Treating Fence Posts With Oil

By bob and sue buckner september october 1974.

Treating fence posts with oil.

This process is called seasoning and it allows the wood to dry out so that splits and checks open in the wood. They are also used in smokers farmers use in fields. This seems like it could greatly reduce the expence of some post replacements and fencing projects i ve been putting off but i am worries about weather the oil would do any damage to the water table or. Water damage makes the wood vulnerable to termites.

Untreated wooden fence posts are susceptible to water damage. Fill in the hole around the fence post with more 1 4 minus gravel packed tight against the sides of the post. Termite infestations quickly cut channels into the wood reducing it to powder and leaving only the severely weakened cellulose stalks in the wood. But i ve known some old timers who would make fence posts outa the type of small round wood you get when someone clears land by soaking them in a barrel of used motor oil for a month or two.

If the posts are still green they need to dry out before being treated with oil. They have stoves that will burn used motor oil in a lot of the garages. This helps to prevent fence panels from drying out cracking splitting and warping. Posted 8 years ago.

Diy treating a fence post the old way. As for cancerous effects on animals one pah in particular has proven to be a leading culprit. Motor oil is used as a wood preservative for fence posts. Allow fence posts to cure for 12 months before treating.

In short i would definitely say that treating fence posts with motor oil is rather dangerous. The story of an old time texas homesteader who makes his own treated fence posts from cleared wood and used motor oil. Wood oils not only keep garden fences looking better for longer they also nourish and feed the wood to keep it supple and water resistant. No treating fence posts with oil.

As much as 22 ppm. Set the post in the hole while holding a level on the side to check for plumb.