Thompson's Water Seal?

[Ultradog MN]

I'd like to build a small deck next to our camp trailer. Just something to stamp the dirt, snow, grass and leaves off your boots before going inside and wiping them on the rug. Or put an old chair out there so you can sit down and take your boots off. Something about 6x8'. Lay it on some bricks so it's just off the ground.
I have a bunch of untreated 2x6s of random length in the shed up there.
Wondering if untreated lumber will rot so fast it's not worth using them?
I remember Dad using Thompson's long ago. I can buy it at Menards for $19/gal. Spray it on with a pump sprayer.
Looking for some advice to make a platform.
Should mention I'm cheap and do have that lumber I could get rid of.

 

[Gene Davis(Ga.)]

I use it on the treated southern yellow pine lumber floor on my 16' trailer, works good, but needs redoing about every 6 months or so to give the best protection. I apply it with a paint roller and it is $18 per gallon at Walmart here.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I use it on the treated southern yellow pine lumber floor on my 16' trailer, works good, but needs redoing about every 6 months or so to give the best protection. I apply it with a paint roller and it is $18 per gallon at Walmart here.

How many gallons does it take to do the trailer? I think my deck would be about half that size.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Personally, I would never use untreated wood outdoors, unless it happened to be a rot-resistant species such as redwood, teak or douglas fir.

Also, Thompson's Water Seal is a terrible product. It's basically paraffin and tends to collect dirt. You used to be able to buy copper napthenate, which will give real rot resistance. I'm not sure what products are still available that would work for you. Bear in mind that anything you apply by hand isn't going to give the penetration that proper pressure-treating will. But if you insist on DIY treatment, be sure and saturate the end grain with the treatment, because that's where rot fungus enters the board.

For a small project like you describe, you'll be way ahead just buying good pressure-treated southern yellow pine. No treatment required.

 

[Tgrasher]

If air can flow underneath, you might consider outdoor carpet that is waterproof and would wrap around edges to shed water, keeping the wood dry. A stiff bristle broom easily cleans the carpet.

 

[MM-TX]

Redi Seal is, in my opinion, the best penetrating sealer you can get. The company was recently bought by Rust-Oleum but I don't think the formula has been messed up yet. It has a strong odor which is why I think it works so well. Looks like they have retailers in your area.

READY SEAL® Wood Stain & Sealer | Easy, Long‑Lasting Protection

READY SEAL® wood stain-and-sealer-in-one delivers rich color, easy application, and long‑lasting protection for decks, fences, and outdoor wood.

www.readyseal.com

 

[Hobo,NC]

I'd like to build a small deck next to our camp trailer. Just something to stamp the dirt, snow, grass and leaves off your boots before going inside and wiping them on the rug. Or put an old chair out there so you can sit down and take your boots off. Something about 6x8'. Lay it on some bricks so it's just off the ground.
I have a bunch of untreated 2x6s of random length in the shed up there.
Wondering if untreated lumber will rot so fast it's not worth using them?
I remember Dad using Thompson's long ago. I can buy it at Menards for $19/gal. Spray it on with a pump sprayer.
Looking for some advice to make a platform.
Should mention I'm cheap and do have that lumber I could get rid of.

The old clear Thompson's Water Seal worked great for me I can not find it local anymore. I have used the newer water base it sucks. I have not been able to spray it like the old stuff. I still have a handicap ramp going to my front door that's never used it was built to last I am tempted to put used motor oil on it. The only time it used is when I blow it off. I keep it chained off with a plastic chain for some reason that chain attracts a kid they will play with it till its broke are drag it off in the yard.

I treated the deck on my first house every year with the old clear multipurpose Thompson's Water Seal 30 years later when I sold it the deck looked great with no rot are separation of wood.

 

[John P.]

I used a roller to apply it in on our small utility trailer when I rebuilt the deck this past summer after the pressure treated wood dried out.

 

[Wdj]

Redi Seal is, in my opinion, the best penetrating sealer you can get. The company was recently bought by Rust-Oleum but I don't think the formula has been messed up yet. It has a strong odor which is why I think it works so well. Looks like they have retailers in your area.

READY SEAL® Wood Stain & Sealer | Easy, Long‑Lasting Protection

READY SEAL® wood stain-and-sealer-in-one delivers rich color, easy application, and long‑lasting protection for decks, fences, and outdoor wood.

www.readyseal.com

X-2 on ready seal

 

[Wdj]

Personally, I would never use untreated wood outdoors, unless it happened to be a rot-resistant species such as redwood, teak or douglas fir.

Also, Thompson's Water Seal is a terrible product. It's basically paraffin and tends to collect dirt. You used to be able to buy copper napthenate, which will give real rot resistance. I'm not sure what products are still available that would work for you. Bear in mind that anything you apply by hand isn't going to give the penetration that proper pressure-treating will. But if you insist on DIY treatment, be sure and saturate the end grain with the treatment, because that's where rot fungus enters the board.

