Staining/sealing run

[Purlsnponies]

I've built my run out of pressure treated wood, and it should be dry enough to stain soon. I was planning on using Behr's solid deck stain, which I've been using on the coop.

Will the corrosive cleaner that I'm supposed to use first damage my hardware cloth? I won't apply the cleaner directly to the hardware cloth, and know to rinse well. But I'm worried about the runoff and really don't want to lessen the integrity of the HWC.

Or is there a better stain/sealer for the wood?

What do you do? Any thoughts, experiences, or words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

Pic of run in progress...

 

[DobieLover]

I've built my run out of pressure treated wood, and it should be dry enough to stain soon. I was planning on using Behr's solid deck stain, which I've been using on the coop.

Will the corrosive cleaner that I'm supposed to use first damage my hardware cloth? I won't apply the cleaner directly to the hardware cloth, and know to rinse well. But I'm worried about the runoff and really don't want to lessen the integrity of the HWC.

Or is there a better stain/sealer for the wood?

What do you do? Any thoughts, experiences, or words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

Pic of run in progress...
View attachment 2364448

I didn't stain or seal mine. It's not a horizontal surface that is going to pool water.

 

[Purlsnponies]

I didn't stain or seal mine. It's not a horizontal surface that is going to pool water.

Thanks! I'm hoping for some extra protection, since it's in the shade and we have months where nothing dries. Everything seems to rot here.

I guess I just can't figure out the order of it. How do people stain or paint their runs?

 

[aart]

I guess I just can't figure out the order of it. How do people stain or paint their runs?

Many paint or stain the lumber before building, of before adding mesh.
But PT can take months to truly dry out....depends on how fresh it was when you got it.
Is the stuff touching the ground 'ground rated' PT?

Everything seems to rot here.

Where is "here"?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Purlsnponies]

Many paint or stain the lumber before building, of before adding mesh.
But PT can take months to truly dry out....depends on how fresh it was when you got it.
Is the stuff touching the ground 'ground rated' PT?

Thanks for your thoughts! I'd considered staining before building, but really didn't want to build with warped wood. I don't have a place appropriate for drying without warping. (Had just finished a deck that took longer than expected, and had to deal with warped wood.) It is all ground contact PT, yep. All coated fasteners. Most of the wood is from my local rural hardware store, so it was already more dry than the stuff from Big Box places (turnaround isn't nearly as high).

The mesh is sandwiched between 2x4s - that seemed the most sturdy way to do it. Unfortunately, that means I couldn't stain before attaching mesh.

Do you think I should leave it unsealed/stained/painted? I'd rather do that than compromise the hardware cloth...

Where is "here"?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

Thanks for that! I was clicking on my avatar in the posts to try to edit info, which was incorrect. I'm in north FL.

 

[aart]

Do you think I should leave it unsealed/stained/painted?

I would....but I hate to paint.

I'd rather do that than compromise the hardware cloth...

Definitely.

 

[K0k0shka]

Why do you need to use a corrosive cleaner? I stained mine with Behr waterproofing stain, and it didn't say it needed anything corrosive or any cleaners applied beforehand. The wood sat in my garage for a while until I got around to building, so it wasn't as wet as it usually comes straight from the store. Was it dry enough? I don't know. I've heard people recommend this particular stain when you don't want to wait for the wood to be completely dry. My run hasn't been through a winter yet, but it's been through a rainy season and scorching heat, and is holding up just fine. I stained it wafter it was built. You can see pictures and details in my coop page.

 

[Purlsnponies]

Why do you need to use a corrosive cleaner? I stained mine with Behr waterproofing stain, and it didn't say it needed anything corrosive or any cleaners applied beforehand. The wood sat in my garage for a while until I got around to building, so it wasn't as wet as it usually comes straight from the store. Was it dry enough? I don't know. I've heard people recommend this particular stain when you don't want to wait for the wood to be completely dry. My run hasn't been through a winter yet, but it's been through a rainy season and scorching heat, and is holding up just fine. I stained it wafter it was built. You can see pictures and details in my coop page.

Your coop is gorgeous! What a fantastic job. Lucky hens!

I think that's the same stain I have.. the directions do say to use "Cleaner no. 63" before staining new wood, to remove mill glaze. Maybe I should just try to stain it anyway, if it worked out for you. Already purchased 2 gallons of it, haha! Thanks for your input!!

 

[K0k0shka]

Your coop is gorgeous! What a fantastic job. Lucky hens!

I think that's the same stain I have.. the directions do say to use "Cleaner no. 63" before staining new wood, to remove mill glaze. Maybe I should just try to stain it anyway, if it worked out for you. Already purchased 2 gallons of it, haha! Thanks for your input!!

Thanks!

Hmm, I guess it does say to clean it. Oh well. It's been 5 months since I stained mine and it looks just fine, so maybe cleaning it is not crucial?

 

[Purlsnponies]

Thanks!

Hmm, I guess it does say to clean it. Oh well. It's been 5 months since I stained mine and it looks just fine, so maybe cleaning it is not crucial?

Sounds like it's working out just fine for you!

I've done a bit of reading, and sanding with 80 grit sandpaper might also do the trick.. so I'm going to try that (with appropriate PPE, ugh PT!). Nothing to lose but a little more time!