Preserving cedar deck wood. Thompson's or something else?
by
Cathy
+1
I have recently replaced old wooden deck with cedar. Besides a chemical treatment, i.e. Thompson's waterproof, what other options do I have to naturally preserve the wood and how often does it need application.
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Suggested Project Book
http://www.realcedar.com/decking/finishing/
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cedar-decking-stain-guide
Thanks for the information!
There is a cedar oil you can use. It's brand name is Colton's
1. Olive Oil and Lemon
Mix three parts olive oil to two parts lemon juice. This can be put into a spray bottle and applied that way, or a polish rag can be dipped into the mixture. The solution can be stored in a glass jar or a spray bottle. That’s it.
2. Coconut Oil
Sometimes it seems we have really over-complicated our lives with chemicals. Coconut oil can save the day again. Give the wood a once-over with a damp rag, let it dry, and rub in some straight coconut oil. It will moisturize, revitalized, and protect the wood. Plus, though it isn’t the smell associated with furniture polish, coconut is a pleasant dance for olfactory passages.
3. Oil and Vinegar
Who are we kidding here? Oil and vinegar is the crux of most salad dressings, so it can’t get much safer to use. And, believe it or not, a bit of canola oil (3 parts) and vinegar (1 part) makes a dandy wood sealant, protecting wood from borrowing insects, wear, and water. Plus, this can be reapplied to revitalize the wood, something that doesn’t work without sanding off the varnish.
4. Linseed Oil
This is a natural substance, linseed oil being from flax. In truth, it gives off strong odors and has the reputation of taking forever to dry. But, it is safer and perhaps worth the wait. While raw linseed oil is actually taken as a medicinal food, when “boiled” linseed is used as a natural ingredient for sealants, check that it doesn’t have petroleum additives. Some suggest buying raw linseed oil and boil it at home.
5. Good Preserving Practices
Like with health, too often we wait until it’s too late, working to fix a problem we could’ve prevented. Wood works the same way. Over-exposure to sunlight and water will degrade it faster, so we should take preventative aims to preserve our wood in the first place.
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/natural-ways-to-protect-wood-from-water-damage/