Have a few soft spots in a pine drip cap above an exterior window. Its original (1920) and would be tough to replace. Anyone have luck with those “Wood Stabilizers” or “Wood Hardeners”?
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I've used a few, Minwax and Elmers I think. I decided to stick with Abatron. Pricey, but real good stuff.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
Good products but the wood has to stay protected with paint after the fact or the surface fix will simply fall off as water behind it gives way.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Lest I bring down the wrath of another remodeler, actually, the abatron liquid consolidant soaks into the fibers, and doesn't "fall off".Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
I'm not suggesting they aren't solid, but left unprotected the fibers below the fibers that are soaked into are already half shot and blaw blaw blaw. I agree they are great products. :)
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Yeah, I got ya..LOL
Hey, I tried some of that fiberglas resin on a recent repair, awesome stuff, and cheaper and faster curing.
THAT tho' still needs paint for UV protection. Or Varnish.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Not according to Huck.
According to can I have, it says it SHOULD be, maybe not REQUIRED.
Everything I used it on thus far has been painted anyway.I do know West sys. epoxy is not UV stabil and must be coated.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I said something to Huck about my reservations about leaving fiberglass resin uncoated, he said he does it all the time.
Some brands may have UV inhibs included. I don't know what he uses. I'm not in the shop to look at mine, but I got it at O'rielly's auto.Edit for sloppy typo.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
Edited 12/1/2009 5:00 pm ET by Sphere
He uses the lowes stuff made by Elmers.
When the punk goes deeper, you have to drill holes to inject it.
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i'm not sure what you mean there. Properly done, the wood stabilizers are IN the wood, not ON it. Does still need to be repainted to protect from further water intrusion and damage from UV, but when the wood is dryed right, and penetrated with good product, it is well hardened up and does not flake off.
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The best solution, if it is possible, is to incorporate a metal flashing over the drip cap. I have done that on a number of windows on my house (same vintage), with good results. But, it usually requires removing a couple of rows of siding (shingles in my case) which can be a pain. Claps would be easier, especially if they are face nailed, ie nails showing.
Another vote for the Abatron product. Appropriately thinned with some lacquer thinner, it penetrates very well and hardens up some punky wood. You do need to be able to get it good and dry before application. You may need to make some sort of temporary cover if you are in one of those nasty rain every day cycles.
The Minwax Wood Hardener is cheaper and available at most of the big boxes, but it seams to be mostly solvent and when it evaporates, the wood is not nearly as hard or strong as with the Abatron epoxy product.
The Elmer's product that I got as a water based product. I think that is what initially attracted me. The idea that I could do the job and be more environmentally friendly. I guess I am an optimist that always hopes that too good to be true product really will be the miracle that I am looking for. It wasn't. It looked, smelled, etc. like Elmer's white glue at twice the price. It didn't penetrate. It might work like a primer but it certainly wasn't able to soak in and reinforce a punky piece of wood.
Elmers...UGH. That was the first thing I said, watered down white glue.
Abatron sells their own thinner and you can mix the wood epox putty WITH the liquid, and the thinner works for all.My only complaint is the slow set time on the liquid and you must be precise in mixing equal parts. Unlike bondo or FG resin or other epoxies even.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
WEST SYSTEM epoxy.
Dig out the soft stuff.. mix with pine saw dust to thicken... should work fine. Heats as it cures so it draws into the fiber of the wood.
About $70/gallon in most areas
L
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