Fence with pallets, what wood treatment to get?

Dolph Dickson
by Dolph Dickson
The pallet wood rots very quickly and have to continuously replace them.

  8 answers
  • Ken Ken on Jan 25, 2018

    Now you know why there is pressure treated lumber.


    Nothing you do will make the pallet wood last as long as treated lumber and even that has a limited lifetime. Keep the pallet wood away from the soil. Use oil-based stain. Soak the wood with the stuff. Every year reapply the stain or a clear preservative like Thompson's Water Seal Wood protector.



  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 25, 2018

    I would use multiple coats of something like marine poly and make sure you coat the entire piece.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 25, 2018

    Thats why they are free. You could try some decking stain and oil treatment like Thompson's or Olympic, but its very porous pine wood so it still might not last long.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 25, 2018

    outdoor polyurethane

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 25, 2018

    Wood preservative with or without colour..

  • Ish32488780 Ish32488780 on Jan 25, 2018

    dig a pit big enough for the pallet about 6inches deep and long enough for the pallet put down some plastic sheeting and fill with wood treatment, put in a pallet, let it set in the solution for about 5minets than take out and let dry, the pallet will never rot away. then pump the wood treatment left over back into the five-gallon bucket, that way you can use it to spray the pallets in a year or so. a good way to go, as pallets are free

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 07, 2023

    Firstly, you should make sure the pallet is kept dry, as rot typically occurs when wood is exposed to moisture. Secondly, if the pallet will be subject to outdoor conditions, it must be regularly treated with a waterproof sealant, preservative, or paint to protect the wood from water damage.

    Additionally, if the pallet will be stored outdoors, you should build a slatted roof or awning over the top to protect it from rain and direct sunlight. Finally, if the pallet will be kept outdoors, you should inspect it periodically for signs of rot and replace it if necessary.