Sealing the ends of logs?

[markkelly]

What is the best to seal the end of the logs with?  I have seen some waxes that have been used.  I seen paint does it matter if it is a latex, oil based, a basic prime. 

Thanks Much for any advice. 8) 8) 8)

[Nomad]

     Forget the paint.  AnchorSeal© all the way.  The original, not Anchorseal2.  Head and shoulders better than any paint you can come up with.  Paint is better than nothing, but most paint is not much better.

[learner]

Welcome to the forum markkelly.  A very good question.  I use anchor seal on my premium logs.  Those that will yield high quality boards.  Otherwise plain white water based latex paint will work.  You need to remember one thing though.  It only works well on logs that still have their bark and are kept off the ground and will be sawn fairly soon.  I use cheaper older logs for stacking my good logs on.  It keeps them off the wet ground and makes it easier to pick them up with the loader.  If the bark is removed then you need to keep the logs out of the direct sunlight.  It will cause the logs to crack down their entire length.  You may also need to water them down from time to time.  Logs are usually debarked JUST before sawing or kept in a water pond until sawn.  I had a man bring me some oak logs he end coated with white latex paint and had removed the bark from.  Sadly though he didn't protect them from the direct sunlight and 90% of them were full of splits.  He did his research but unfortunately didn't know about protecting them from the sunlight and weather before they were sawn.  You might also bear in mind that logs WILL decay faster with the bark on if NOT kept protected from wet weather and allowed good ventilation.  You will have problems with bugs, mold and mildew in your logs if they are exposed to wet environments.  Especially if they don't have good airflow!  On another note; you will need to clean and sticker stack the sawn boards if they won't be picked up soon after sawing.  Otherwise the dust in between the sawn boards will attract and retain moisture.  This is especially true during the warmer months of the year and it doesn't matter if it's a hard wood or soft wood.  They WILL mold and mildew.  Hope this helps.

[BCsaw]

I use an end grain sealer from Lee Valley for really good logs and timbers.

I use paint for general use. I found 2 coats works better. I just buy whatever is cheap.......miss tints, etc.

[learner]

good point BC, two coats are better than one.  the log just soaks up the first coat. that and being in Canada, two coats are really better than one.   ;D

[YellowHammer]

When it matters, I use Anchorseal.  If it doesn't matter I don't use anything ;D
We are sealing walnut logs here, a pretty expensive whack, and I wouldn't buck them to length without a bucket of the good stuff.
YH
 

[Southside]

YellowHammer, I see logs being sealed there, but even looking hard don't see the "we"... :D :D

[YellowHammer]

YellowHammer, I see logs being sealed there, but even looking hard don't see the "we"... :D :D

Somebody's got to do the hard work and hold the camera to take the picture.   ;D
Mrs Yellowhammer is so fast at sealing logs, it sometimes looks like she can be in three places at the same time!

[WDH]

It must be nice to have a Professional End Sealer  ;D. 

[terrifictimbersllc]

Looks like he's got one as long as he stays behind the camera

[Magicman]

 

 
The official FF end sealer.  8)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

He could paint the Mona Lisa. 

[terrifictimbersllc]

Even with the smile doubt he could get the anchor seal and brush past security. 

[customsawyer]

Danny you missed a spot over there. ;D

[YellowHammer]

Who's holding the camera on that picture?  I see a shadow but can't make it out, but whoever it is, we ought to team up and go into "management." :D
YH

[Magicman]

But I left management to go into sawing.   8)

[WDH]

I have sealed a few ends in my time.

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

I have sealed a few ends in my time.

Watch out, this is a family friendly site!



Herb