Black creosote

[vicky whitworth]

I'm trying to lay my hands on old fashioned black creosote to preserve my sheds (all modern, soft wood jobs). I can find plenty of stuff that is brown or tan but I want proper black - the sort of stuff that Kevin McCloud complained that the local authority insisted all barn conversions are covered in on the Guildhall episode. I hear a rumour that creosote was banned as it's toxic but I still see plenty of places which appear to be covered in it. Can anyone suggest an alternative that is a true black? Thanks, Vicky

 

[robgil]

sadolin do a black stuff that is pretty black.

 

[philpjuk100]

A.V.S. fencing supply "jet black"creosote.Suitable for profesionals!

 

[MatthewC]

sadolin do a black stuff that is pretty black.

We've just put that on my new fascia and it looks wonderful!

 

[mivec]

I live next to an old wood yard and they are just in the process of recoating all their black timber clad buildings with used engine oil.
It's a lot better if it's diesel engine oil apparently.

 

[Penners]

Yes, old-fashioned creosote has been banned, for fear that its users will grow two heads and mate with serpents. You can get stuff called "creosote substitute" (or something similar) but IMO it's nowhere near as good as the genuine stuff was.

There are various types of "barn paint" available that are jet black. I was very pleased with the linseed based black barn paint that I got from Ingilby, a few years ago. You'll need at least two coats - three is better. And it's pretty runny, so protect the ground below while you paint.

http://www.ingilby.co.uk/products.html

Or, as Rob suggested, use Sadolin, but I'm not sure about its environmental credentials.

 

[Me!]

I live next to an old wood yard and they are just in the process of recoating all their black timber clad buildings with used engine oil.
It's a lot better if it's diesel engine oil apparently.

I've heard this too, but never tried it. I was told that the oil needed to be thinned using 28 second heating oil to make it penetrate the wood properly.
But, a lot of the old barns around here seem to be painted with something that had more 'body' than creosote. It seems to have a sort of bitumen look to it.

 

[philpjuk100]

Why are we not trusted with "good stuff" anymore? creosote was good as was sodium chlorate weed killer,neither of the replacments seem as good.There is a chap on our local cattle market that still sells creosote but in 25 ltr drums marked"for profesional use only" and only in dark and light brown.I built some crude garden funiture out of scaffold planks and floorboards many years ago and always gave them a spring coat of creosote which seems to have worked well but this year gave them a coat of substitute which is now peeling off.Must go now the serpent says my breakfast is ready and I dont want my other head to eat it all! phil.

 

[Penners]

a lot of the old barns around here seem to be painted with something that had more 'body' than creosote. It seems to have a sort of bitumen look to it.

Pitch, probably.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Gasworks tar. Also no longer available. I'm not sure if Stockholm (wood distilled) tar still is.

 

[stephenh]

Google :
'Black tar varnish'

Messy stuff - looks a bit shiny when first applied and then goes more matt.

Good for salt laden air, they use it in Hastings for the net sheds.

Good luck

 

[Flyfisher]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that 'proper' creosote is still available for agricultural use.

I've used old engine oil from the tractor to soak fence and gate posts for a few days before putting them in the ground. The posts were already treated though so I don't know how long the oil will extend their life, but it's a convenient way of getting rid of the oil.

 

[skier-hughes]

The farmer uses old engine oil on anything and everything, stables and fencing is good as the horses don't like the taste of it

 

[MattJ]

Brushing tar.Smells lovely.
http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Tar_coatings_for_Barns_&_Boats.html

Matt

 

[Penners]

The farmer uses old engine oil on anything and everything

I've noticed that our farmer neighbour always has well coiffured hair. That explains it.

His chips taste funny, though.

 

[robgil]

used engine oil is cancerogenic , something to do with how the combustion process changes the oil. take it to the tip and have it disposed of properly, apparently its pretty nasty stuff full of carcinogens.

 

[Me!]

Brushing tar.Smells lovely.
http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Tar_coatings_for_Barns_&_Boats.html

Matt

I need to paint a barn that is a mixture of old boards and some new replacements, and I think the Bird Brand brushing tar is probably the stuff to use unless anyone suggests something better?
However, the supplier says "This product should be applied by a professional decorator/contractor and the material safety sheet should be downloaded for guidance with a COSHH assessment."

Also - "Bird Brand New Formula Black Tar Varnish replaced the petroleum tar based Traditional BLACK TAR VARNISH for retail use. This was because in 2003 any products containing tar were classified as being toxic and only supplied for professional use.
After some development Bird Brand New Formula Black Tar Varnish gives a stable waterproof and protective black finish to timber, stone, brick and metal. It is also improves on the original by being lower odour, quicker drying and compatible with weathered original tar varnish. After prolonged sunlight it will weather from a gloss to a matt finish and the brushes wash out with Bird Brand White Spirit. On timber it has been a good replacement to the Traditional Black Tar Varnish although for marine use we would still recommend the traditional varnish as the original has more anti-fouling properties."

But I don't want the "New Formula", I want the real stuff! So does anybody know how strict suppliers are in checking if customers are trade or DIY? Or does anybody know where or how I can get some please?

Thank you.

 

[vicky whitworth]

And do you think I could use the Birdbrand black tar to do that black bit that the bottom of cottage walls have? It would actually be going onto new, bare bricks?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Don't know about tar coatings, but I have little trouble getting "proper" weedkillers over t'nternet that are technically restricted to those certificated as "competent persons".

 

[MattJ]

I've ordered the black tar a couple of times without issues and am definitely not a professional barn painter.
Matt