I hate AC2 lumber

[Geo-TH,In]

I'm replacing AC2 boards as needed with special order CCA boards form Menards.
I ordered 3. 2x6 x 8 and 3. 2x6 x 12 ft.
Tax included $80.
You can see in the first picture I have to splice two boards because I can't buy an 18 ft 2x6 CCA. Besides I couldn't lift an 18 foot board.

 

[GeneMO]

You can special order the old CCA? I did not know that. Wish we could still get the old "Penta" wood treatment.

Gene

 

[Caryc]

OK, I'm a dummy, AC2...CCA?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

You can special order the old CCA? I did not know that. Wish we could still get the old "Penta" wood treatment.

Gene

 

[TheBartman47]

Old-time technique is regular, un-treated boards then "paint" them with used motor oil, let it soak in and give another coat.

 

[kencombs]

Geo, I've had pretty good results with the new stuff, but I add a waterproofing coating on it as soon as it drys a bit. That wood doesn't look as much rotten as just a lot of water damage, soaking, freezing etc. And probably a lower grade of starting stock than we would like. I search for SYP lumber, #2 and hand selected by me, let it dry for a few weeks then add Flood CWF to it. No failures yet on trailer decks. The CWF is pretty good by itself though.

Not every place can/will order the CCA, local Lowes doesn't, but my real lumber yard will. Difference between primarily dealing with contractors and not. The yard can and will get any length, if trees grow long enough they will get it. Treated will require a wait though for anything over 16.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Geo, I've had pretty good results with the new stuff, but I add a waterproofing coating on it as soon as it drys a bit. That wood doesn't look as much rotten as just a lot of water damage, soaking, freezing etc. And probably a lower grade of starting stock than we would like. I search for SYP lumber, #2 and hand selected by me, let it dry for a few weeks then add Flood CWF to it. No failures yet on trailer decks. The CWF is pretty good by itself though.

Not every place can/will order the CCA, local Lowes doesn't, but my real lumber yard will. Difference between primarily dealing with contractors and not. The yard can and will get any length, if trees grow long enough they will get it. Treated will require a wait though for anything over 16.

KEN
I read where Lowes and Home Depot in Leesburg, Florida stocks CCA ground contact construction wood for boat docks.
2x6 cca is cheaper than 5/4 AC2 deck boards in Florida. Go figure.
Pole barns use CCA posts in Indiana.
I'm lucky to get 11 years out ac2 lumber before it turns to crap. Some boards on my trailer are 14 years old. I keep a close eye and replace those I can poke an ice pick in them.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Old-time technique is regular, un-treated boards then "paint" them with used motor oil, let it soak in and give another coat.

I painted mine with used motor oil. I think they rotted faster trapping the moisture. Mine rotted from the inside out.
I'll never use oil on my CCA deck boards. I have a small deck made from 2x6 cca. NEVER done anything to it and 35 years later it is good.
I'm constantly replacing ac2 5/4 deck boards.
I had a tenant put a flower pot on his deck. That trapped moisture and the 5/4 deck boards under the flower pots was rotted.

 

[m16ty]

Old-time technique is regular, un-treated boards then "paint" them with used motor oil, let it soak in and give another coat.

I use a 50/50 used engine oil and diesel mix. Works great and if you don't over apply it's not slick after a rain. Once I started doing that my trailer boards last a lot longer. I usually have to apply about twice a year with a oil pump sprayer, but it's cheap and seems to really protect the wood.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I use a 50/50 used engine oil and diesel mix. Works great and if you don't over apply it's not slick after a rain. Once I started doing that my trailer boards last a lot longer. I usually have to apply about twice a year with a oil pump sprayer, but it's cheap and seems to really protect the wood.

It's your money do what you think is best.
I think oil makes my deck very dangerous when wet.
On a few occasions the wet deck caused my tractor to slide sideways when I was backing up.
The trailer wasn't level. My son was was unloading the Jubilee from the trailer and it was raining.
He applied just the right brake, not both. The front end of the Jubilee slid sideways and the front wheels missed the ramps.
Good thing no damage. Son needed a change of underwear.
I'm totally against oiling my wood deck.
Do what you think is best.
I plan to put down expanded metal to prevent tractors sliding sideways.

