Painting the coop

[CKfarm22]

We found 2 buckets of light tan exterior paint in the oops paint section so I got it originally to paint a picnic bench and whatever miscellaneous projects. I want to paint the outside of the coop but my husband says to leave it plain wood cause the paint will trap heat in. Is this really an issue of paint causing more heat? Im concerned that between the rain and heat here (southern AZ) the boards will warp very quickly and I'd like to preserve it as long as possible. Another question I have is about painting the roosting bars, they are 2×4's and I sanded them to prevent splinters, again my husband says no paint in the coop cause they'll scratch it off and eat it. I like the idea of painting them as with the picnic bench, anything and everything wipes off really easily and since its waterproof, soaking it hasn't caused any warping and I figured it would be great to be able to wipe down the roosting bars as needed if they happen to poop on them. Is he overreacting or am I trying to do too much?

I wanted to paint my chicken coop but my boyfriend said he had a better idea. Although you might not have it, we ended up using used motor oil. I’m sure if you go to a automotive shop they might give you some. It gave our coop a stained wood look and honestly brought the whole thing together. I agree with everyone else using paint on the coop is good but not on the perches!

 

[3KillerBs]

I wanted to paint my chicken coop but my boyfriend said he had a better idea. Although you might not have it, we ended up using used motor oil. I’m sure if you go to a automotive shop they might give you some. It gave our coop a stained wood look and honestly brought the whole thing together. I agree with everyone else using paint on the coop is good but not on the perches!

I know that this is a traditional means of preserving wood, but it should be noted that this practice is probably illegal in some areas.

 

[Hopeful homesteader]

I wanted to paint my chicken coop but my boyfriend said he had a better idea. Although you might not have it, we ended up using used motor oil. I’m sure if you go to a automotive shop they might give you some. It gave our coop a stained wood look and honestly brought the whole thing together. I agree with everyone else using paint on the coop is good but not on the perches!

My husband says that's similar to the power poles being soaked in creosote to preserve the wood and keep bugs out. The only down side is if you happen it get a splinter they get green pus trying flush out the oils so you need to take extra care to keep it clean cause they can fester very quickly.

I know that this is a traditional means of preserving wood, but it should be noted that this practice is probably illegal in some areas.

Idk about it being illegal, your not technically dumping it on the ground or the whole jug in the trash and that's the only specification in disposing used oil. I suppose it's a gray area.

 

[CKfarm22]

I know that this is a traditional means of preserving wood, but it should be noted that this practice is probably illegal in some areas.

Illegal in what way?

 

[Hopeful homesteader]

Illegal in what way?

Used motor oil is considered a hazardous waste as well as flammable and if you're caught dumping it in your yard or in the trash you'll get huge fines. You can look up how to dispose of used oil wherever you live for laws about it. The laws don't specifically address recycling it in this manner which is why I called it a gray area. My brother in law works for waste management and has told us of stories where stuff like motor oil are thrown in the trash and then anything else in the dump truck being crushed starts a fire and the oil makes it impossible to put it out and the whole truck burns down or it can get ignited at the landfill which is worse. Dumping it poisons the ground where it can leach out poisoning water tables and in turn running into lakes and rivers where it kills aquatic animals. At most it would be something like improper handling of a hazardous material and get a fine, never heard of anyone going to jail for motor oil.

 

[Hopeful homesteader]

I finally got the roof painted yesterday, the way the paint dried over the tar paper it looks warped and I'm not too thrilled about that but it works for now until I figure something else out. Can tell it's already 10° cooler in there which is great. If it holds up long-term I'll just keep it and redo it as necessary, just wish it had stayed flat is my only complaint for now. I made sure to paint a thick layer under the seams where the paper overlaps and on top to prevent water running under it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Illegal in what way?

Hazardous waste disposal and/or environmental protection laws.

My dad used to dispose of his used motor oil by dumping it into ditches and burning it to kill weeds where they couldn't be mowed.

When I was a teen the town made that sort of thing illegal because it could contaminate the watershed.

 

[CKfarm22]

Hazardous waste disposal and/or environmental protection laws.

My dad used to dispose of his used motor oil by dumping it into ditches and burning it to kill weeds where they couldn't be mowed.

When I was a teen the town made that sort of thing illegal because it could contaminate the watershed.

Yeah that’s dumping it into land. My husband puts it in a sealed 5 gallon bucket and we used only a little to get it looking stained. We don’t dump it and if we did, we would go somewhere that takes used oil.

 

[CKfarm22]

Used motor oil is considered a hazardous waste as well as flammable and if you're caught dumping it in your yard or in the trash you'll get huge fines. You can look up how to dispose of used oil wherever you live for laws about it. The laws don't specifically address recycling it in this manner which is why I called it a gray area. My brother in law works for waste management and has told us of stories where stuff like motor oil are thrown in the trash and then anything else in the dump truck being crushed starts a fire and the oil makes it impossible to put it out and the whole truck burns down or it can get ignited at the landfill which is worse. Dumping it poisons the ground where it can leach out poisoning water tables and in turn running into lakes and rivers where it kills aquatic animals. At most it would be something like improper handling of a hazardous material and get a fine, never heard of anyone going to jail for motor oil.

Me either, i only used it to stain the wood which worked fine. My husband keeps it in a 5 gallon bucket and if we needed to dispose of it, there’s a place locally that takes used oil. I promise i’m not just dumping it in the soil at my house

 

[CKfarm22]

Used motor oil is considered a hazardous waste as well as flammable and if you're caught dumping it in your yard or in the trash you'll get huge fines. You can look up how to dispose of used oil wherever you live for laws about it. The laws don't specifically address recycling it in this manner which is why I called it a gray area. My brother in law works for waste management and has told us of stories where stuff like motor oil are thrown in the trash and then anything else in the dump truck being crushed starts a fire and the oil makes it impossible to put it out and the whole truck burns down or it can get ignited at the landfill which is worse. Dumping it poisons the ground where it can leach out poisoning water tables and in turn running into lakes and rivers where it kills aquatic animals. At most it would be something like improper handling of a hazardous material and get a fine, never heard of anyone going to jail for motor oil.

And it’s only hazardous if it’s mixed with a hazardous material. Used motor oil by itself is not hazardous