Sarco alternatives

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Sinoed
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Sarco alternatives

Post by Sinoed »

So I've come to the conclusion that Sarco putty is difficult if not impossible to find. I called all of the dealers in Southern Ontario (with the exception of paradigm shift - they weren't that helpful last time) and no one has it. Since I was just down in the US for a couple days I also called all of the dealers around Rochester - and none of them had it.

I only booked a few weeks off so now it's getting to the point if I don't find "something" that is ok to use I'll have to put back a half finished window for the winter. I can't wait for a special order to show up.

I know Sarco is the best - but if I can't get any well it's not going to work. What should I use instead for re glazing the windows that is available and that I can actually find in Canada? Suggestions please.

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Mick_VT
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by Mick_VT »

Have you tried some of the online suppliers like http://srshardware.com/ or http://www.abatron.com/ or http://kilianhardware.com/ I'm sure at least one would ship to CA
Mick...

lovesickest
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by lovesickest »

It is nowhere to be found in Toronto, even from specialty paint stores that carry obscure and professional product lines in a historical neighbourhood.

I used Dap, and it wasn't the end of the world. It does take longer to cure, and the consistency is less good. Jade sent me a Sarco sample so this is speaking from experience. If it is just one window, use the Dap. If you will be doing a bunch of windows in the future order Sarco, from Sarco directly.

There is a HORRIBLE glazing putty that has been turning up in paint stores here. It comes in sort of an oily block, wrapped in plastic. You will have better luck using canned Betty Crocker canned icing as glazing putty - it was that awful.

1918ColonialRevival
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by 1918ColonialRevival »

Mick_VT wrote:Have you tried some of the online suppliers like http://srshardware.com/ or http://www.abatron.com/ or http://kilianhardware.com/ I'm sure at least one would ship to CA


These are all good suppliers - I've ordered from all three before and I try to work in a couple visits to Kilian a year. I don't see why they wouldn't ship to Canada unless there are some stupid political barriers in place. Another alternative might be to have someone in the US order it and then ship it to you.

Dap works in an emergency, but it seems like it takes forever to cure. I've used it before, but would rather have Sarco any day.

lovesickest
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by lovesickest »

As a Canadian, some sellers outside the country can be VERY STRANGE about shipping basic things to Canada. Either they have no experience doing so, or had a bad experience so they refuse to again.

When a seller ships an item to Canada via a courier service (UPS or Fed Ex), the recipient is usually expected to pay import fees (duty, taxes, etc.). I have not used UPS for years due to this - but UPS would charge a whopping brokerage fee (if you did not have your own customs broker - usually only a business would have one). Like a $ 50.00 UPS brokerage fee for an item worth $ 51.00 USD !

I dealt with sellers who were willing to send items via the postal service. It was the least expensive (Canada Post's custom brokerage fee for the recipent was $ 5.00 for a long time). BUT - many small businesses depend on courier services like UPS who will pick up shipments v.s. having staff go to the post office and stand in line to send multiple items, which can take forever = time costs money.

Sarco is not particularly bulky but it is heavy, so sending via a courier service may be more reasonable with regards to the shipping charges. BUT - the extra charges for the receiver may make this option more cost prohibitive.

Proposed solutions:
A)perhaps a HD member in the US could order the Sarco putty and mail it to Sinoed, if Sarco is bizarre and won't ship to Canada. Obviously you would need to work out payment details amongst yourselves.

B) Just buy it from Paradigm Shift as they DO stock it, and are in Canada, despite your previous unhappy interactions with this business

Also worth considering - I have occasionally encountered a business from the US who has made a distribution agreement with a very useless "distributor" - ie one that doesn't typically keep the product in stock, or make it available in any other outlet besides their own primary business. This is super frustrating when it is encountered.

heartwood
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by heartwood »

I am happy to send you a pint at no cost, should get the one window done....send me a pm with your mailing address...

sarco is a small family business...they only recently got an email address...they don't have a website...a younger brother recently purchased the company and plans to make all of sarco's putties more available online...don't know when that change will happen if at all...

these two outfits in the us sell the product...since they purchase it from sarco and repackage the product, it is more expensive than buying it direct...

http://winnmountainrestorations.com/
http://www.smithrestorationsash.com/

......jade

Sinoed
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by Sinoed »

Thanks for the suggestions. I checked into the U.S. websites and while the initial cost isn't too bad the shipping kills it. One small tub of Sarco is $39.95 + shipping to Canada of $60 usd. With an exchange rate of 1.35 this turns into $135 Can plus taxes of 13% and whatever import, duty and brokerage fees apply - which is pretty crazy. It's really too bad couldn't locate it while I was down there. It kind of makes sense if it's a small family business though.

I think I'll see if I can special order the putty a few months in advance for the next windows - right now I'll just use what I can get my hands on since I'm out of time for this window. :(

Jade - I really appreciate the offer but I live in a different province and have to go back to work in a few days. If I don't finish this window it will be all winter before I'm back to work on it again. The single pane storm isn't really enough to leave since its in horrible shape too.

It sounds like Dap is the best of what I can get right now.

lovesickest
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by lovesickest »

It will be fine, at least over the winter as it is better than no putty. Since you won't be painting the window in the next few days the longer cure time won't be an issue.

phil
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by phil »

maybe check your local glass shops and see what they use?

heartwood
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Re: Sarco alternatives

Post by heartwood »

a product that I think it better than DAP33 is glazol made by ugl...it is a very smooth product that tools well...I know some window restorers who use it exclusively...company claims that it can be painted in 24 hours with oil paint but I would allow at least 5 days...I think it's two weeks for acrylic/latex....

maybe you could find that product in your area.....
.....jade

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