Treating non-PT pine...recommendations?

[Tim Morton]

I need to treat the end grain of some 4x4 posts and 2x6 pine, to prevent water damage...short of applying tar to the ends, what can i use? One end will be underground....the other exposed to the elements?

[Todd Burch]

Can you still get creosote?

[Tim Morton]

no and I can't find the stuff that replaced it either...drawing a mental blank of the name. I think its cuprinol...off to google it.

[Carl Eyman]

The shrimpers and oystermen on the Gulf use net dip to treat wood on their wooden boat parts. Now I know there probably not a lot of shrimping done on Lake Champlain, but maybe one of your NH or ME neighbors can help. I'd offer to send some, but I'm not sure about the hazardous substance issues. This has the same green color as treated lumber; so it probably contains copper.

[Lynn Sonier]

Yesterday, I watched Carl package a bottle of salad dressing to send to his son. He sealed it in several layers of plastic then packed in in foam peanuts. I shudder to think how he would ship hazardus materials!!!

[Mark Singer]

Tim,
Put gravel in each hole so the post can drain. Wrap it with bithuthane...and Henrys emulsion first. PT lumber or redwood are best.

[John Shuk]

pentachlorphinol is the replacement for coal tar creosote. It is just an insecticide. At Verizon we have gone back to creosote and it can still be gotten. I'd maybe put a bit of roofing tar or driveway sealer on what will be in the ground if you can't find creosote.