Sealing reclaimed barnwood - lead paint

by Rohan H
(Chicago)

Hi Barn Geek,

I have a piece of barnwood that i want to use to make a mantel. One side has the nice weathered gray patina. The other side is a mix of gray and slight reddish color.

I am assuming the red color is old lead-based paint.

Two questions:

1. What's the best method to finish reclaimed wood, or should I keep it natural?
2. Will an oil or poly seal in the lead-based paint?

Thanks
Rohan

Comments for Sealing reclaimed barnwood - lead paint

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 12, 2014

Lead Paint
by: BarnGeek

Hi Rohan,

Great Question!

My first advice is to test the paint, if you are worried about lead. In my experience the red barn paint is rarely lead based. So don't just assume that it is, or that it isn't for that matter.

Test kits are fairly inexpensive and sometimes free. It is worth while to test the paint to be sure.

The best finish for reclaimed wood that you want to keep the grey patina is no finish. Everything else will turn it dark brown. Except for Valhalla, which is intended to turn the wood grey anyway.

One big reason for finishing wood is to keep it from discoloring or turning grey.

If this is for outside use and you want to preserve the wood, you should use the Valhalla wood preservative because it won't remove the grey... although it might make the wood a different shade, so it would be best to test a small piece first before you apply it to your project.

As for your second question... I don't think oil or poly will seal in the lead paint, if in fact it is lead paint. Two part epoxy probably would, but it will discolor your wood.

Thanks!
BarnGeek

Sep 26, 2015

use this information for my essays NEW
by: Anonymous

I recently came online assignment help across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.I’ll use this information for my essays.

Oct 19, 2015

Pretty good post! NEW
by: Anonymous

Pretty good post! I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I look at my profile have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.

Oct 20, 2015

2341 NEW
by: Anonymous

Lead paint is very toxic!custom essay services online

Jan 25, 2016

Loved to read your blog NEW
by: Juliet A. Jackson

Loved to read your blog. I would like to suggest you that traffic show most people read blogs on Mondays. So it should encourage blogger to write new write ups over the weekend primarily
Although this chat is relatively old, it was interesting to read ...
https://nanohub.org/members/135345/profile
http://www.goldderby.com/users/profile/396774
http://eve6.com/users/VzRGE5d0
http://www.englishbaby.com/findfriends/gallery/detail/2055726
http://patgreen.com/users/GCMNHLK1
http://www.xacobeo.es/en/perfil/higernorman765
http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/members/heldermarcus.html#vmessage9113
http://forum.joga-joga.pl/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=242383
http://janesaddiction.com/users/HYmGNHAq
http://www.myoats.com/users/Trankerzippo
http://pregame.com/members/fredbelow/userbio/default.aspx

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Barn Geek.

***Please note: Our full barn kits are only available within a limited shipping area. We are sorry if you are out of that shipping area, we are working on solutions for you that would include, hardware packages, templates for cutting your own timbers, lists of local timber suppliers, lists of local contractors, etc. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on the progress of these resources.