 

[kencombs]

KEN
I read where Lowes and Home Depot in Leesburg, Florida stocks CCA ground contact construction wood for boat docks.
2x6 cca is cheaper than 5/4 AC2 deck boards in Florida. Go figure.
Pole barns use CCA posts in Indiana.
I'm lucky to get 11 years out ac2 lumber before it turns to crap. Some boards on my trailer are 14 years old. I keep a close eye and replace those I can poke an ice pick in them.

Makes sense that Florida companies stock what the local demand is. Most better pole barn builders here are using laminated posts. Easier to get straighter and they only use CCA for the lower parts. Anything not in the ground is untreated.

I suspect the reason that deck boards are more expensive is due to the extra machining to round all 4 edges and better planing on all surfaces. That and framing lumber is allowed some bark on the edges so they get more boards per log.

Even CCA stuff doesn't seem to last as long as it used to. I think the biggest reason is the use of very young, newer growth logs and including the pith. Looking at the pic you posted it appears to be from the very center of a small tree with wide growth rings. Those wide rings are much softer that tighter, older trees.

 

[m16ty]

It's your money do what you think is best.
I think oil makes my deck very dangerous when wet.
On a few occasions the wet deck caused my tractor to slide sideways when I was backing up.
The trailer wasn't level. My son was was unloading the Jubilee from the trailer and it was raining.
He applied just the right brake, not both. The front end of the Jubilee slid sideways and the front wheels missed the ramps.
Good thing no damage. Son needed a change of underwear.
I'm totally against oiling my wood deck.
Do what you think is best.
I plan to put down expanded metal to prevent tractors sliding sideways.

The trick is to not over apply. I'll spray a good coat on, let it sit out in the sun for a couple days, and the wood will soak it all up. I haven't noticed it being any slicker than just regular treated wood. CCA can also get slick when wet.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

The trick is to not over apply. I'll spray a good coat on, let it sit out in the sun for a couple days, and the wood will soak it all up. I haven't noticed it being any slicker than just regular treated wood. CCA can also get slick when wet.

Please do what you think is best.
I'm not on your side using oil. My wood rotted from the inside because of trapped moisture.
One time I put shingles on steps for an old man. 2 years later the shingles caused the steps to rot from the inside out.
Look closely at my pic. The top of the wood looks fine, The oil traps moisture and the woods rots from the inside.
That's all I have to say about trapping moisture.

 

[StuartM]

I painted mine with used motor oil. I think they rotted faster trapping the moisture. Mine rotted from the inside out.
I'll never use oil on my CCA deck boards. I have a small deck made from 2x6 cca. NEVER done anything to it and 35 years later it is good.
I'm constantly replacing ac2 5/4 deck boards.
I had a tenant put a flower pot on his deck. That trapped moisture and the 5/4 deck boards under the flower pots was rotted.

They rot because the trailer sits outside and probably on gravel or grass. It would be better if it sat on a cement pad. Another idea would be to buy the lumber two years in advance, let it dry out, install it then coat it with Thompson water seal. I have few neighbors who have trailers that live outside and they gets many years out of doing this.

 

[StuartM]

It's your money do what you think is best.
I think oil makes my deck very dangerous when wet.
On a few occasions the wet deck caused my tractor to slide sideways when I was backing up.
The trailer wasn't level. My son was was unloading the Jubilee from the trailer and it was raining.
He applied just the right brake, not both. The front end of the Jubilee slid sideways and the front wheels missed the ramps.
Good thing no damage. Son needed a change of underwear.
I'm totally against oiling my wood deck.
Do what you think is best.
I plan to put down expanded metal to prevent tractors sliding sideways.

Tractor operating lessons are needed. lol

 

[Frankmn]

You can special order the old CCA? I did not know that. Wish we could still get the old "Penta" wood treatment.

Gene

You can special order it but it is the .60 treated material for wood foundations. It does last a long time mainly because it is foundation grade,
not the old .40 ground contact grade.

 

[Frankmn]

OK, I'm a dummy, AC2...CCA?

It is ACQ, and CCA. CCA stands for copper chromium and arsenic. ACQ is Alkaline copper Quaternary. It is a water based preservative. Back in the day, i had cca lumber scraps rejected at the landfill. Has to take them with me. So i burned them. I am sure that was better for the environment, right?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Tractor operating lessons are needed. lol

Actually the left brake needs to adjusted.