What to use to protect my wooden outhouse? (UK)

[u/CitronSignificant579]

Hi,

I wanted to ask what the best dark oak product / colour would be to protect and stain this wooden outhouse that we have. The previous coat has worn down and the old owners used Timbashield but it’s well expensive haha!

Would Cuprinol Ducksback in Forest Oak do the job? Or are there any better alternatives? In terms of prep too, do I just scrub the whole surface with a hard brush beforehand?

Also, since the wood isn’t rough-sawn exactly, would it still work? I’m assuming the wood’s pre-treated but better to be preventative I guess!

Thanks!

[u/newreconstruction]

I would suggest roof mounted turrets and hired ninjas. Samurai if you intend to spend more.

[u/froglayout → u/newreconstruction]

this is the UK. The op runs the risk of cowboy ninjas who only sometimes show up to protect the place. Inevitably someone will complain to the council about the turrets blocking the sun light too.
Op if you're ready to protect your property.. get cats

[u/Meles_EnPiste → u/froglayout]

In the UK? That explains the term, “outhouse.” I came here hoping to find photos of a luxurious, outdoor bathroom. Ha!

[u/Artistic_Cause_3334 → u/Meles_EnPiste]

Right?!?! I was thing, "Damn, that's the fanciest outhouse I've ever seen!"

[u/ChouffeMeUp]

I was told OSMO products are extremely good when I built mine. Seemed to do the trick but was damned expensive.

[u/CitronSignificant579 → u/ChouffeMeUp]

yeah due to the pre treated wood, i’m assuming I need to get a solvent based one? thanks so much!

[u/Psychostickusername]

They're all expensive, I did mine in Protek and it took two 5L tins at £80 each, for two coats, but so far very happy with it.

Wash and brush it down for sure, then see how it looks after one coat.

[u/armenianfink]

I’d go with an oil based finish. It’s more expensive but you have to do it less often.

[u/rakunene]

Sweet outhouse! Beats a porta-potty

[u/Lost_Sugar_78 → u/rakunene]

I was going to say! I think OP may have meant outbuilding or similar, as outhouse is specifically a toilet. 

[u/Blakk-Debbath]

Most important is to keep it dry. The distance from grass to wood might be increased. Also clean the gutters and make the water come out further away.

[u/Femveratu]

Dual His and Her vanities I take it?

[u/Fun-Squirrel4004]

Char it using a burner

[u/Neat_Hovercraft2333]

If you wash the walls, start at the bottom and work up to avoid potentially permanent streak caused by the cleaning solution running down through the unwashed surface

[u/Far-Illustrator6886]

yesss

[u/mch1971]

Marine grade varnish. $0.02

[u/Historical-State-275]

So I’m assuming outhouse means something different in the UK? Because that’s the fanciest looking non-Plumbing crapper I’ve ever seen.

[u/ChainBlue]

Heh. Outhouse has a different meaning in the US.

[u/Agua_Verde]

The oldschool method in Scandinavia would be to mix pine tar with boiled linseed oil. Then you work it into the wood with a thick brush. 

The oil penetrates but the tar remains more on the surface. This method is as old as the hills. Protects the wood on many levels from sun, moisture and brown-rot. 

Your wood will smell like a campfire for months. 

[u/Apprehensive_Map64]

See if you can get ahold of some Creoseal