Paint Maker to Settle Lawsuit Over Sealants

A Santa Ana paint company agreed to pay $107.5 million to settle a class-action suit over faulty wood sealants that left mildew damage on fences, decks and houses.

Behr Process Corp., a unit of Masco Corp., made no admission of liability or wrongdoing in the proposed settlement. “Unfortunately, litigation is just part of doing business these days,” said Samuel Cypert, vice president of Masco, which is based in Taylor, Mich.

Consumers who purchased Super Liquid Rawhide or Natural Seal Plus wood sealants after Jan. 1, 1991, may be qualified to share in the settlement if they suffered mildew damage. Those who applied the sealants but did not have damage may be eligible for discounts on other Behr products.

Consumers have until Feb. 7 to accept, object or opt out of the settlement.

A March 6 hearing in San Joaquin County Superior Court is scheduled to determine lawyers’ fees and give final approval to the settlement.

Behr has stopped making the two sealants targeted in the suit.