Painting over creosote

[Bryan Williams]

I creasoted my new shed last year and it's fading already and I'm not convinced that it is that waterproof, I did get a product that said it was proper creosote..
I wish I had undercoated and glossed it now so am hoping it is still possible over the creasoted finish.
It just looks a mid brown matt finish at the moment. Rain does seem to bead on it but it doesn't have the old oily finish you used to get and there is no creosote smell to it.
Should i slap some paint on?

 

[gaz1]

proper cresote dosnt have a mid brown colour to it

its a dark colour to it

 

[Burdekin]

I get the real deal from here online if you fancy keeping the Creosote. https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/?mc_cid=384726a92b&mc_eid=dfbeeacbb4

 

[brightspark]

I been getting it for 25 quid for 5 gallons real cheap and the real deal

 

[brightspark]

bedec barn paint supposed to cover over creosote . here https://www.promain.co.uk/manufacturers/bedec/bedec-barn-paint.html it covers anything any surface

 

[wristpin]

bedec barn paint supposed to cover over creosote . here https://www.promain.co.uk/manufacturers/bedec/bedec-barn-paint.html it covers anything any surface

Maybe, but I’d be inclined to say that the only thing that covers REAL creosote is more REAL creosote!

 

[merryman]

proper cresote dosnt have a mid brown colour to it

its a dark colour to it

There always were two colours, "golden creosote" and "dark creosote" I used golden, which was mid brown, but now you can't get creosote through "normal" channels, I had to buy dark. You can add a percentage of old engine oil to get that "waterproof" effect. However, creosote does need re-doing every few years, Black bitumastic paint is a close relative of creosote, it smells the same, so might cover it. I would do a test patch first though.

 

[steveo3002]

crack on with more real creosote not garden center stuff ,bit of old engine oil in with it is optional...best on a nice dry summers day though

 

[steveo3002]

think it does take a few coats to start looking good , id done a repair which has only got one coat and looks a bit dry , will get some more on it and a coat of engine oil

 

[Turbo]

If you apply oil based paint on top of proper creosote the paint will take months to dry - I learned that the hard way when I tried painting a bird table that had been creosoted!

Any agri supplies place will likely keep the proper creosote, though it's not cheap! I mix it 50/50 with used diesel engine oil & brush it on.

 

[8ob]

I would have thought bitumastic paint would cover creosote https://www.toolstation.com/black-b...MIkumJ6caS4AIVyZPtCh2XmA81EAQYASABEgKWbvD_BwE

Bob

 

[Cobbler]

I seem to recall from the dim & distant past there is an aluminium primer for covering creosoted wood. Ordinary paint straight onto the creosote will gradually be burnt off form underneath.

 

[Bryan Williams]

I would have thought bitumastic paint would cover creosote https://www.toolstation.com/black-b...MIkumJ6caS4AIVyZPtCh2XmA81EAQYASABEgKWbvD_BwE

Bob

This is good stuff actually used it to touch up old steel railing and gates on water board jobs already painted with bitumen.
I noticed that some of the gates hadn't been painted apart from the original bitumen and were very old not welded, the square section bars just pushed through the holes while hot I suppose anyway apart from the odd chip the bitumen paint had stood up really well,on these ancient looking gates.

 

[Deltic]

A vote for bedec barn paint. That stuff will cover anything. Although i haven't tried it on creosote.

 

[brightspark]

my brother used it on his wooden shed that was painted with creosote no probs .it was quite weathered mind

 

[RWD3M]

Hi Bryan,

I've been using creosote on my outbuildings for 30+ years and whilst it does fade over time I really only notice it on the walls that get the sun on them all the time. And even then, the fading is minimal as I tend to re-treat every 2 or 3 years.

What I would say is that you do need to load it on, especially to featheredge as that will really soak it up (which is a good thing!).

As for colour, I think two colours are available dark brown, and really dark brown! I always go for the darkest available but even then I do see inconsistencies in shade.

I use the same supplier as Burdekin (above) and have had no problems with them.

One last thing, as much as I like the smell of creosote, after a week or so the novelty does wear off. Wear overalls and a decent pair of flock lined marigolds when you tackle it next!

I would persevere bearing in mind there was a good reason for the minimum quantity rule! (Coal Tar Creosote is actually quite harmful)

Good luck with whatever route you take.

Richard.