End sealer

[Mesquite cutter]

What type of sealer would y'all recommend for sealing the ends of the logs?  I have used paint but I was thinking of  something more practical.   It would be mostly Mesquite, Texas Ebony, Oak and Pecan.  

[doc henderson]

anything is better than nothing.  anchorseal is very good, but more expensive than free left over house paint.  I have used both.  I am a hobby guy so the cost saving of the wood vs cost of product and application does not really matter to me.  I got my first 5 gallons from the company.  my second 5 gallons from a hardwood store that buys it in 55 gallon barrels and will sell it in smaller quantities.  this shipping on a 5 gallon amount from uc coatings is not free.  you can have it colored from the manufacturer.  the original vs the anchorseal 2 has to do with plant additives to make the # 2 cheaper.  any of them work best if applied soon after cutting.  If I have a friend who has a log for me, I have them put on paint if they are a ways away.  several coats is better than one.

[doc henderson]

you can get it on amazon  for 125 dollars for 5 gallons and free shipping for anchorseal 2.  you can buy direct from uc coatings and have color added as well as antifreeze for additional cost.  I bought 5 gallons of the anchorseal 2 for 70 bucks, but had to take my container to the store and have it pumped in.  The blue colored is the original formula with antifreeze and color.  I have had it for over a year and still have some left.  I use an airless sprayer.  it can be rolled on.  you want a thick layer, and I tended to get as much on the ground as the log.   :D

[firefighter ontheside]

I've bought anchorseal by the gallon from amazon and at Woodcraft.  About same price.  I definitely think its better than paint, but as Doc said, paint is better than nothing.  I've even used some water based poly that I had laying around.  That worked ok too.

[Stephen1]

I use anchorseal with antifreeze in it. 

[farmfromkansas]

Thanks to Doc for getting me a bucket of anchorseal, have heard that the white roof coating  Koolseal will work also. Menards has it occasionally 5 gallons for 50$.

[scsmith42]

Thanks to Doc for getting me a bucket of anchorseal, have heard that the white roof coating  Koolseal will work also. Menards has it occasionally 5 gallons for 50$.

Koolseal is a very bad idea, in my humble opinion.
The problem is that you either have to end trim the stuff off of every board after drying, or you risk tarring up your planer and jointers from the ends of the boards.
Perhaps it's no big deal to a hobbiest that doesn't mind the extra work and waste, but for most of us the cost of end trim and yield loss is much greater than the cost of Anchorseal.

[doc henderson]

it was my pleasure FFK.  yes anything is better than nothing, but anchorseal works well and burns off in the kiln.

[Walnut Beast]

I use anchorseal with antifreeze in it.

Is the antifreeze used for cold weather ?

[doc henderson]

yes. it is a water based wax emulsion.  so it will separate if it freezes.  I was told the antifreeze did not change the working characteristics.  If you do not have a heated shop ect.  it will protect your "not so cheap" but effective product.

[Al_Smith]

You can use roof coating/asphalt sealer but you need to cut a cookie off the end before it's  sawn else it will streak the lumber .Other than that I use anchor seal .

[WDH]

That Kool Seal is some really nasty stuff.  If you get any on your clothes or skin, it is basically permanent :D. 

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

How important is it to have lumber free of end checks?  If you do have checks or splits caused by drying, is it a financial loss?  The cost of using Anchorseal is about $5 per MBF. The shorter the lumber, or logs, the higher the cost per BF on lumber or logs.

Asa reminder, certain species, like oak, have a higher tendency to develop large end checks, compared to basswood or pine.  Thicker lumber is more prone, and the cost of damage is higher, so always cost thicker lumber.

Finally, the coating must be thick enough to stop drying.  In fact on expensive species like walnut, use two coats.

[YellowHammer]

I've been using a lot of Klingspors Green Wood Sealer, at $17 per gallon, flat rate and fast shipping.  I have seen no difference in performance.  

I didn't realize Anchorseal had dropped their shipping costs on their Anchorseal 2.

