It is common to stain or paint a wood surface. But have you heard of using pine tar? It is a traditional way of treating wood. It comes from the sap of trees. Although there are alternatives available today, pine tar remains a popular product to treat wood.
Impressive Benefits of Pine Tar
This product acts as a wood preservative. It protects the surface from the harsh elements of nature. It does so by penetrating the wood. But that’s not all it can do. It also prevents drying and cracking by retaining the natural moisture of the wood. It keeps out water that can seriously harm the surface.
What Color of Pine Tar is Available?
One of the many things to like about this product is that it is available in a variety of colors. Depending on your preference, you can get a red tint or shades of brown or black. Although it can function as paint, it does more than that. It stains the surface so that the grain of the wood will show. However, the color depends on the can. If you need to apply the product to a wider area, you may need several cans. Thus, you should mix up the cans to make sure you get consistent color results.
Should You Dilute the Product?
Pine tar is sticky. Hence, it is difficult to apply it to the wood surface. But you can make it less sticky by diluting it with linseed oil or turpentine. You should also consider warming up the mixture before using it. In this way, it will dry up fast and make it easier to apply on the surface.
Does It Have a Strong Odor?
The scent of this product can be strong. Hence, you should apply it outdoors. If you need to apply it to your hardwood flooring inside your house, make sure that the room is well-ventilated. But some people can endure the scent. The smell is like the burning of wood. Your neighbor might think that your house is on fire because of the smell. Thankfully, though, it dries after a few days. When that happens, the smell also fades away. But some people like the smell of the product. So, it depends on your preference.
What Brush to Use When Applying the Product?
As mentioned, pine tar is sticky. But you need to use a wide brush. It ensures that you will cover a lot of areas, including the crevices and cracks in the wood. Applying a generous amount of coat will provide great protection to the wood.
How Often to Re-Apply It?
It lasts a long time. You may need to re-apply every five years. But it still depends on the appearance of the surface. If the coat is losing its color, then it might be time to re-apply pine tar. For more information about pine tar or learn how to purchase it, make sure to give us a call at (818) 308-8430.