Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
When we bought our house, the large five-bar gate that gives entry to the drive had been painted pristine white. Some two years on I now know why! Under the white paint (which really started to flake off last winter) it has some decidedly rotten areas.
The gate is softwood, and about 70% of it still seems fairly sound. So I'm loathe to lash out a packet of money on a new one if I can repair the old one.
My plan is to strip off the paint, and then see where complete new components are needed (which I'll make). But I'm sure there will also be components with minor rot that can be saved with wood hardener, and then filled.
OK - now the question. If I use wood hardener on some areas, I'm concerned that it will effectively "seal" that area of wood. Will I therefore prevent any new penetrating wood finish that I put on (probably oil) from soaking in and protecting the wood? Would you use hardener, or do you recommend some other approach?
The gate is softwood, and about 70% of it still seems fairly sound. So I'm loathe to lash out a packet of money on a new one if I can repair the old one.
My plan is to strip off the paint, and then see where complete new components are needed (which I'll make). But I'm sure there will also be components with minor rot that can be saved with wood hardener, and then filled.
OK - now the question. If I use wood hardener on some areas, I'm concerned that it will effectively "seal" that area of wood. Will I therefore prevent any new penetrating wood finish that I put on (probably oil) from soaking in and protecting the wood? Would you use hardener, or do you recommend some other approach?