I have stopped end sealing logs, I leave some end trim on the logs, mill them, sticker them and then pack saw them to length on the pallet.  It saves all of the time I used to waste pre bucking logs, and 50% of the sealer used.
 

[TroyC]

Is it necessary to seal pine? I've read it isn't necessary so I'm wondering if I am wasting money.

[KenMac]

Is it necessary to seal pine? I've read it isn't necessary so I'm wondering if I am wasting money.

From what I've been told, you do not need to end coat pine or other soft woods. I'm sure someone more knowledgable will chime in soon.

[WDH]

No. there is no meed to end seal pine.  That sure makes it nice. 

[Mesquite cutter]

Thank you for all the information.   I will look into using anchor seal.  I would not need to use antifreeze around here.  We only have two season.  Summer and fall.  :D :D

[TmbrWlkr]

I saw a YouTube video where a woodworker was using Titebond 2 glue - he switched from Anchorseal - advantages are : costs, availability, and volume choices.  He claimed similar performance.

[RussMaGuss]

I bought a gallon of rockler's green wood sealer for like $22. Seemed similar to polycrylic. I agree with Gene where if the wood isn't highly valuable, don't even  waste your time, but at the same time I'd guess I used up maybe $3-4 for 1500 bdft of white oak. I did put 2 coats on the single walnut log I happened upon though lol 

[WDH]

Got another 5 gallon pail of anchorseal today.  I am sticking with the anchorseal.  In the long run, it is worth it to me.  I found paint to not be useless, but it is close  .  

[Walnut Beast]

Doesn't seem Anchorseal make the smaller buckets anymore? Wonder why ?

[doc henderson]

I still see a quart or gallon size for anchorseal.  on amazon

[Walnut Beast]

Good deal. I bought from the company sometime ago then noticed they didn't seem to offer the smaller pail I had got.

[Walnut Beast]

Just looked on there site. It's the colored one I wanted to get that's only in 5 gallon buckets now. They used to offer in smaller buckets in different colors 

[doc henderson]

prob. right on that note.  I looked on amazon.  can call the company and see what type of pigment they use.  not sure if it water based, or other?  if it is regular paint pigment, see if your local paint or hardware store will throw some in it for you.  I had questions and spoke to the UC coating company and they were very helpful.  

[Brad_bb]

I only use Anchor seal original.  When you calculate the cost per BF, it's so miniscule, it's not worth my time to chase those pennies. There are a lot of other ways to save time or money that are more worth while by pursuing other avenues of efficiency.  If you mill very little wood though, the up front cost is a real cost to you.   

[Larry]

Some woodturning clubs buy a 55 gallon drum of Anchorseal and resell at cost to turners.  If somebody peddling wood @YellowHammer had a drum and the word got out they were reselling, turners might just buy a $100 of wood while picking up a gallon.

[YellowHammer]

I just might do that, I could order it by the tote.  

I just looked at ordering some 5 gallon buckets of Anchorseal, but see on their website they are apparently still charging $33 for shipping per 5 gallons.  So for me to order 10 gallons costs $66 in shipping.  I canceled the order.    

I have been using the Kilngspors, it's made in bulk by another company, $17 per gallon, $7 flat rate shipping for the entire order.  I've been using it for maybe a couple years now, and I actually prefer it over the Anchoseal.  It seems to lay on a little thicker, goes through my spray equipment well, and there isn't any difference in end cracking.  It's also 30% less expensive and also saves me nearly $60 in shipping and can be ordered online with the click of a button.  

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

An effective end sealer must be able to attach to green wood, must be applied before any checking begins, and must stop the ends from drying. 

Many so-called end coatings fail in one of these three.  However, as the species the poor coatings are used on do not check easily, it appears that the coatings work.  The more expensive the wood, the more critical to use an expensive and effective coating applied correctly.

 In the wintertime, water leaving the wood through the end can form ice and then the coating covers the ice but not the wood, so the coating must be put on the fresh end ASAP.  In the summertime, the ends begin to dry soon after being sawn, so again, ASAP.

[Walnut Beast]

An effective end sealer must be able to attach to green wood, must be applied before any checking begins, and must stop the ends from drying.