For a small project like you describe, you'll be way ahead just buying good pressure-treated southern yellow pine. No treatment required.

A few months ago I was able to get copper napthenate from my small town hardware store. Home Depot no longer carries it.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Personally, I would never use untreated wood outdoors, unless it happened to be a rot-resistant species such as redwood, teak or douglas fir...

For a small project like you describe, you'll be way ahead just buying good pressure-treated southern yellow pine. No treatment required

I just checked Menards and PT lumber for a 6x8' deck would cost me ~ $230
I failed to mention that I'm not just cheap,
I'm downright parsimonious!
Hobo has got me thinking tho.
" I am tempted to put used motor oil on it."
I was given a 2 gallon jug of 30W non detergent oil a few years ago. Used some of it in the air filters of tractors but still have about half left.
Maybe I'll mix it with mineral spirits so I can spray it. Do it on my trailer so the drippings treat the trailer deck a little too.
Could use the loader, turn it over and do the underside also.
Any thoughts?

 

[Ray,IN]

I used clear concrete sealer I had left-over from my garage floor on my 24' flatbed trailers new wooden deck. The wood still looked great when I sold the trailer. The average concrete sealer is waterproof, but gas will dissolve it quickly, it's oil-proof though.
I applied it with an old wall-paper brush(remember those?)

 

[moresmoke]

Woodlife copper coat? Also available at Menards.

I used some on a trailer last year. The jury is still out.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I just checked Menards and PT lumber for a 6x8' deck would cost me ~ $230
I failed to mention that I'm not just cheap,
I'm downright parsimonious!
Hobo has got me thinking tho.
" I am tempted to put used motor oil on it."
I was given a 2 gallon jug of 30W non detergent oil a few years ago. Used some of it in the air filters of tractors but still have about half left.
Maybe I'll mix it with mineral spirits so I can spray it. Do it on my trailer so the drippings treat the trailer deck a little too.
Could use the loader, turn it over and do the underside also.
Any thoughts?

Having stepped right through a rotten plank in an untreated deck, 230 bucks doesn't sound too bad versus a broken ankle. Some folks like to use motor oil on decks; I haven't tried it. It sounds dirty and slippery to me. I think either boiled or raw linseed oil would be a better choice.

 

[UncleTom]

Thompsons water seal isnt the same formula as what it use to be.

 

[DRussell]

I would not want to put used or new motor oil on any wood I would ever step from into my house. I'd also not want to ever step from my house in bare feet or in socks out onto a deck that was treated with motor oil.

I get using the wood you already have. I'd buy 4 of those deck blocks from Lowes/Home Depot/Your favorite building supply store and put it on those rather than just some bricks. Those hold it farther off of the ground, about 8 inches, and I think, allow it to dry out faster after rain or snow. I might not treat it at all, and just plan to rebuild it in a few years. What kind of wood do you have available?

 

[jddrawbar]

I would not want to put used or new motor oil on any wood I would ever step from into my house. I'd also not want to ever step from my house in bare feet or in socks out onto a deck that was treated with motor oil.

I get using the wood you already have. I'd buy 4 of those deck blocks from Lowes/Home Depot/Your favorite building supply store and put it on those rather than just some bricks. Those hold it farther off of the ground, about 8 inches, and I think, allow it to dry out faster after rain or snow. I might not treat it at all, and just plan to rebuild it in a few years. What kind of wood do you have available?

Gorilla has a rubber based sealer that has a good rating.....$35 a gal. at ACE. I have no personal use......

 

[Duner Wi]

I just checked Menards and PT lumber for a 6x8' deck would cost me ~ $230
I failed to mention that I'm not just cheap,
I'm downright parsimonious!
Hobo has got me thinking tho.
" I am tempted to put used motor oil on it."
I was given a 2 gallon jug of 30W non detergent oil a few years ago. Used some of it in the air filters of tractors but still have about half left.
Maybe I'll mix it with mineral spirits so I can spray it. Do it on my trailer so the drippings treat the trailer deck a little too.
Could use the loader, turn it over and do the underside also.
Any thoughts?

9 inch roller, do both sides. Body Schutz gun works good 4 inch paint brush works pretty good. , Have it good and dry before applying.

 

[RedMF40]

Got any good quality exterior house paint around? You might give that a try, especially in the flat finish, which would hopefully be more slip resistant. Just thinking outside the box here.

 

[abuelo]

Having stepped right through a rotten plank in an untreated deck, 230 bucks doesn't sound too bad versus a broken ankle. Some folks like to use motor oil on decks; I haven't tried it. It sounds dirty and slippery to me. I think either boiled or raw linseed oil would be a better choice.