Treating a new wooden garage

[beamer]

Hi

I need to treat a new timber garage that is being built today. It's one of these log cabin affairs with 44mm interlocking timbers.

I can only paint it tomorrow due to work commitments. However it is currently raining heavily and it will therefore be very wet. Is it advisable to paint it wet?

Timbercare of choice is Cuprinol Ducksback.

Thanks.

[Ian Jackson]

In message , beamer writes

I would have thought "Absolutely no way!". Even water-mixable and dilutable compounds (eg acrylic paints) don't like being painted onto wet surfaces.

"Preparing the Job"

"Read the Health, Safety and Environmental Information opposite. Bare or untreated wood should be pre-treated with an appropriate wood preserver to prevent rot and decay. Surfaces should be dry and free from dirt and algae etc. Remove any algae, lichen, fungi or moss using an appropriate fungicidal wash or cleaner designed for the job."

[Tabby]

Use creosote if you want it to last.

NT

[js.b1]

Good when applied annually, but dislikes south facing rain/heat cycling and is not the most effective.

Is the wood clear pressure treated (P/T)?

If not I would be tempted to use a preservative at ground level, such as Cuprinol 5-star wood treatment (=A330 from Screwfix for 5L) and saturate any exposed end grain if this is an "overlapping log construction". You can overpaint it when dry - other products you can not because they leave a waxy residue, read the tin.

For overall protection (including over the wood treatment) I would see what Sikkens have to offer - unfortunately their products will cost more and may require 2 coats, but you gain a wider selection of colours and better UV additives. Remember log cabins move - if you are fitting vertical 20mm PVC conduit on the inside do not butt the conduit tight into the fittings because as the wood shrinks it will create wiggly conduit runs.

Stares at a chyrsotile garage I was shivering & sneezing in last night... I feel a new shed coming on :-)

[Nightjar]

Leave it until it dries out. You can leave applying preservative for a few weeks without causing any problems.

Colin Bignell

[beamer]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice - looks like I'll need to wait for a dry patch which may be a long wait given the torrential weather outside my window at the moment. Typical!!

Thanks.

[Ian Jackson]

But, even when there's a 'dry patch', do make sure that the wood has thoroughly dried out.

If the weather improves, and the wood dries out, but there still the chance of the showers, you could try keeping the rain off by pinning some sheets of polythene to the sides of the garage (using drawing pins). Then only remove the sheets as and when you get a chance to treat the wood. I did this with a garden shed which I had got lovely and dry, and then the weather got a bit thundery, and threatened to delay things.

[Frank Erskine]

Hear hear. Then use proper creosote rather than modern stuff which is little more than wood dye. Beware of stuff labelled as things like "creocote".

You can still buy creosote in quantities of 20l or more, for industrial purposes. Realistically, 20l will be used up in no time for a garage, a shed and a bit of fencing. Just take a bit of care when applying it, and avoid skin or pet contact until it's dry.