Painting rafters

[wantacoe]

I have come to the conclusion that there is no way I am going to get my roof fixed this year. It has been exposed to the elements for at least 2 years now. I bought the property 2 yrs ago. Is there any kind of sealer I can put on the rafters to keep them from rotting? Would a stain be better than paint? Thompsons waterseal a good idea? Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[mike93lx]

Thompsons is garbage.

If they are still in good shape, an outdoor paint will certainly help protect them, but i would put some new panels up befor going through all that effort.

 

[metlmunchr]

My dad was a mechanical contractor for 45 years. Back before fiberglass ladders became popular, we always treated our wood ladders with boiled linseed oil as a preservative since the ladders spent a lot of their life on ladder racks on trucks. Put on a couple coats before first use, and repeat every couple years.

At any point in time, we'd have 40-50 ladders, and I never saw one replaced due to rot. My own experience with "modern" wood preservatives is that none of them are as effective as linseed oil. Cost is around $100 for a 5 gallon pail, or less than half the cost of most of the latest whiz-bang preservatives.

 

[KenC]

This stuff:
https://www.flood.com/products/wood-stain/clear-wood-finish/cwf-oil
I've used it, it works.
Friend of mine built a home 25-30 years ago with all cedar exterior. It gets pressure washed and recoated every 3-4 years. Looks like new.

 

[wantacoe]

Thanks guys, I have ordered a sprayer, should make this job easier and faster. Not sure which product I am going to use yet.

 

[GMCGarage]

I have come to the conclusion that there is no way I am going to get my roof fixed this year. It has been exposed to the elements for at least 2 years now. I bought the property 2 yrs ago. Is there any kind of sealer I can put on the rafters to keep them from rotting? Would a stain be better than paint? Thompsons waterseal a good idea? Thanks for any thoughts.

Why cant you get it fixed? Too expensive? Build a wall and tear down that end.

 

[wantacoe]

Why cant you get it fixed? Too expensive? Build a wall and tear down that end.

Old age slowed me down! I am working on the house and another building and this one is the last to get fixed. That plus that roofing is made of unobtanium.