Many so-called end coatings fail in one of these three.  However, as the species the poor coatings are used on do not check easily, it appears that the coatings work.  The more expensive the wood, the more critical to use an expensive and effective coating applied correctly.

In the wintertime, water leaving the wood through the end can form ice and then the coating covers the ice but not the wood, so the coating must be put on the fresh end ASAP.  In the summertime, the ends begin to dry soon after being sawn, so again, ASAP.

So what do you recommend besides Anchorseal ??

[doc henderson]

so I would ask it this way.  is there anything better than anchorseal for the same price, or anything just as good, but cheaper.  I think there not going to be a consistent answer.  @GeneWengert-WoodDoc @WDH @YellowHammer

[K-Guy]

Everyone has an opinion, plus who decides what is good enough?

[YellowHammer]

I guess the name Klingspors Green Wood Sealer kind of puts people off. :D :D  It makes it sounds bush league.

But what if I had called it Sealtite 60 End Coating from ISK Biocides?

Sealtite 60 End Coating

 It is a professional end coating.  Klingspors and other companies just rebottle and rename.

[xlogger]

Most of my logs I get have been cut a week or more. Is there any need to paint them? I usually do. Most of the time I can't cut off much of the ends. I need the lengths. If I get a 16 ft I cut it into half then paint. 

[mohicanww]

Rockler also sells a Rockler branded green wood sealer at $22 per gallon - it is anchorseal 2.

[aigheadish]

Yet another game I'm real new to...

After reading a handful of threads about end sealers it sounds like either anchorseal2 or Klingspors are the best bets, but also folks are watering them down a bit? Is that correct? 

And I saw the spray method thread rather than the brush method, that looks nice. 

My big pile of logs didn't get any of that but after the crazy amount I'm learning here on FF I'm realizing I may be lucky to use any of that, however these are all good things to know for when I knock over more trees...

[doc henderson]

the thinning was for ease of spraying.  I use anchorseal.  it is great.  latex paint is better than nothing.  so it depends on the value you place on the log.  for someone who occasionally brings me a log for themselves, I tell them a thick coat of left over paint will help.  most non woodworking homeowners do not want a 5 gallon pail.
it may take several coats of any product.  especially if you thin it.

[aigheadish]

Thanks @doc henderson ! 

As I learn more and start on new and different projects I'm starting to value my wood more highly. Unfortunately, like I've mentioned, I've got a fair amount of logs or chunks of logs that I have had around for anywhere from a couple months to probably 4 years, just laying in piles. I'm not sure what will be usable and what won't but I'm now considering the future wood I still have to cut down or what happens when I acquire wood from others. 

Am I reading correctly that some folks just pour antifreeze into their sprayer of anchorseal, if it wasn't ordered with the winterizer?

I appreciate your help!

[doc henderson]

It is specific.  I think it may be methanol (alcohol)  not ethylene glycol (car antifreeze).  they are nice, and I think they will tell you what to use use and the ratio.  talk to tech support.  Most of the benefit is if it is done as soon as it is cut.  after a few months prob. no benefit unless you trim 6 inches to get to wet wood.  defeating the purpose which is to prevent end checks and waste.  so starting now I would end coat good logs.  good luck.

[farmfromkansas]

Would RV antifreeze be the proper additive for the log sealer?

[doc henderson]

I think so but you can ask UC and be sure.  It may be watered down, so you may need pure or higher concentration by the time to added it to say 5 gallons.  it is formulated to be safe for humans and may be polyethylene glycol. the same as PEG wood stabilizer and Miralax  the laxative.  I will try to look.  i add windshield wash to my lube tank, but it is full concentration as i only add dawn and spindle lube, a few glugs.  so if you added a cup of RV antifreeze to 5 gallons of anchorseal, is it compatible and will it protect from freezing?

[Walnut Beast]

Would RV antifreeze be the proper additive for the log sealer?

When I talked to them they absolutely did not advise to do it. They basically said when guys add to there mixture they already have that it's getting watered down and defeating the purpose. They  have there own concoction that has the proper ratios