Wood Preservation

[NW Mailing List]

Dave:  Linseed oil will only be a surface-penetrating treatment that will
tend to mold over time unless thoroughly covered with some sort of paint.
Repeat coating is likely.  But, a thorough coating of linseed oil will help
a lot. 

 

Pressure-treated lumber is created by placing the wood in a pressure vessel
and forcing the preservative into the wood, achieving a near complete
penetration of the wood itself.  This is either a copper-based or
arsenic-based penetrant in weather resistant treated wood.  Creosoting wood
for ties is also done under pressure.

 

While oak will be affected by weather, the high amount of tannic acids in
oak will aid in slowing the rot of the wood.  Cedar or redwood have high
levels of tannic acid and resist rot very well.  Other wood, such as teak,
as weather resistant in their own right.  

 

Some really dense woods (expensive generally) are rot resistant, too.  

 

I think your main issue will be to find the necessary dimensions in a chunk
of wood that you can purchase somewhere.  Adding preservatives will become
the secondary issue.

 

Gary Rolih

Secretary N&WHS 

 

 

 

 

  _____  

From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 3:25 PM
To: NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org
Subject: Wood Preservation

 

This inquiry is for those "older" car knockers (and any one else that can
help).

As many on the list know I am in the process of restoring the N&W CF caboose
518216 at the Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati.  Part of the restoration
is mounting new wood beams composed of oak on the end of the car. These
beams measure 8" by 10" and go across the width of the car.  My question is
"What is the best way and material to use to preserve these beams as they
will be out in the weather?"  They have not been treated with any thing thus
far.  The plan is to paint them black to match the end platform.  I've heard
that the "old" way was to use linseed oil.  I've never used the stuff so I
am unfamiliar with it.

Thanks ahead of time for any feedback.

Dave Moorehead
Milford, OH



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