How to maintain balustrade?

[Elljames]

I have some loose spindles and am hoping to seal them up to avoid wood rot. Any tips?

My plan is to treat with no rot gel, secure with an adhesive (I don’t have a staple or nail gun), lightly sand, sikaflex, prime, paint. Anything I should consider or products to avoid.

  

[JacobZ]

Hi @Elljames,

Thank you for your question.

It may be just the perspective in the photos, but I don't think there is any rot here.

My suggestion is to lightly sand the timber to remove any loose material or dirt, then simply paint over it with an external paint. There is no need for an anti-rot treatment or priming as external paints are self-priming.

Unfortunately, an adhesive is not going to be adequate. You will have to use a mechanical fixing such as these Paslode 30 x 2.0mm 100g Galvanised Bullet Head Nails. 

You can drive these nails in using a hammer and then use a Nail Punch to drive the head below the surface of the timber. Once the nails are driven below the surface, you can cover them with Selleys White No More Gaps Exterior Gap Filler, which can also be used to seal the bottom edge of the timber.

Once the gap filler is dry, paint over it with external paint.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Elljames]

Thanks Jacob 👍

That all sounds good.

These hammer and nail punch sounds a little fiddly. I have access to this nail gun; https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-li-ion-cordless-nail-gun-skin-only_p6210600?store=8087&gSt...

Would it be a suitable alternative? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Elljames,

Yes, that nail gun will work fine. 

Just make sure you use galvanised nails and it is set so they are driven below the surface of the timber so they can be covered.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob