The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: E-Tex on October 21, 2017, 07:12:17 PM

Title: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: E-Tex on October 21, 2017, 07:12:17 PM
when and how do you treat with Bora Care or Timbor? 

1. Do you apply fresh off the sawmill while you're stickering?
2. Do you apply with a pump sprayer and completely soak each board before stickering?
3. Are additional treatments needed?....ie: after air dried?  or necessary after kiln dried (or would this simply make the wood "wet" again?)

I plan to cut a large amount of slabs / mantles this winter out of ERC/Sycamore/Elm/Sweetgum/Oaks.  I know It will take 6-9-12+ months to air-dry (and "get ready" for a kiln once moisture levels are lower).  I want to make sure I can protect them as much as possible.

Any advice appreciated.  Thanks
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: E-Tex on October 21, 2017, 07:14:12 PM
ps.....I'm a new member.

Been a reader for 5-6 months, but now a new FF member.
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: Don P on October 21, 2017, 10:23:53 PM
There are a bunch of old threads on here about it.
It is best applied green right off the saw.
I actually think a heavy nap roller is faster and does a better job than a sprayer. A drop or two of dish soap helps break that dry bubble that likes to form and wets out the wood quicker. A simple dip tank helps conserve material and does a better job.
I've been treating wood as we saw it on the current job but am then planing it right before we nail it up, then we are spraying it one more time to get a good surface treatment. But generally no you wouldn't treat it again after that initial treatment.
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: E-Tex on October 22, 2017, 04:05:03 PM
makes sense to treat right off the sawmill and then sticker.  A big concern I have is after drying; taking the boards and edging, planning, sanding, etc..... and BREATHING the sawdust with this stuff in it.  I guess wear a respirator.
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: WDH on October 22, 2017, 07:53:55 PM
I have had no respiratory issues with it at all. 
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: scsmith42 on October 22, 2017, 08:45:49 PM
Welcome to the FF!

Bora-care is typically the best product for dry lumber, and TimBor is the better selection for green lumber.  I use a 15% Timbor Mixture (three scoops per gallon of warm water).

My preferred application method is to use a backpack Solo sprayer that I've modified to accept a pressure washer spray gun.  I place the pressure washer nozzle directly into the spray gun where the wand would go and it provides a very fast, consistent application of the fluid. 
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: YellowHammer on October 22, 2017, 10:27:07 PM
I spray as soon as the board comes off the log, using a diaphragm pump spray gun and 25 gallon tank.  Not all species gets sprayed.

This stuff is very safe to use.
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: Savannahdan on October 23, 2017, 07:44:39 AM
Do you reapply after the boards are planed/sanded? 
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: WDH on October 23, 2017, 07:46:29 AM
I do not because they are stored inside a building.  If you stored outside under a shed, you might have issues later on. 
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: PC-Urban-Sawyer on October 23, 2017, 08:41:32 AM
Don't think you'll need to treat the ERC since most bugs won't touch it...
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: Savannahdan on October 23, 2017, 01:18:55 PM
Thanks, WDH.  I'm working on plans for a reduced size solar kiln and will be reconstructing an outbuilding specifically for housing lumber that's been treated and kiln dried. 
Title: Re: Treating with Bora Care or TimBor or other
Post by: YellowHammer on October 23, 2017, 03:21:10 PM
Quote from: Savannahdan on October 23, 2017, 07:44:39 AM
Do you reapply after the boards are planed/sanded?
In order to reapply the product, th kiln dried and sanded wood would have to be rewetted pretty heavily.  That could be  era detrimental to the finished boards.  It also leaves a whitish residue that detracts from the appearance of finished wood.

By far the best approach is to store the wood inside somewhere to protect it.  We couldn't park in our garage for several years for all the wood stacked in it. ;D :D