Not Buick related I have a project to work on. Need to replace the slats on a park bench that has the iron ends for legs and arms. Can I use pressure treated pine to replace the slats? I know cedar or redwood would be a better choice but the cost would not make this project not worth doing? Has anyone used pressure treated lumber for this type of project?
Problem with pressure treated is that in a few years it will be giving you splinters unless you paint/stain it every year. Just replace my deck and used Trex. We'll see how that works.
Pressure treated has a tendency to twist. You will be money ahead if you use redwood or a synthetic product.
You could probably get away with a good grade of fur - provided you leave a gap for the water to drain. It too can splinter as it ages. You could paint the wood with something like this -- https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympic-rescue-it-rust-oleum-deck-restore-do-they-work/
Its changed chemically over the past 10 years or so but used to give you bad stuff with skin contact. It wasn't recommended for picnic tables and you dont want some weird tumors growing downstairs! Twisting can be controlled with some battens to hold it steady. I use it all the time on the boat now (finished stuff is mahogany or teak), and seems to hold up really well... Stay away from menards or the homo depot; go to a lumber yard for good long leaf yellow pine ws
I would stay away from the treated wood. Products like Trex and Azek are great options for your project. If wood needs to be used, a good alternative to redwoods, cedars, teak etc. would be an African Mahogany wood and even Sapele wood. Cypress is another under rated lighter colored wood that could be used on exterior projects also.
I did my Park Bench with left over Trex decking . Cut the decking in half and it was close to the original wood. I had a Bench with 2 ends and a center support section. Made it 7 and a 1/2 feet long and now know that's too long as its a little soft between the uprights, I am going to shorten it when I get around to it. It would probably be fine at 6 foot.
IIRC treated wood contains arsenic to keep the insects away, not sure I would want to sit on that, especially when it starts to splinter!
I believe arsenic has been banned in pressure treated wood for about 12 years now. How about Cedar for bench slats?
I would think find a city owned park bench and remove the wood from that. That way you know its epa safe. If that seems risky I would think Oak would be best. You can find Oak pallets behind most whare houses for free .
Alan, Did you see the photobucket post about linking your photos, someone was able to link the two photos you had in your signature.
I read your post. And you know your wood Bill. Treated wood is no treat to use anymore. It may not rot, but it certainly will twist and warp, even more so than my mind.
work for the h*&^ depot, I try to steer customers away from the pressure treated wood, unless it is required for a sill plate or they are absolutely bent on buying it. It will twist..
I know its weird, but when I cruise the treated aisle at the Homo or retards, the next stop is the little boys room. Call me Dookie Howser! Yeah...the trick with the pretzels is to get it fastened into the spot where its going before it dries out. NMG... you probably don't have the problem in the Land of Enchantment, but up here the stuff freezes into a pallet load of stone. Gotta break it apart with a hammer. Seems I always get the pile that's already been gone through and whats left is junk. Ive had to cut the middle 4 feet out of an 8 footer more than once for a clear piece. Now I try to get the PT stuff at the local lumber yard. Its long leaf yellow pine (southern pine, older growth; NO GMO's !!!) Still gotta love the HOMO... they do have that RED sandpaper and Norton abrasive stuff... retards throws a handful of sand on some flypaper and it "rubs" the work LOL... ws
Well we decided to strip and refinish the wood that is currently on the benches, not sure what type it is but it probably came from China. This has to be a low dollar project because its a small part of my sons Eagle Scout project at our church and funds for the entire project are slim. He has already spent $200 on stepping stones, base and sand to install around their flag pole garden. Putting extra labor into the benches is free so that is the way we decided to go. The Church would like to keep the benches because they were donated by some of the members but they have been in storage due to their current state of disrepair. Thanks for all of the replies and you definitely steered me away from the pressure treated wood option.
I hafta ad that you should make your re-usable determination after a hearty pressure wash. OJ, (my S-I-L) washed the front deck today. Stain tomorrow. I use cheapo opaque stain and get 4-5 years out of it. Too bad the cheap stuff is now $29.99 a gallon. The wash blew 90% of the old stuff off and will look great when re-done. It was 10 years old in 2010 when we moved in and should last another 20. Its HD pressure treated stuff. Platic (Trex etc) is good too, but may not last due to UV attacking it...Clear (no knots) at 20 footers are a premium price, so you take what they give you. All that red debris is now all over the front yard LOL... ws
