protecting wood structural pillars

[Dliy1]

I've got some timber structural pillars that I want to try and protect from the elements.

I'm not sure if they've been treated in the past.

Any product recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Nailbag]

Hi @Dliy1 

I have exactly the same Cyprus posts in my alfresco area. I use the same natural finish water-based oil as my deck. I would recommend either the Intergrain or Feast and Watson brands for longer lasting protection. 2-coats will do it.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Evening @Dliy1 

I concur with @Nailbag , I was going to suggest an oil product. I like Cabbots oils but they do have a strong scent for about a week. They look great after you have refreshed it yearly.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @Dliy1,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

It's great to see our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 have already jumped in with some advice.

2 to 3 coats of any clear, UV-resistant oil, such as those Dave and Wayne (Nailbag) have mentioned, will offer a good amount of protection while enhancing and beautifying the natural look of the timber.

Check out Feast Watson Wood Shield, Intergrain Exterior Nature's Timber Oil and Cabot's Natural Decking Oil. They are all good options for your project.

Prep work before oiling is hugely important. Depending on the current state of the pillars, it is likely worth sanding them but at a minimum, you should give them a good clean with Cabot's Deck Clean and a scrub brush before oiling.

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

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Dliy1 

Just to give you an idea of how oil enhances the timber over the years

I have just gone through doing some annual oiling (yeah id say kinda annual... maybe longer lol) and how it really brings life back to something.

Annual timber and decking maintenance 

Dave

[Dliy1]

Thanks @Nailbag , @Dave-1  and @JacobZ .

Will be heading up to my local Bunnings this week to get the job rolling. Thanks for your advice and @Dave-1 the refresh clearly makes a difference!

Thanks again

[Nailbag]

Great stuff @Dliy1 I forgot to mention that I did prep my posts with deck clean as @JacobZ had recommended, which I just use a stiff deck cleaning brush on. Essentially I treat the posts as if they were decking boards.

These are my posts done last Nov. 

Nailbag.