Comments on: Log Home Repair & Restoration: Replacing Chinking and Fixing Logs Part VI – Home Brew Wood and Log Preservative

By: Skip King

Skip King — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:10:33 +0000

Boric Acid available from Hardware stores and Lowes,
$4-$5 /lb., as:
Zap a Roach
Hot Shot MaxAttrax Roach killer
Propylene Glycol available from NAPA stores and online,
16/gal., as:
SIERRA Antifreeze

Hope this helps. Blue skies.

By: Monique

Monique — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:33:28 +0000

sorry, i made a mistake on my email address, I have corrected it now.

By: Monique

Monique — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:32:20 +0000

Hi There, I am wondering if this solution is safe to use on the inside logs of our home. Also, did I read correctly that I do not have to cook the solution? Can I just mix the ingredients then apply right away? I am thrilled at finding this site, all other preservatives were so expensive.
Thanks for your help, Monique

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:17:21 +0000

I made a solution of 1 cup Borax, 2 cups boiling water to dissolve. I added this to 1 qt plumbers antifreeze and approx. 2-3 qts cold water. My cabin is 11/16 tongue and groove boards and required 2 gallons for one “coat.” So far I haven’t noticed the ants “repopulating” but time will tell…

By: Bearfort

Bearfort — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:05:53 +0000

Hello Greg — Sorry to hear about you situation. NO – you do not have to cook it down – it CAN be used right after mixing. You can pray the material on the affected areas. Apply liberally on the ends of the logs as the capillary action of the wood will help to pull the propylene glycol mixture into the log. You can spray the entire exterior with the mixture – HOWEVER.

I would make a mixture with the propylene glycol and boric acid or Penetreat on the end of the logs. For the rest of the log I would use just a mixture of the Penetreat (boric acid) and water mixture.

The boric acid will dry out and kill off the mold as well as kill off insects.

The only time that I use the propylene glycol mixture is for rotted wood which I apply to the ends and the particular area of rot.