Alane Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 The exterior timbers on our barn have, in places, been treated with a black substance that I assume is creosote. I'd like to get back to a more natural look. While I can get it off by using a sanding disc on an angle grinder this is messy and time consuming and also loses some of the wood in the process, presumably sand blasting would also work but would no doubt be costly as well.Power washing removes some of the residue but not all - are there any products on the market that will remove creosote from timber, or at least the worst of it? I seem to recall this coming up before but I've done a search and can't find it. Some neighbours suggested oxalic acid and I've used this on small areas inside but this seems to be for lightening dark timbers, not for removing creosote.All help gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Are you sure it is creosote, which is a very thin oil which soaks into the wood? I doubt if it can be removed, as it penetrates deep (as it is meant to do).Is it not pitch or bitumen? If so, white spirit and a wire brush should remove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana (ex tag) Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 If it is creosote a couple of winters will give it a nice used look. I don't think it is from the little detail you give. Sounds like a tar based substance which is a right pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Nasty stuff: banned in Europe in 2003, except under strict professional (licensed) use.Great for preserving woods like railway sleepers: also great as a carcinogen.Main source for wood treatment was coal tar base.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CreosoteAs Nick says, if creosote, it would soak right into the wood as it creeps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly (used to be Charlotte3) Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 It definitely doesn't sound like creosote...it soaks in and wouldn't leave a 'black substance' behind.I think it's pitch (which is actually another form of creosote), and I'm afraid that normally means white spirit and wire brush. Even then it's unlikely you'll get rid of all traces. Sand blasting should work but is relatively expensive. Perhaps you could use a combination of the two?Do make sure you protect your skin while attempting to remove any coal tar based products because they are irritants.Good luck,Aly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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