Treating Wood Posts

[bigballer]

Was thinking of cutting up some of my standing 6" alders into 8' lengths and using them as round pen posts. I don't want to just set them in the ground untreated so I was thinking of taking a motor oil/deisel mix and coating them with it before setting. Would this type of treatement be good to protect them from rot? How long should I let it cure before setting? Are there better methods of treating log posts? I don't plan to use concrete, just rocks in the hole to hold upright then tamped backfill with the same soil that came out of the hole. thanks for any comments.

cheers,
bigballer

 

[randy41]

soaking them in it might be better but if they are green they aint gonna absorb much

 

[Soundguy]

No need to be an environmental terrorist.. which is what you would be.. by 'pouring' oil and diesel into the ground. That's 100% point source polloution.. and not a great long term protector either...

Better would be to buy a bucket of post dip.. copper napthenate.. Or a drum of asphalt fence paint. Both are much easier to the environment.

Soundguy

Was thinking of cutting up some of my standing 6" alders into 8' lengths and using them as round pen posts. I don't want to just set them in the ground untreated so I was thinking of taking a motor oil/deisel mix and coating them with it before setting. Would this type of treatement be good to protect them from rot? How long should I let it cure before setting? Are there better methods of treating log posts? I don't plan to use concrete, just rocks in the hole to hold upright then tamped backfill with the same soil that came out of the hole. thanks for any comments.

cheers,
bigballer

 

[bigballer]

i knew there were better treatments out there then diesel oil, thanks soundguy for the info. wouldn't want to be known as an enviromental terrorist. ;-)

cheers,
bigballer

 

[EddieWalker]

Better would be to buy a bucket of post dip.. copper napthenate.. Or a drum of asphalt fence paint. Both are much easier to the environment. Soundguy

Hi Soundguy,

I've never seen this before. Do you buy it at Tractor Supply? or do most farm supply stored carry it? I've thought about roofing tar, but so far, it's just been an idea I've been kicking around.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Soundguy]

TSC , lowes, and HD and most farm supply stores i've seen carry the black asphalt fence paint. Most of the stuff I see is just a generic 5g metal can.. and costs 5-15$. Ya got to stir it for about 5 minutes.. and leaving it in the sun for a few minutes before you stir it really helps. Goes on good.. it's thin, sticky and coats well. Cures to a nearly environmentally inert state.

Copper napthenate. I've seen it in 5g buckets at HD and lowes, in their fencing section.

It's greenish liquid.. stains -anything- .. usually permanently.. except it will come off skin... eventually... May lift hair...

Soundguy

 

[gabby]

I think you'll be rebuilding your round pen in a few years. Just buy some real fence posts and do it right the first time.
gabby

 

[bigballer]

well for the roundpen i decided to go with the 12' corral panels that pin together, this will make it easier to move if needed since the perm location still needs to be cleared. maybe would be best just to use the alders as firewood.. heh...

cheers,
bigballer

 

[Soundguy]

Those pin together panels are neat. You canmake temp stalls for horses.. or section off areas to keep animals out.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

those are a neat idea....

Cut them square and try a post protector. In Ground Post Protection - Post Protector