Deadwood Preservation Without Lime Sulfur

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fore

Omono
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Last yr., I spoke with a Chicago company that specializes in preservation and restoration of art and wood. I asked them what preservative they used on old wood (they were working on restoring a really old Torah that had paper, and the wood 'dolly' that held the Torah. So I asked about that piece of old wood). They said they used a resin called Acryloid B-72. I bought some from a company called Talus. They are clear little pellets that dissolves in Xylol.

So I finally got around to treating some pine jins. (I don't particularly like the whitening affect of LS) Here are some pics showing the products used, the before and after. Looks totally natural with no sheen, and it was readily absorbed by the wood. We'll see over time how it works out.

Xylol.jpg
IMG_1536.jpg Darn! It came out blurry. Sorry! Before.
IMG_1540.jpg After
 
Interesting.

Note that the restored art pieces are not subjected to water and elements though so we will see. Have you tried it on a regular wood (not pine or juni w/c are resinous)?

Thanks!
 
Yup Dario,

we have to wait and see how the rain and sun affect the compound.

Should also see what is used to preserve wood [ park benches ? ] on the outside.
Would wood glue for exterior use, work ?
Good Day
Anthony
 
No Dario, first time I've tried it. But unfort., you guys maybe right. I thought the Conservation Center told me it could be used on outdoor wood, but just did some more research and it may not hold up to weather. I'm going to put on another coat, and then wait and see. If it doesn't work, I'll need to find another LS alternative.
 
I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but wear gloves and don't breath in the xylol, it's bad stuff. We used that as well as about everything else as ingredients in our tire prep when we raced go-karts.

Brian
 
Kudos for keeping your eyes open and your willingness to share. Was curious as to the relative cost of the new alternative? Keep us in the loop and thanks :)
 
I've had good luck preserving deadwood on pines by lightly charring with a micro torch. Every few years, I will apply diluted lime sulfur to ever so slightly lighten the deadwood, but not as a preservative- lime sulfur really doesn't preserve anything. Here is a pic of my red pine from this past weekend...I applied a very dilute lime sulfur mix to the deadwood just last week.
 

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Wee said:
I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but wear gloves and don't breath in the xylol, it's bad stuff. We used that as well as about everything else as ingredients in our tire prep when we raced go-karts.

Brian
Click to expand...

I did it outside so no mask, and no gloves. I didn't know it was bad, just thought it was like denatured alcohol. Thank for telling me Brian, I'll be much more careful next time!
 
dick benbow said:
Kudos for keeping your eyes open and your willingness to share. Was curious as to the relative cost of the new alternative? Keep us in the loop and thanks :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dick. This was something I could find no one using it on b. forums, but I liked it's characteristics, so figured what the heck lol

It's actually quite cheap, 8 oz for $11.50 http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/product_specific.cfm?ClientID=15&ProductID=17018

And $12/qt of Xylol.

I'll keep this updated over time to document whether this is a worthwhile technique or not.
 
Dav4 said:
I've had good luck preserving deadwood on pines by lightly charring with a micro torch. Every few years, I will apply diluted lime sulfur to ever so slightly lighten the deadwood, but not as a preservative- lime sulfur really doesn't preserve anything. Here is a pic of my red pine from this past weekend...I applied a very dilute lime sulfur mix to the deadwood just last week.
Click to expand...

I know charring of the deadwood helps start the aging process, but am unaware of it preserving deadwood. Good point on LS not being a preservative, but this is what most use only anyway. So that's why I was looking for something else to try that actually preserves deadwood..esp. softwood like pines' deadwood.
 
Doesn't one that retards decomposition a preservative? By avoiding rot to start I would say LS is a preservative. :D (me and my weird reasoning again LOL) It won't restore like a wood hardener would though.

BTW, juni and pine are resinous (sap) w/c makes them naturally resistant to rot.
 
fore said:
I know charring of the deadwood helps start the aging process, but am unaware of it preserving deadwood. Good point on LS not being a preservative, but this is what most use only anyway. So that's why I was looking for something else to try that actually preserves deadwood..esp. softwood like pines' deadwood.
Click to expand...

I read in an article in Bonsai Focus on deadwood, I believe, by Francois Jeker. He stated that the heat from the torch changes the structure of the lignin, I think, making it harder and more rot resistant. The jins on my JRP are at least 5-6 years old, and just as solid as the day they were created.
 
Dav4 said:
I read in an article in Bonsai Focus on deadwood, I believe, by Francois Jeker. He stated that the heat from the torch changes the structure of the lignin, I think, making it harder and more rot resistant. The jins on my JRP are at least 5-6 years old, and just as solid as the day they were created.
Click to expand...

Thats very interesting Dave! I'm going to experiment with this and see for myself. Besides, sounds like a fun experiment! lol
 
I must admit...deadwood on bonsai intrigues me...I am curious...is it inevitable to lose the tree from the deadwood taking over completely? Or...can a preventative keep that at bay?
 
Cadillactaste said:
I must admit...deadwood on bonsai intrigues me...I am curious...is it inevitable to lose the tree from the deadwood taking over completely? Or...can a preventative keep that at bay?
Click to expand...

On a healthy tree, it can actually heal over some. Most dead wood deteriorate though and in time you will just have a hole (uro) instead of a protruding wood (jin). In pines and juniper, the deadwood last a lot longer due to their resin which acts as preservative. Broad leaf, though they have harder wood rot faster.
 
PiñonJ said:
GrimLore said:
I would just plain recommend this product http://www.homedepot.com/p/PC-Produ...r-Wood-Hardener-164440/100649629#.UmAtJ53D-M8 It is the most friendly product of its class I have found and not pricey...

Can it be used on shari, or will it damage the adjacent cambium?
Click to expand...
I've used it on shari with no problems. Mind you, the deadwood has been exposed to the air and drying for some time, and the surrounding bark has rolled over any exposed cambium, so the two really never come in contact.
Click to expand...
 
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