creosote - best substitue?

Fantastic stuff, remember every summer holiday ending up with brown hands as we had to do the garden fences. It did the job proper (if handled correctly).

Now not strictly available to us non-professionals, what is the best substitute? We don't want fancy colours, dark brown will do, as long as it looks natural.

Cheers
Boots

 

Around here, I know one or two folk who insist that diesel does the trick. Some of the same people also say that when you get the oil changed on your car, keep the old oil and use that.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'd have thought it would have made the wood extra flammable but I'm told it doesn't make much difference once the oil/diesel soaks in properly and dries.

 

I use Creocote as well As Armandii said you can get it in 2 colours light and dark brown . If the colour is a little dark for you , you can let it down a touch using white spirit . It smells of creosote for a few days - I love the smell ! It then will fade down a shade over a season , the fading makes it look natural and a very nice finish . You will probally need to recoat the fence panels every 3 to 4 years . Unless you like painting fence panels ! It's a oh-no job for me :D

 

Creocote is causing proplems for us chicken keepers,the original creosote killed redmite but was banned for none pro.use because it is carcinogenic.The replacement stuff is eco friendly,but not as good unless you mix it 3/1 with diesel.
For fence posts or shed floors engine oil is better and longer lasting.

 

Thanks for the info all,

the problem has now escalated:(

I found an old nearly full tin of decking oil, cedar in colour, that I thought I could use.
The boss wants the natural colour, not red:(

What about Thomsons water seal? would this be suitable and last?

Cheers,
boots

 

I've used Thomsons water seal on masonry and I dont reckon much on it.
I 'm not sure but I think its silicone based, not a preservative at all.

So what is the natural colour?

What are you coating?

 

I need it for some new farm style drive gates, I know it says on the tin that water seal will work on wood but not used it before?
To be honest I don't feel like having to do the gates every year, the decking we have takes enough time as it is

Cheers
boots

 

Marley, are you referring to the creocote or the thompsons water seal?

Steve...

 

Hi Boots
if you are finishing some new ( expensive ) drive gates and not an old fence panel behind the shed , I think you need a superior product.
I would suggest an "oil" based wood finish as supplied in the Sikkens or similar ranges . The range and colours are a tad bewildering so I would find you local supplier of this type of product and have a chat.
I have used Danish Oil for finishing wood but it is clear ( I used wood tint to take the colour down a shade ). If your gates are natural pine ( redwood ) colour you may want to consider a light shaded product.

Product range - Sikkens

 

112 feet , of Creocoting , ye gods !! You're right arm must be like Popeyes Armandi :D
Is Creocote sprayable ?