Wood Treatment Products

Light Organic Solvent Preservatives

• Light organic solvent preservatives are specialized treatments for wood that people generally use to protect pricier items like woodworking joints. This product makes the wood dry and stable and is good for keeping termites out. It may contain fungicides, insecticides or chemicals to repel water. The product creates a protective envelope around a product.

Chromated Copper Arsenate

• Chromated copper arsenate is a chemical treatment that protects against insects and microbes that may rot the wood. As the name implies, the treatment contains arsenic, chromium and copper, and people use it to treat lumber for decks, playgrounds and other uses. Most wood used in residential areas is CCA-treated. However, some have raised concerns that the arsenic in the wood makes it a potential health hazard for children who play on a treated playground.

Linseed Oil

• Linseed oil, which comes from flaxseed, is used for all sorts of things, one of them being wood treatment. You can either get raw or boiled linseed oil to treat the wood. Raw linseed oil contains no additives and takes days to fully dry and cure. Boiled linseed oil contains solvents the cause the oil to dry more quickly, usually in about a day. Do not use it for wood that sits outdoors, however.

Tung Oil

• Tung oil is a good option for those who want a natural furniture finish. The oil is flexible and won't crack under expansion and contraction of the wood due to temperature or humidity. The oil soaks into the wood's pores and keeps moisture out as well as give the wood a nice sheen. It's a good idea to apply multiple coats to build solid protection. You can get pure tung oil, which is difficult to use because it is so thick, or a tung oil finish product that has been thinned with solvents.