MAB Surface Conditioner - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Philly Dude · 06-17-2008, 06:02 PM

Anyone here have experience with MAB Surface Conditioner ? I just got done using it as a primer coat on an exterior stucco job. This stuff is very thin, like water. I don't know if I put it on too thick or if the stucco just sucked up alot of paint, but I used about twice what I had figured the job would take. It is my first stucco job so it may be the substrate and not the product.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm · 06-18-2008, 09:10 PM

A few years ago when I lived in dirty Jersey for 2 grueling years I had a stint with a contractor from Philly who was a crook and used MAB on a few jobs. It was the WORST paint I have ever used! Four coats to cover. If you are having issues, I think it is the MAB.

Tom R · 06-18-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

A few years ago when I lived in dirty Jersey for 2 grueling years I had a stint with a contractor from Philly who was a crook and used MAB on a few jobs. It was the WORST paint I have ever used! Four coats to cover. If you are having issues, I think it is the MAB.

Huh?? I've been using MAB paints (practically exclusively) for 30 years, and have never had any problems. If what you claim was even remotely true (and if I wasn't already so familiar with them), - - I'd have to wonder how in the world they would have ever managed to stay in business for so long.

Did it ever occur to you that the 'crook' may have watered down your paint??

neolitic · 06-18-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Huh?? I've been using MAB paints (practically exclusively) for 30 years, and have never had any problems. If what you claim was even remotely true (and if I wasn't already so familiar with them), - - I'd have to wonder how in the world they would have ever managed to stay in business for so long.

Did it ever occur to you that the 'crook' may have watered down your paint??

I've had really good results with MAB too.
Using their exterior oil stains got me a real
sweet 10 year contract in a condo complex.
Like their block filler and most interior wall
paints too.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm · 06-18-2008, 09:59 PM

You guys may be right. I may have been a little jumpy on poor 'ol MAB. As stated earlier the guy was a sheister. High prices low quality products. I guess it was their low grade we used. Their higher grade may be a different story. the low grade? watch out fellas!!!

MALCO.New.York · 06-18-2008, 10:05 PM

M.A.B. Paints are "Philly Local".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAB_Paints

A large number of Philadelphia contractors use this paint because of marketing and Regional availability. It is a GOOD Contractor Grade paint.

Would I use it on MY house??????

Nope!!

neolitic · 06-18-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

M.A.B. Paints are "Philly Local".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAB_Paints
A large number of Philadelphia contractors use this paint because of marketing and Regional availability. It is a GOOD Contractor Grade paint.
Would I use it on MY house??????
Nope!!

That condo complex? The original stain wasn't
holding up ore than 2-3 years.
We used the MAB oil on a 5 year cycle
(re-do every building every 5 years).
At the end of the second cycle they decided
it was good enough to go to an 8 year cycle.

I lost interest at that point.
I don't think I have any problem with
that product's quality.

tcreek0022 · 07-06-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Dude

Anyone here have experience with MAB Surface Conditioner ? I just got done using it as a primer coat on an exterior stucco job. This stuff is very thin, like water. I don't know if I put it on too thick or if the stucco just sucked up alot of paint, but I used about twice what I had figured the job would take. It is my first stucco job so it may be the substrate and not the product.

MAB's surface conditioner is not a substitute for primer. It is thin for a reason. It is designed to weep or leach into chalky surfaces and "tie" the chalk down, allowing the surface to then be primed and/or painted.

MAB also has a masonry primer. It is much more like a conventional paint. I think you had your products confused. On the positive side, the surface conditioner is always a good first step when painting stucco.

Philly Dude · 07-07-2008, 12:05 AM

tcreek,

Thanks for the reply. The job came out looking very good. I used one coat of MAB surface conditioner and 2 coats of MAB Seashore. The guy in the MAB store recommended that I use MAB Seashore primer instead of the surface conditioner. For some reason I thought the surface conditioner would be better.