Treating Fence Posts With Oil

Untreated wooden fence posts are susceptible to water damage.

Treating fence posts with oil.

In short i would definitely say that treating fence posts with motor oil is rather dangerous. The story of an old time texas homesteader who makes his own treated fence posts from cleared wood and used motor oil. As for cancerous effects on animals one pah in particular has proven to be a leading culprit. Allow fence posts to cure for 12 months before treating.

This helps to prevent fence panels from drying out cracking splitting and warping. Fill in the hole around the fence post with more 1 4 minus gravel packed tight against the sides of the post. This allows for increased preservative penetration. Using a fence oil is a great way to protect and preserve fence panels and posts from the elements and weathering.

This seems like it could greatly reduce the expence of some post replacements and fencing projects i ve been putting off but i am worries about weather the oil would do any damage to the water table or. They are also used in smokers farmers use in fields. This particular hydrocarbon can be found in significant amounts in that motor oil that is used to treat posts. Diy treating a fence post the old way.

By bob and sue buckner september october 1974. Wood oils not only keep garden fences looking better for longer they also nourish and feed the wood to keep it supple and water resistant. But i ve known some old timers who would make fence posts outa the type of small round wood you get when someone clears land by soaking them in a barrel of used motor oil for a month or two. Motor oil is used as a wood preservative for fence posts.

No treating fence posts with oil. Set the post in the hole while holding a level on the side to check for plumb. This process is called seasoning and it allows the wood to dry out so that splits and checks open in the wood. As much as 22 ppm.

Posted 8 years ago. Water damage makes the wood vulnerable to termites.