Black Woodstain for Weatherboard Outbuilding

[frootle]

Hi - I live in Kent where alot of traditional weatherboard outbuildings (barns etc) have been treated with a black preserver. Here's a picture of the sort of thing I mean:

I assume this is some form of creasote? Given that this is no longer available, can anyone suggest what I can I can use to treat a newly constructed weatherboard shed/garage that would have the same appearance as the old Kent weatherboard?

Thanks!

 

[worms]

Not in the least environmentally friendly, but I've seen people use old engine oil diluted with petrol. The petrol helps the oil to soak in and leaves a dry finish. Possibly this is no longer legal?

 

[Gervase]

Dunno about the legality, but it works a treat with fence posts - soak the bottoms in a drum full of old sump oil for a few days before you drive 'em and they seem to last a lot longer in boggy ground.
But to use a legal alternative for your weatherboard, what about experimenting with diluting bitumen or sticky Stockholm tar with either white spirit or diesel? Wear gloves and disposable overalls, and experiment first, but a bitumen/tar-based compound is what they used originally.

 

[worms]

I agree on the fence posts! When its diluted (with petrol or diesel) the sump oil penetrates better, leaves a dry finish that doesn't come off on clothes/hands etc - and can be made thin enough to use in a garden sprayer for coating larger areas of plank fencing. Takes several years of annual treatment to work up to a really dark colour though.

The garden centre alternative would be one of the fence paints - I think the "dark oak" one is the colour that would be nearest to what the op wants.

 

[middi]

Or just use black matt SADOLIN from any builders merchants.

 

[NT]

Used engine oil gives a slight tint, nothing like black. Best use paraffin or diesel with it, petrol is relatively dangerous.

For wood, almost anything black seems to blacken it. Wood dye, indian ink, printing ink, etc.


NT

 

[frootle]

brilliant! Thanks all for your ideas and tips. I'll go off and experiment - on a small, inconspicuous bit of the shed at first!

Thanks again

 

[Old Thatch]

Why not use the real stuff!

Coal tar products are still available from R K & J Jones Limited -
http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Tar_coatings_for_Barns_&_Boats.html


Or they have a range of moden alternatives -
http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Tar_&_Black_Products.html

I've used the Brushing tar on my brick plinths. The advantage is it never completly dries out amd remains breathable. However be carefull when appling it ware gloves, its has a big warning on the tin somthing about it being toxic etc. :shock: