Fence Project- The Neigbors Think I’m Nuts

[IRQVET]

So being military and having the ability to travel, I’ve seen alot of different methods when it comes to all sorts of stuff. So after my fence was built, since I fenced in an entire acre, and the cost of wood stain/ preservative would have put me in the poor house, I decided to something different.

In accient Japan, the Japanese wood preserving method was called Shou Sugi Ban; where you essentually use fire to charand seal the wood. This was very common in accident temples and also on alot of wood handles on Samuri swords to strengthen them.

Then I learned an old farmers trick (not the greenest thing to do) where farmers would use their used motor oil to stain the fences around their pastures.

So I did both!

I bought a torch that attaches to my gas cylinder from the BBQ, and I when around and burnt the wood which brought out the wood grain. My neighbors watched me do this and think I’m totally nuts (and maybe they’re not wrong?) Burning the wood on a brand new fence.

Then I’ve been saving my used motor oil and top coated the fence and here is the final product. I also cut a peek hole in the privacy fence to keep my dog from jumping up to peer over the fence everytime the wind blows.

What do you think?

An entire acre worth of fence cost me about $80 bucks in propane.

 

[engineer2]

Very different. Dark fences are very uncommon. You might be starting a new trend. It'll be interesting to see how it looks in a few years.
When I was younger it was popular to torch a piece of pine and then wire brush it to bring out the grain.
I suspect the rain will wash out some of the motor oil which will help kill vegetation right under the fence.

 

[duneslider]

I think it looks good, curious how it will really hold up.

 

[Copymutt]

Just my experience, oil will soak up the soot and dust. Won’t look very good after a short time.

 

[mike93lx]

IMO, the burning gives an interesting look, but you totally lost me at covering it with used motor oil. It baffles me that people think this is a good idea

 

[Michael B.]

Very interested in the long term results. Be sure to keep us updated.

 

[six-point socket II]

I deeply believe that a man gotta do what a man gotta do. ... Your fence and property, your choice.

But since you asked, as far as I understand Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) the goal is to achieve a more or less even carbonization. So unless you brushed that fence after "burning" it, it currently looks more like being "roasted" - than having actually achieved the desired carbonization.

Coating with used motor oil, yes it's a "farmers trick" from the old days. Does it save you money? Obviously. Calling it not exactly green, well, you actually took some wood that at some point in future could have been used in different ways/ disposed of, and now created more or less toxic waste - that if disclosed - can't simply be disposed/recycled like an untreated fence could. And the worst outcome is if someone in future decides to get rid off it, and uses this as firewood or for a bonfire ...

Plus there are good, environmental friendly, products to treat a fence if one chooses too. So I really don't see why one would use motor oil.

Someone else said it already, chances are high parts of it get washed into the underlying soil with rain. ...

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[jbwilkins]

Since the pickets look to be pine, I'm guessing they were treated, to begin with.

 

[danfromsyr]

IMO, the burning gives an interesting look, but you totally lost me at covering it with used motor oil. It baffles me that people think this is a good idea

yeah X's2 on this one.
plus the fence boards don't usually rot it's the posts and cross boards that do 1st.
but a PT fence with proper fasteners would outlast your needs anyways.

fwiw I do like the Sosugibun look well enough.
just not on board with the motor oil bit.. used motor oil is carcinogen and wouldn't want it near my dog.

 

[Kaizen]

The woodworker in me hates sugi. Rather see wood being wood. Up off the ground and with air gaps like that fence has would have made it last a decade with nothing on it.

 

[danfromsyr]

now if you coated it with the used oil 1st..

and then applied the torch...

now we got something going on here.

 

[Jinks]

I agree with your neighbors, but it's your fence & property........

 

[pizza]

Good looking fence. I don't like the motor oil part for health and environmental concerns, but honestly it's a drop in the bucket compared to overall industry. So in practical terms, it's a non issue.

Unless kids touch up the fence and lick their fingers for a few years or something. Or you unexpectedly die soon and a family plants a garden right on it. Or someone "reclaims" the wood unknowingly and uses it in a way that somehow produces health problems. Or firewood. Who knows. Chances are it's no big deal though

 

[pizza]

Didn't people used to spray dirt roads down with motor oil? Lol

 

[danfromsyr]

people used to spray kids at the public pool with DDT too.

what 'people used to do' is often a reason it is 'used to' and not still how it's done.

 

[mike93lx]

Didn't people used to spray dirt roads down with motor oil? Lol

We also used asbestos in everything and women smoked while pregnant

 

[kelpaso1]

While I dont think used oil on that is very eco friendly, but is it really any different than the stain you buy at the store?

 

[FMB4]

Used motor oil = a fire hazard.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Better than chain link. The looks will tone down with time, not that it's that crazy right now.

 

[APEowner]

While I dont think used oil on that is very eco friendly, but is it really any different than the stain you buy at the store?

The problem with used motor oil is that it's carcinogenic. Unused oil is a problem bacause it can migrate into water supplies and make them oily, which is obviously bad. Used motor oil does that and causes cancer.

