Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions finishing exterior timbers

In no way "organic" but I like Sikkens SRD (Siding/Rail/Deck) oil stain. I use the "teak" color for an aged look.

Many products today are water-based, and the old fashioned oil base types are hard to find. But most people will say oil is superior, being a penetrating finish rather than a surface film. Sikkens SRD is a high quality product with traditional attributes.

For shipping to "low VOC" states Sikkens is formulated with less thinner, and penetrates less well, but restoring some mineral spirits helps fix that.

P.S. Don't leave any oily rags around the shop! On a hot day Sikkens or linseed oil will light them up in less than an hour.

I would let them dry if they're inside. Otherwise when the timbers are stacked you can use paint thinner or a mineral spirits to surface dry the wood and allow the paint to setup properly. OF course with any sap wood it will need to go somewhere.

Ideally most woods dry 1ft per year sadly