Staining Pressure Treated Wood

[DrRod]

We built a Green Acres shower last fall -- an open top box outside the house. Aside from loving the option to clean up once in a while, its amazing how we all marvel at how cool it is to look up at the trees and sky while taking a shower -- can't explain it, but there is something improbable about it.

In any case, I've heard we should wait a year before staining. Others say its not necessary to wait. Others say don't even bother -- just let it age.

What do you think?

 

[thepumpguysc]

Drop some water on the boards.. if it soaks in.. you can paint/stain it..
...anything other than that test & the paint/stain wont penetrate the wood.
I JUST went thru this w/ my rebuilt picnic table..

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Just tore off old steps and built new mini landing and steps out of pressure treated wood this past weekend. We picked up our lumber at Lowe's, and it was so wet, it left moisture behind on the concrete shop floor after laying it there and moving it around. Wood was almost dripping wet. Don't know how "dry" your lumber was, but on ours, I won't be able to treat it with any finish until it dries out.

I think I'm just going to let it naturally age anyway.



Still have some dirt work to do at the bottom...

 

[LittleBill21]

its a moisture percentage, something like less the 20% if i remember, but the water drop test is correct, if it soaks in the water, you can stain it.

 

[skipperbrown]

Our neighborhood has over 18,000 ft of plank fencing made with pine PT wood painted white. It is now 24 yrs old. We used to paint it every 3 years, but the paint looked terrible into the 2nd year. About 10 yrs ago, we discovered Sherwin Williams Deck Stain. It lasts about 5 years and still looks good after the 4th yr. You should check it out when you are ready to paint. It hurts the wallet, but it's good stuff.

 

[Paddy]

Skip the stain, you will be committed for the life of the shower re staining. Too many friends borrow my pressure washer to prep for the next staining and regret ever staining in the first place.

 

[Ford850]

Vertical boards - no way I'd stain that. They will last a long time as is.

 

[EddieWalker]

Because of the changes in what is used to treat wood, there is a lot more water forced into it then was done in the previous method. This extra moisture takes months to leave the wood, but nobody can really say exactly how long since each board is a little different. I tell my clients to wait 4 to six months. If you do anything before then, you risk failure because of the moisture leaving the wood. Another problem that is now common with treated wood is shrinkage and twisting. I've had 12 foot long 2x6's shrink in length by 3/4 of an inch in six months. I wont even use 5/4 boards anymore because of how much they shrink while drying. Same thing with 4x4s and twisting.

In six months, go to a place like Sherwin Williams and see what they have to offer. I think it's a waste of time and money buying anything from the Box Stores.

Oil finishes are used on boats and might be a good option for a shower. You have to put them on more often depending on usage, but it's a quick and easy process that gives great results.

 

[Redlands Okie]

What Eddie said

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Because of the changes in what is used to treat wood, there is a lot more water forced into it then was done in the previous method. This extra moisture takes months to leave the wood,

In six months, go to a place like Sherwin Williams and see what they have to offer. I think it's a waste of time and money buying anything from the Box Stores.

I bought my trailer last summer, this is why I didn't even consider putting anything on it until now...

SR