. VOC’s are only regulated because of outdoor air pollution, not because of human health concerns. If that was the case, oranges would be banned since they emit 850 g/l of VOC’s when peeling off the skin. AFM Safecoat finishes are made using ingredients that are not considered hazardous or dangerous to humans, whether they are VOC’s or not.