09/17/04, 03:48 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 30
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USDA-developed Wood Preservative
The following wood-preservative recipe was developed by the USDA’s Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) to protect wood used above ground for up to 20 years (Moore, 1993). The preservative was not tested for in-ground use (MacMillen, 1995), but is “safe for wood used in the ground — that is, it won’t leach toxic chemicals into your garden soil — and the wood will last longer than if left untreated” (Rodale, Inc., 2001). In the 2002 BIRC article “Moisture Management to Prevent Wood Decay,” the authors state:
Unfortunately, the FPL’s water repellent is not satisfactory for the Pacific Northwest or the southeastern areas of the U.S where warm temperatures and high humidity create optimal conditions for fungi. In these climates, or where wood is in contact with moist soil, addition of a copper-based chemical such as copper-8-quinolinolate [See *Note, next page] to the FPL’s water repellent can be tried. (Daar and Olkowski, 2002)
The original recipe calls for using paraffin wax, a petroleum derivative that is prohibited under the NOP section 205.105 (c), but a substitute like carnauba or wood rosin wax may work as well. Remember that before using this or any recipe, it is necessary to make sure that all the ingredients are listed on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances as NOSB approved, or are approved by your organic certifiers.
Ingredients:
1½ cups boiled linseed oil
1 ounce of paraffin (substitute carnauba or wood rosin wax, provided they contain no
prohibited substances)
Enough solvent (distilled pine tar, mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine, citrus
thinner, or whatever is approved) at room temperature to make the total volume of the mix one full gallon.
Directions:
Melt the paraffin over water in a double boiler. Do not heat over a direct flame. Away from the heat source, stir the solvent vigorously, and then slowly stir in the melted paraffin. Add the linseed oil and continue to stir thoroughly. Apply by dipping the untreated lumber in the mixture for three minutes or by brushing a heavy application across the wood’s grain and on the cut ends of the lumber. The wood can be painted when it’s thoroughly dry.
Cautions and suggestions:
This solution is flammable, so all mixing should be done outdoors. Wear gloves, avoid breathing the vapors, and avoid contact with face and eyes. The mixture may separate when cool; if so, just warm it to room temperature and stir. Like many other finishes, it may need to be reapplied every few years. The wood can be painted when the finish is thoroughly dry.
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