Comments on: Resource for Borate Based Wood Preservative

By: Bearfort

Bearfort — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Hello Karen — So glad that you found the site — thanks! — Yes the powder that I dust on is Penetreat. Timbor is another brand of the powder that I use. These are borate based products that I recommend – you can use either product – I just happen to have both. When you ‘dust’ on the product — I use an empty ketchup squeeze bottle partly filled with the borate and then ‘puff’ the borate into cracks and between the logs before I chink. – You can use it straight from the container or following the directions on the side of the container of either product make a 10% solution of water and the borate and using a spray bottle or garden sprayer apply the material.

When using the powder dry — keep in mind that a little goes a very long ways. – Just a dusting will do it. when spraying — the same thing applies – just a gentle squirt of the solution – think of it like spraying a little water on a shirt before ironing – just enough to make it slightly damp. When the water dries the crystals of the borate will reform resulting in a slight white-ish residue on the log. I would only use either method between the logs before chinking.

By: Karen Cameron

Karen Cameron — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:04:35 +0000

Hello, we have a hand hewn 1837 log cabin and I am about to follow all your methods for rechinking – thank you for great advice. The whole cabin is inside another building, so non of the walls are exterior. I want to use the borate powder that you suggest that I “dust on” on. Is this powder the penetreat powder – straight from the container,and not mixed with anything?
Thanks
Karen

By: Fill The Small Spacing In Chinking Using A Pastry Bag

Fill The Small Spacing In Chinking Using A Pastry Bag — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:26:45 +0000

[...] cleaned out the spot in question and placed a few new nails in. I have also prepped the area with Penetreat as I have each time I do [...]

By: Bearfort

Bearfort — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:44:15 +0000

Hey Brian – Well 20 Mule Team will be great for cleaning the logs but its not quite the same thing as a borate based product or material for preserving wood. — When making the solution you can start with a 10% solution following the directions on the container. I use a garden sprayer. I find it dries rather quickly as long as you are not saturating the wood – I don’t soak the wood. Its usually dry by the time I start chinking not because i’m following some rule but but the time I finshi one task and move to the next its usually dry.

By: BRIAN

BRIAN — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:25:45 +0000

So I’m getting ready to chink my log cabin and would like to pre-treat the logs with the Mule Team Borax Soap…..Is there a soap:water ratio? Do I use a garden sprayer or brush it on? How long do I let it dry before I start chinking?

Thanks,
Brian