.The information contained in this section is only the opinion of Max Baldwin and cannot be the basis of any legal action. . This aged Baldwin Adirondack Chair is starting to show its tannic acid. If this chair has been coated with Olympic Maximum it would get lighter and lighter as it aged. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Olympic vs. Penofin.

Penofin allows the wood to breath - That is, it allows moisture to enter the wood and leave the wood without resistance. That sounds nice, but there is a complication... I'll do my best to explain.

Cedar, Redwood and Mahogany contain a very corrosive acid called "Tannic acid". This acid is the reason why bacteria don't attack and decompose the wood. It doesn't taste good. This acid is water soluble. When water is introduced the acid dissolves into the water, then it rises to the surface. When the water dries, this tannic acid is left sitting on the surface of the wood. It is like a coffee stain. Every time the wood gets wet it adds another layer of tannic acid to the surface. Pretty soon you can't see the grain anymore and your furniture is getting darker and darker.

Along comes Olympic Maximum! Thank goodness the scientists at Olympic figured it out. Through some combination of linseed oil, wax and urethane they were able to keep the water from getting into the wood. The acid doesn't come out. The wood doesn't get darker and because the acid stays in the wood I suspect it will keep its potency and last longer.

Just a little more information... Please click "next".