How to treat tree bark for use in an indoor craft project?

http://www.grecodesigncompany.com/closet/how-to-treat-wood-branches-for-home-decor/

Janet,

Thank you for your response. I read through the post and it reference scraping bark off of the limb and then preserving the limb. I actually want to use the bark. Did I miss something in the article? I am going to go back and read it again. I appreciate your help.

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/bark-wood-projects-glue-shellac-wood-choice/

Thank you Fix It Jen!

Hi April,

I have been looking for the same thing, something diy to work with the bark. I have teak bark and I intend to use it as cladding for faux beams to give it that aged natural rustic look, provided I figure out how to clean and preserve the bark. Did you manage to crack it? Any suggestions / tips would be most helpful!

Thanks much

D

I use a wood hardener, available at any hardware store.

First, clean the bark as well as possible without beating it to death. Get all insects 🐜 out. Put the bark on a well ventilated shelf and allow to dry.

When dry, cut to size and shape desired.

Next, take it outside and brush on wood hardener until the bark is thoroughly soaked. Allow to dry thoroughly.

A second treatment is sometimes needed. You’ll notice a plasticity to the bark when it is fully cured.

You can seal the bark in varnish, epoxy, or any clear coat paint you like—as long as the bark is fully cured before you do so.

Have fun!

Hi April, I used tung oil to make my bark project, make sure the bark is clean and loose debris is removed, I put 3 coats on it letting it dry fully between applications, I used a soft paint brush to gently apply it to the bark.

hi April - I also have a project with tree bark and am wondering if you have used any of the methods and which worked best to preserve the natural colour and shape of the bark before it starts to curl too much.

I had a terrible time trying to get an answer to this as well.

I wanted to use huge tree limbs indoors. Lay out a tarp on lawn or cement. It will stain bright orange.

Use Borax and hot water in a sprayer and soak the bark or wood thoroughly wetting it. Like a 5 gallon sprayer for gardening. That sprays continually.

Let dry in sun for a week or two. I never had any more insects after this. It was invested with carpenter ants and other bugs i could see them. They were gone after this!👍🙂

Im not to sure how to go about it myself. My wife loves working with old drift bark. Nit the wood just the bark frim the trees. It has to be drifted though. She runs into a lot of breakage and cracks as she works with it. Maybe we will both get an answer to our questions. What should my wife do to the bark before she starts a project?