 

[Skiff Builder]

As far as the oil stain method, I will say I built over a 1000 custom sheds with rough sawn pine. The stain we made was 4.5 gal diesel , with anywhere from 1/2-1 cup of coal tar added, depending on what shade of brown you wanted. Easily applied with a pump sprayer.. An old time method that worked.
30 years later most still going strong....

New cedar sidewall shingles on this bldg were brushed with new 5W30 dino oil. I've seen no evidence of it running down onto the windows in the past 3 years

 

[sixty4]

I would plant trees in front of it if I was the neighbor.

 

[ace10]

Pressure treated pine?

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Reminds me of the hippie days of 'torched' cable reels for coffee tables.
I like it.

 

[Copymutt]

Face torching PT wood is a recipe for lung issues including cancer.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

people used to spray kids at the public pool with DDT too.

what 'people used to do' is often a reason it is 'used to' and not still how it's done.

DDT actually very harmful. Just not to humans!
.....
Rachel Carson's book (Silent Spring) was part of an effort that led to the outlawing of DDT use in much of the industrialized world. But she did not have science on her side. I'll be darned to admit that this is not the first time something like this happened.

 

[no704]

Only cause cancer in CA!

 

[XJSuperman]

Some of you guys act like motor oil will be the death of you. Get your hands dirty sometime and take a chill pill.
The fence looks fine. A bit dark for my taste, but if it matches the house, then job well done. How was the oil applied, brush, spray, or wiped? Im sure it soaked right in and will be fine for years. Seems like a better use than some of the other disposal options.

 

[DennisK]

Reminds me of the hippie days of 'torched' cable reels for coffee tables.
I like it.

And cast waxed sand candles

 

[mike93lx]

Some of you guys act like motor oil will be the death of you. Get your hands dirty sometime and take a chill pill.
The fence looks fine. A bit dark for my taste, but if it matches the house, then job well done. How was the oil applied, brush, spray, or wiped? Im sure it soaked right in and will be fine for years. Seems like a better use than some of the other disposal options.

You act like people have to cover themselves with carginogens to be a man.

Will exposure to some motor oil be like drinking arsenic? Nope.

Will it get onto the ground and eventually into drinking water? Yep

 

[Troy32323]

I think the fence looks really good. Not sure about the oil part but love the burnt look and the peek hole with a giant snout hanging out of it is hilarious.

 

[IRQVET]

So are far as the soot situation is concerned, when I did this before (on a much smaller scale) after a few rainy days the soot falls away and the wood lightens about 50% within 3 months +/-, where char falls away and its only the woodgrain that remains dark. But the addition of used motor oil diluted with a little diesel fuel penetrates the wood and gives it back a hair darker (deeper) look simular to the application of minerial spirits.

As far as it being flammable, actually, its less flammable now than it was before. The hydrocarbons in oil and diesel brake down within a few days (unlike gasoline) where the hydrocarbons can take a year or more to brake down given the environmental conditions. That is why the forestry department particians out their burn mixes the way they do, as the damage left behind by the hydrocarbons and the environmental impact is minimal and very short lived. As is the possibility for re-ignition.

As far as ground contaimination, guilty as charged. But I don’t have any editable planted near the fence line, and I’m not on a well water so its not a huge concern to me. My property is bordered on all sides by several hundred feet of woods before you hit a neighboring property, so contaminating my neighbors soil on the other side of the fense isn’t occurring.

And yes, I brush on the oil with a roller. For the inbetween areas I use a backpack sprayer.

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't like the look of burned wood, but that's me, and I'm not living there nor did I pay for any of it.
If my neighbour built a fence like that, I'd be a bit upset , and would not agree to the style if I was asked to contribute.

 

[BillK]

I also think it looks very nice. A lot better than the bright white plastic stuff a lot of people are putting up. Your blends in with the trees etc and looks fine.

No comment on the oil

 

[danfromsyr]

Ohh you should see my 'fences'
i've no business throwing wrenches in glass houses.

 

[kingchevy]

I think the motor oil is a bad idea since there are no driers in it. I don't think you will have good results painting over it if you ever decide to.

 

[crazylunker]

I also think it looks very nice. A lot better than the bright white plastic stuff a lot of people are putting up. Your blends in with the trees etc and looks fine.

No comment on the oil

Amen on the plastic fences. Every time I see a house with a plastic fence I wonder if they bought their house from Walmart.

 

[Just Primer]

That look is very nice, cool and rich. When done in moderation. . It's been years since I have offended someone on the net. So sorry for this. In my opinion you went to long on the burn. It looks like a forest fire sweep though your property. But you no, who cares about my opinion.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Unless kids touch up the fence and lick their fingers for a few years or something."

Looks pretty good to me.
As far as the carcinogen danger, unless your feeding your kids 8 foot sections or more of the fence in a week, I would not worry about it.

 

[smackey05]

Very unique looking and I like it!