I don't remember where I read it but I recall reading a recommendation to
"seal" the ends of pressure treated lumber when used as railing caps. I
don't know if they were talking about something like Thomson water seal or
something meant specifically for end grain. Any comments?

End grain absorbs water faster than other surfaces.
Pressure treatment protects outer regions of a piece of wood more than
inner.
To protect the ends of siding, trim and other wood exposed to weather I
sometimes use epoxy, or paint. It's tedious and most contractors won't
do it even when I pay for it

Howver, I worked with Glen Salsman of Mt. Pleasant South Carolina to do
trim in the basement. Within weeks, I had repeated sewer backups and
the protected endgrain came through without damage.

TB

"John Richards" wrote in message
...
I don't remember where I read it but I recall reading a recommendation to
"seal" the ends of pressure treated lumber when used as railing caps. I
don't know if they were talking about something like Thomson water seal or
something meant specifically for end grain. Any comments?

PT wood has good weather resistance but once cut, you will see that the
chemicals penetrate only a quarter inch or so, so painting the end pieces,
once they are cut, wouldnt be a bad idea, I suppose. You could use Copper
Green preservative in a spray can, or brush it on if you want to buy the
can.. I would avoid Thomson, as it is a poor choice, and is a weather
coating and (a very poor) water repellant, not a preservative...

To do much good, I think the end grain has to be penetrated and filled.
A spray would not, in my opinion, put enouth material into the end
grain to do much good.
TB

wrote in message
oups.com...
To do much good, I think the end grain has to be penetrated and filled.
A spray would not, in my opinion, put enouth material into the end
grain to do much good.
TB

OK, dip the ends and let them soak overnight!
Whether you use Copper Green spray, or liquid in a can, or their equivalents
in other brands, it is the least viscous coating I can imagine. It has the
"soakability" of paint thinner or kerosene, both being pretty good
penetrants. It is purely a penetrant, not a coating.
Agreed, not much of anything will soak into PT wood, but sawn endgrain is
highly absorptive. No how many brushfulls of copper green I put on my new pt
2x4 fence framing, the end pieces kept begging for more, so it must have
soaked in pretty well.

"John Richards" wrote in message
...
I don't remember where I read it but I recall reading a recommendation to
"seal" the ends of pressure treated lumber when used as railing caps. I
don't know if they were talking about something like Thomson water seal or
something meant specifically for end grain. Any comments?

I put in a cedar fence and for the exposed vertical ends I just used
exterior house paint. Several applications will be need.

"Roger Taylor" wrote in message
...

PT wood has good weather resistance but once cut, you will see that the
chemicals penetrate only a quarter inch or so.

Ummmmmm, this is simply not true for all PT wood. Sounds like you're
talking about a coated product ( UC3A , for above ground use). I've never
used class UC3B, which is pressure treated, but not for ground contact.

There are different classes of treated wood, I wouldn't consider using
something that is not labled "ground contact" ( UC4A & above). It's
pressure treated, and not only as you describe.

replying to John Richards, B Coonrad wrote:
jrichar3 wrote:

I don't remember where I read it but I recall reading a recommendation to
"seal" the ends of pressure treated lumber when used as railing caps. I
don't know if they were talking about something like Thomson water seal or
something meant specifically for end grain. Any comments?


The line of PT posts/lumber on the west coast, Wolmanized, offered an end
cap sealant that was painted on so as to minimize the capillary absorbtion
of moisture wicking up the end grain, especially for use in fence posts
buried in concrete. Yellow Wood seems to be the east coast version and I
came across your inquiry while researching the same. Hope this
helps...I'm sure it's not any of Thompson's products!!

--
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B Coonrad wrote:
replying to John Richards, B Coonrad wrote:
jrichar3 wrote:

I don't remember where I read it but I recall reading a recommendation
to "seal" the ends of pressure treated lumber when used as railing
caps. I don't know if they were talking about something like Thomson
water seal or something meant specifically for end grain. Any comments?


The line of PT posts/lumber on the west coast, Wolmanized, offered an end
cap sealant that was painted on so as to minimize the capillary absorbtion
of moisture wicking up the end grain, especially for use in fence posts
buried in concrete. Yellow Wood seems to be the east coast version and I
came across your inquiry while researching the same. Hope this
helps...I'm sure it's not any of Thompson's products!!


OP question posted on home owner's hub website on August 4, 2005

--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
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