Alternative for anchorseal (that can be purchased at lowes)

[burdman_22]

Sorry...I know this topic has been posted a million times. I tried finding a related topic, but always have issues with search.

Can anyone make any recommendations for something I can buy from lowes that will seal adequately? Not really looking to save money, I'm just trying to find something I can drive to lowes and get instead of having to wait on a delivery for.

[scsmith42]

For lower value logs, I'll pick up some gallon can's of wrongly mixed latex paint at Lowes, Home Depot or a local paint/hardware store.  Usually can get them for $5 - $10 bucks.

Latex paint does not work as well as anchor seal, but it's better than nothing and allows you to color code logs/lumber.

Keep in mind that you need to apply it within 3 days of a fresh cut on the end of a lot in order to be effective as an end sealer.

[Magicman]

I do the same thing for property line marking paint.  If it is not red enough, they will usually give it another squirt and shake it for you. 

[burdman_22]

Keep in mind that you need to apply it within 3 days of a fresh cut on the end of a lot in order to be effective as an end sealer.

Yeah, I know it has to be quick, that's why I want something I can get from Lowes. My wife is going to saw the log up for me this weekend, so needed something I could get quick.

[Hilltop366]

We have a recycling place that you can drop off or pick up paint at no charge. May be a economical choice if you have one around you.

[Magicman]

Out of curiosity, what is the log species?

[Larry]

I guess latex paint is better than nothing but not by much.

I've read of folks using Titebond to seal logs with good results but I have no personal experience.

Their is a a product available at Walmart that is actually a lot better than Anchorseal. Its Gulf Wax canning wax. When I lived in north Missouri, I knew a couple of commercial walnut mills. When they were sawing gun stock blanks they always had a 55 gallon barrel sitting on a wood fire with a couple inches of canning wax in it. Every gun stock had each end dipped in the hot wax. I have used it on logs when I ran out of Anchorseal but its a pita to keep it warm enough to apply.

Full disclosure, I only seal logs that are fresh cut. After a few days especially hot windy days, the checks have already started and its too late. They will normally stop at the first drying stick anyhow.

[burdman_22]

Out of curiosity, what is the log species?

It's red oak, so nothing super special, but it's at least nice clear stuff.

[Nebraska]

I thought there was an elastomeric roof sealant that did the job from the box stores. I just use old paint most all of my logs aren't fresh enough to matter. Usually it's  a hey Doc we took a tree down. 

[doc henderson]

My neighbor paints houses and often has 4 gallons of new paint left over from each job.  I use it on lessor stuff.  I use ancorseal and like different colors.  Paint is nice to give someone who brings logs, and a year later, i can find that person's logs based on the color, even if the "seal" is past due.  I also have gotten concrete cure from the company my brother worked for and it is a wax emulsion.  they get it in tanker trailer amount, but at the end, they get icb totes full, 225 gallons each, I think.  I use the metal cage for firewood and the plastic liners tend to have left over product.  If you drive by a road construction plant and see the metal container and play your cards right (do not act like a jerk that might sue if you stub your toe) they may give you some.  you can consolidate the wax emulsion and strain it, roll or spray it on.  

[Douglassawdust]

I had some left-over Ames Blue Max basement water sealer from a job and tried it because i had it and it worked surprisingly well; however, the company says its not UV resistant so not sure how it fares in full exposure long term. I believe its avail at Big box stores..

[Brad_bb]

If you can't keep enough Anchorseal on hand that shipping time is a problem, then you have a lack of organization/follow through problem.  Just keep enough on hand that you won't be pressed for time.  I buy a 5 gallon bucket at a time.  I mix it and pour off one gallon in a new 1 gallon paint can so I don't have to carry the 5 gallon bucket around or pour it off into a cup every time.  

I keep lists on my phone in "Notes".  When I think of a task or project I need to do or something I need to order it goes on the list.  At night in front of the computer i order anything I need on the list.   I also reorder my list by priority.  Without doing that I could function and stay focused.

[doc henderson]

the wax emulsion also burns off in a kiln, but I figure ends will be trimmed as well.

[burdman_22]

If you can't keep enough Anchorseal on hand that shipping time is a problem, then you have a lack of organization/follow through problem.

Thanks

[barbender]

Yeah that was helpful, Brad.

I'd like to know of other wax emulsions that would work comparably that I could get locally. 

[doc henderson]

You could try to make your own.  Or melt wax and apply it.  It has got expensive as well.  I order a few five-gallon pails, and it lasts me a while.  I do not use it on softwood.  See if there is a woodworking store or lumber yard that will get a 55-gallon barrel and sell it by the gallon or pail.  There was a place in KC that did this.  Not in a smaller town.  Or you can collaborate with local other guys and save on shipping.  The last cotton picker spindle cleaner I got the shipping was a hundred bucks whether I bought 5 gallons or 55.  I got 4 five-gallon pails.  drops the shipping to 25 bucks a pail.  In the summer road crews use a wax emulsion cure on highway construction.  each of the totes has some in the bottom and if you find the right guy, they will give you the tote with leftover in it.

[beenthere]

Should be as easy as melting paraffin wax and mixing with mineral spirits, or with fuel oil. That is a mix that is used to treat wood decks to make them more water proof. Not easy, but as easy as melting the wax.

[caveman]

I have never used floor wax, but I think that it would work.  The public schools here have linoleum tile floors and every summer they are waxed.  I used to get all of the five-gallon buckets I wanted after they waxed the floors.  There was enough residual wax in the buckets that a frugal person could collect quite a bit it he wanted to from the almost empty buckets.  

This stuff is liquid and would not need to be melted down like paraffin or bee's wax (which works well) and should spray through a pump-up sprayer.  

[Wlmedley]

It may have been a fluke but I once had a pretty nice cherry log given to me that had just been cut. I had heard that they are bad about splitting while drying and I sprayed the ends with polyurethane out of spray cans that I had and never used.It either worked or log wasn't going to split anyway.Only cherry I've ever milled so nothing to compare it to.

[blackhawk]

Try to find a local woodturning club.  My local club buys a 55 gallon barrel and sells gallon jugs to it's members for about 1/2 price of any retailer.  My club only sells to members but the membership is only $25 per year.  I break even on that after 2 gallons of Anchorseal.