Hello,
I’ve built a large pergola using 6×6, 4×6, and 4×4 Pressure Treated lumber.
I have never liked the look of PT, or the splintering factor of it, but the size and lengths, 16’, restricted my wallet from using redwood.
I was originally going to paint it, but my wife likes the bare wood look.
I thought this morning about sandblasting it, but have questions about doing that to PT, and the compounds I’d be removing, so thought I’d ask a forum.
Thanks for any helpful responses.
Replies
This sounds like WAY too much work for what would amount to negative gain. Like the look or not, pressure treated wood does what it is supposed to do (last longer in the elements). Sandblasting all that wood off would be 1. tedious, and 2. a waste of money. You could have just bought untreated wood for less.
Furthermore, you can stain it once you've let it do its thing long enough (6 months - a year or so). Use an oil based stain (or whatever is suggested for the type of PT wood you used) and bob's your uncle.
I strongly advise against this. While I'm no expert on industrial safety, turning all of that treated wood into a fine, airborne dust is probably the second most dangerous way of handling those preservatives (the first most dangerous way of handling being drinking straight from the bottle).
I don't know what chemicals are used to treat your wood, but everyone I've heard of is usually some type of metal compound and they are somewhat toxic. But sandblasting is sure to create lots of really tiny particles that are easily inhaled.
Thanks.
Yes, the chemical makeup was what I was concerned about. I asked Steve Thomas and he said the same. I’m leaving it sit for a while as I work on other stuff.
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