Thread: Telliing the difference between 10 year old Treated and UnTreated pine?

Timber Treatment Information - Softwoods

Thanks but no help in identifying 10 year old pine 2x4s weather they are treated or not.

Cut a piece and if you get a pungent smell (other than pine smell) from what appears to be clear then its probably treated LOSP, if a greenish tinge then CCA

So pungent ( Not simple pine smell ) is LOSP.
Other is visable greenish tinge then CCA.

Brilliant!

Many thanks.

Oh you'll definitely know if it's LOSP treated. Smells a bit like turps and not at all pleasant.
You might also notice it bleeding slightly out of a freshly cut surface.

Over the years over 100 diferent chemicals/combinations have been approved for traetment of timbers - treatments may be against borers (insecticides) and rotting (fungicides) - and most are invisible. A very few are obvious - greenish CCA, smelly LOSP, and black & smelly & carcinagenic creosote.

It is probably safest to assume that your timber is untreated and to treat it yourself. Twenty years ago many shipwrights favoured Epidure, but I am not up to date on the subject.

It might be worth repeating the question on the boatbuilding forum.


Cheers

Graeme

Thanks to all.

The gorgeous daughter already has the project inside instead of out.
Will mention to her that it might not be treated.
And to keep it out of the rain if possible.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Thanks to all.

The gorgeous daughter already has the project inside instead of out.
Will mention to her that it might not be treated.
And to keep it out of the rain if possible.

Good solution, Barry.

But it might be treated. Safest option is to keep the surfaces well coated, just in case.


Cheers

Graeme