Old engine oil as wood preserver

David in Normandy · 2010-06-07T14:51:49+00:00

After reading a recent thread on here about using old engine oil mixed with diesel and coal dust as a creosote replacement I decided to try painting an old oak post in the garden just using old engine oil.I didn't have any coal to hand and diesel costs money. The old engine oil came fresh out of the lawn mower and I painted it on while still quite warm. It seems to have worked well. The post soaked all the oil up within around 24 hours to become touch dry. It has since darkened over the last few days almost becoming black but looks just like it has been creosoted. The oily smell has subsided too.The post supports two large half moon hanging baskets and looks quite good with the makeshift *creosote*.I don't know how good it will be at preserving the post but I bet it has annoyed the resident woodworm which were infesting it badly in one place.

Jun 07, 2010 Last reply: 7 years ago 21 Replies

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The Natural Philosopher 7 years ago

The conditions for rot are nutrient water AND air ...

Things don't rot in deserts. Nor do they rot at the bottom of bogs. There are a few anaerobic fungi, but not many.

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Roger Hayter 7 years ago

There are huge numbers of anaerobic bacteria, but they need a substrate with a useful exothermic reaction in the absence of oxygen. Wood doesn't seem to provide this when oxygen is completely excluded. Or not unless other substances are available to play the same chemical role. Even bodies undergo limited degradation down to rather unpromising chemicals, like keratin when buried in bogs.

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