Hi, new to this fine website. Just curious what others are using for ongoing treatment of the wood in outdoors bonsai benches. I've built some benches with recycled Doug fir lumber. I realize it's not the wood of choice for long term durability. But am hoping to keep them around as long as possible. There are a lot of products available. Just trying to avoid the more toxic stuff. Comments, ideas always welcome. Thanks.
Ongoing wood treatment
- Thread starter Arcto
- Start date
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Whatever works for decks will work for tables. Don't fret about toxicity; your plants are sitting on them, not growing in them.
DougB
Chumono
UGH -- I am agreeing with Jim again, but he is correct. The pot sits on the surface, so it is not like making raised beds. And a good long lasting finish to consinder is Marine Varnish or Spar Varnish. Long lasting and extremely durable. Good Luck.
ps: please update your profile to include your location. A majority of information depends on your location.
ps: please update your profile to include your location. A majority of information depends on your location.
Yes, just updated my profile, thanks. Guess I'm still head scratching what to do on this site. I have used those products in different applications with good results and will consider them here as well. I guess we all keep searching for the magic bullet though.
whfarro
Chumono
Cabots Australian Timber Oil.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I alternate Indigo and Mahogany stain every couple years. Thompsons waterproofing every two years. Even keeps cheap pine shelving in decent condition.
Grimmy
Thanks for the advice everyone. I brought some old stands during the move and building new ones as well. I claimed the existing fenced vegetable garden area and am doing a conversion. Right now, dirt piles, lumber scraps and bonsai wherever I can manage to stuff them. In other words, everything is pretty normal here!
Done. Took a while. Previous owner had a fenced raised bed area she grew herbs and stuff in. There was even a xeriscape irrigation system installed. I tore out all the raised beds and brought in and built stands to make it my bonsai area with an emphasis on function over exhibition. I'm no carpenter, so keep in mind that if trashing my carpentery skills is your goal, you give me no choice but to cheerfully agree with you. A few pics.
CWTurner
Omono
Very nice. Fenced and everything. I like the tall 3-teired "sawhorse type" stands. I'm jealous!
CW
CW
JoeR
Masterpiece
Me and my father just built a new bench for my full sun trees. I have to sand it and stain it still though.
I bought a mahogany stain for it but I dont know what to seal it with. I made this one out of pine as a test to see if I like the layout and then when it gives Ill make a new one again out of cedar.
I bought a mahogany stain for it but I dont know what to seal it with. I made this one out of pine as a test to see if I like the layout and then when it gives Ill make a new one again out of cedar.
Cypress187
Masterpiece
It's very cool what u've got there man.
Thanks, I ended up using PT 2x4s for the tops of the new benches. I wanted assemble and forget about em benches. The older benches I brought over here have scrap Doug fir 2x4s and4x4s for the supports. I just stained them with a water based stain. So far they've held up fine.
JoeR
Masterpiece
I hope you dont mind me posting it here instead of a new thread Arcto.
After I long day of sanding I am still not done but here are some pictures. Its on my deck right now so I cant get a picture of the whole thing but its 8' on bottom and the top shelf is 6'6". What do you think? It cost less than $50 including stain and screws/nails.
It was made to be functional. I ussed PT 4x4's to add some contrast (when I stain them they will be much darker) and because they are recycled
.
I am certainly no carpenter.
After I long day of sanding I am still not done but here are some pictures. Its on my deck right now so I cant get a picture of the whole thing but its 8' on bottom and the top shelf is 6'6". What do you think? It cost less than $50 including stain and screws/nails.
It was made to be functional. I ussed PT 4x4's to add some contrast (when I stain them they will be much darker) and because they are recycled
.I am certainly no carpenter.
aml1014
Masterpiece
Benches look awsome man I'm building a large cold frame right now and wanna do some nice benches in it.
JoeR
Masterpiece
And we have stain!
I am very happy with the color as its exactly what I was hoping for.
Still looking for somethinf to preserve it as good as possible.
I am very happy with the color as its exactly what I was hoping for.
Still looking for somethinf to preserve it as good as possible.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
The natural version of this will work great and look good for you. I am pretty certain Home Depot has it as well... http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/penetrating-timber-oil/timber-oil
Grimmy
