2 finishing questions: pine, copper

RobA · Jul 31, 2006

I have posted here about having a pole barn built. The builder should be starting in about 5-6 weeks. The siding will be white pine board and batten. I wanted to use a stain to protect the wood and to add some color to it. I do not want it to weather to a grey color.

Any ideas on when I should do this? Immediately after the barn is done? Wait a while? Is deck stain OK? I have had good luck with Flood’s CWF-UV.

I am also buying a cupola that will have a copper roof and a copper & bronze weathervane. I was told that the copper would turn green - but in our area it might take up to 10 years. Since I don’t want to wait that long I’ve been searching for a product to turn the copper green really quickly. I found this
http://www.jaxchemical.com/ordering/shopexd.asp?id=19

Anyone ever use this product? Or something similar?

Thanks for your help.

KentT · Jul 31, 2006

For your siding, I'd recommend you use a stain developed for log homes. You're on the right track, with adding color, since you must have solids in the stain that can be "sacrificed" to the sun's rays... Here's a link that may be helpful:

http://www.loghelp.com/info/finishqs.html

TNhobbyfarmer · Jul 31, 2006

I agree with Kent that you should consider a stain used in the log home industry. I built a weekend getaway log cabin on my farm a few years ago. I used pine cut off the farm. I use a oil based stain called Woodguard. It is easy to apply with a pump up garden sprayer. All you need to do is spray it on and back brush. I am very satisfied with the product.

Note that Woodguard has antifungicides and insect repellants mixed in. Be aware that wood boring insects can be a serious problem with wood siding. The only thing it won't control is Carpenter Bees. These critters look like what I have called a bumblebee all my life. They will bore holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in the wood and start a family. About the only thing I have found to combat them is a badmitten racket and quick reflexes.

Woodgard comes with a variety color finishes. I use a color called honey on my cabin. Attached is a picture of the cabin.

Tony_S · Aug 1, 2006

TNhobbyfarmer said:
The only thing it won't control is Carpenter Bees. These critters look like what I have called a bumblebee all my life. They will bore holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in the wood and start a family. About the only thing I have found to combat them is a badmitten racket and quick reflexes.

Not to hijack the thread but....

TNhobbyfarmer, Carpenter bee badminton is a frequent past time here as well. If you want to learn about how to control these damaging pests, here is a good site I found. Actually it's a great site for learning about controllling almost all pests.
http://www.bugspray.com/article/carpenterbees.html
I am not affiliated in any way, just a happy customer.

FWIW,

Tony S.

redlevel · Aug 2, 2006

A 1-1-1 mix of diesel fuel, burned (preferebly in a diesel tractor) motor oil, and cheap hydraulic or transmission fluid will do a good job on a barn. You will probably have to refresh it every 5 years or so to keep the wood from graying out.

When I built my house 20 years ago I used a 1-1-1 mix of creosote, diesel fuel, and burned motor oil. I have never re-stained it and it has grayed out beautifully. My siding is Longleaf Pine. You can't get creosote now.

Mark

TNhobbyfarmer · Aug 2, 2006

redlevel said:
When I built my house 20 years ago I used a 1-1-1 mix of creosote, diesel fuel, and burned motor oil. I have never re-stained it and it has grayed out beautifully. My siding is Longleaf Pine. You can't get creosote now.

Mark

Redlevel......I understand that you like the grayed out look. My concern would be that the siding now has no UV protection, and other that water, sunlight is the biggest culprit with respect to degradation of wood.

snal · Aug 3, 2006

For the copper...I've never tried the stuph you'd mentioned, but we have good luck with Ruby Fluid. Most plumbing supply places carry this as a flux for soldering copper, but it mainly sells in 1 gallon containers...you won't need that much. Might try to get a few ounces from a plumber, or a sheet metal fab shop that deals with copper.
Using rubber gloves....moisten a small sponge with the fluid and wipe the copper evenly, this will clean fingerprints and such off of the copper, let it dry, repeat, and mist the copper with water, and let it dry. This will speed up the aging process.
I've also used a scotchbrite pad to put an even sheen on the copper, and cut the shine down a bit before using the ruby fluid.

slaveToHorses · Aug 8, 2006

Tony_S said:
Not to hijack the thread but....

TNhobbyfarmer, Carpenter bee badminton is a frequent past time here as well. If you want to learn about how to control these damaging pests, here is a good site I found. Actually it's a great site for learning about controllling almost all pests.
http://www.bugspray.com/article/carpenterbees.html
I am not affiliated in any way, just a happy customer.

and to further the hijack!
Just to let you know that while bugspray has a lot of really useful info on their site (thanks for the link), their prices look way way high. For instance they want $75 for Talpirid but http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com has it for $46 (includes shipping). I like to support sites that do us the service of providing so much info... but not at that kind of markup.