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Woodworking (rec.woodworking) Discussion forum covering all aspects of working with wood. All levels of expertise are encouraged to particiapte. |
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#1
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Fir wood protection for outside?
Hi, I am getting a nice planter structure build of fir wood. Not sure
what kind of fir. I am not sure if I will put on concrete or the lawn yet, but I would like to add something to protect the wood from weather and watering. But the protectant should not contaminate the soil that is below it or the plants in the planter. Any suggestion? I heard linseed oil would be good? Where do you get it? |
#2
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wrote in message ups.com... Hi, I am getting a nice planter structure build of fir wood. Not sure what kind of fir. The termites are certainly going to like you. I am not sure if I will put on concrete or the lawn yet, but I would like to add something to protect the wood from weather and watering. But the protectant should not contaminate the soil that is below it or the plants in the planter. On pressure treated wood will last. The current products have eliminated the use of arsenic. Any suggestion? I heard linseed oil would be good? Where do you get it? You buy linseed oil at a paint store. Jim |
#3
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#4
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Duane Bozarth wrote:
wrote: Hi, I am getting a nice planter structure build of fir wood. Not sure what kind of fir. [snip] A nice wood planter should be given a nice plastic liner. Check around at the local stores to find a pot or planter or plastic wastebasket that would fit inside it fairly well. Drill a few holes in the liner of your choice if it doesn't have any already. Be sure your new planter has drain holes, too. Next a nice wood planter would have something under the feet for either concrete or on the grass. Wood of your choice would be okay since you could afford to throw away these two (three) pieces of wood at the end of every season when you'd empty the planter, wash it up, store it for the off season. Once you have a liner and good intentions about keeping it on wood above the ground and putting it up for the winter you can paint your planter with almost anything that will hold up to weather. If you think of the planter as a house you need to paint then you have the right idea about how it should be painted. Several spray companies have outdoor spray sealers and many good colors of outdoor paint colors. Josie |
#5
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Hopefully the planter has not yet been built. wood in contact with soil is not a good idea for longivity of the wood. neither is allowing the wood to be constantly moist. This is a major invitation for dry rot & insects. Good outside woods would be; teak, redwood, mahogoney(sp?) but you best bet is a liner; copper or plastic (thick ~1/16" min) Do right this thing will last many years, done cheap a few at best If you put the planter right on the lawn or concrete w/o an air gap & "water resistant feet" the bottom will rot out in no time. Wood can last for centuries, if kept dry, moist it can be gone in a few seasons. OTOH, if you use non-toxic finishes this planter can be mulch for the next one cheers Bob |
#6
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"BobK207" wrote in message oups.com... Wood can last for centuries, if kept dry, moist it can be gone in a few seasons. Centuries if kept wet, too. At least one case where moderation isn't the optimum. |
#7
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firstjois wrote:
Duane Bozarth wrote: wrote: Hi, I am getting a nice planter structure build of fir wood. Not sure what kind of fir. [snip] A nice wood planter should be given a nice plastic liner. ... Actually the window boxes I built use heavy screen for the bottoms and then set the plants in pots or such...similar would work for a planter, as well... |
#8
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Thanks. I am going to put it on concrete instead of lawn / soil, then
and then maybe use bricks to shim it up to minimize ground contact. Can you recommend any product that is preferably clear but will seal the wood against termites and dry rot? Something like a laquer, polyurethane, stain so I could think about it some more. I do not wish to attract termintes near my home, do the sealers help protect against insects? I might just use a plastic pot as a liner and modify the bottom material of the planter, so the wood does not need to be wet during watering. I know fir it is not the choice of the wood for outside, rot resistance wood for the same item would cost 3 times at much I would think. I don't expect this to last forever.. just a way to prolong it's life no matter what it is made of, which is why I'm asking the question here. Thanks |
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