How to Seal a Treated-Wood Picnic Table
Treated lumber lasts for a long time, even when exposed to the elements. Unfortunately, older treated-lumber may contain chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a wood treatment that contains chromium, copper and arsenic. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not come to a conclusion as to the toxicity of CCA, it is often recommended to keep contact with it to a minimum. If you do not have the money to replace CCA-treated lumber, sealing it will protect you and your family. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Oxygen bleach cleaner
- Bucket
- Water
- Stiff scrub brush
- Sealer
- Sealer brush
Instructions
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1
Mix together an oxygenated cleaner in a bucket with some water, according to the package instructions.
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2
Rub the surface of the treated lumber with the oxygen cleaner using a stiff brush. Rinse each section with a hose as you go.
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3
Moisten the lumber again and apply a wood brightener to the table using the scrub brush. Rinse the wood brightener once it has penetrated the wood for the recommended amount of time.
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4
Paint the wood of the picnic table with a penetrating, water-repellent sealer. This sealer is available from most good hardware stores. Put the table in a waterproof area until the sealer has had time to dry.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
