Sealing a slab - advice please

Hi Everyone,
My first venture into working with large slabs rather than store bought timber so all advice much appreciated.
I bought 6 slabs very cheaply from a farm clearing sale to make outdoor steps & the landing. Each slab is about 9' long & 12"- 24" wide & 3" deep.
The timber is very pale in colour & much softer to cut than the ironbark I use in fences, much lighter to lift as well.
The edges seem to have dry rot or something, maybe that's just the sap wood, inside that seems solid enough & cut well.
I don't know how to tell what type of wood it is & don't know if that matters or not.
I would like to finish so it still looks like timber rather than just paint it but have no idea what products are most suitable for a job like this... my fence posts just get creosote & sump oil but that's a bit too rustic for the porch even for me!
I hope this is enough info for some advice please.
Regards, Vicki

Welcome to the forum

Firsf try and work out how to put some photos up and that will give us a better idea of what/how/why

Cheers

Thanks for the welcome,
Photography! - now that is a challenge for tomorrow.

Well I hope this works & the pics are good enough...

Hi Vicki,

The better quality brand name external oils will stand you in good stead. Use plenty of it and maybe thin down the first coat so as much oil as possible gets in. Fine sanding will reduce the timber's ability to soak up the oil as well. My dad swore by sump oil for fences but you are right, not much of a look for a porch.

Some of the other forumites may be able to supply you with one of their tried and true secret squirrel recipes.

Cheers

Bryan

Hi Bryan,
Thanks for the suggestion, I can see me reading labels next time I'm in town.
It sounds like I would be better not to fine sand before I apply the oil, is that right?
Regards, Vicki

Looks very much like Silky Oak to me, which would explain the sapwood as Borers love Silky sapwood.

For outside use, I'd suggest Sikkens, haven't used it myself but have seen it get good reviews on the board here and elsewhere.

Thanks DJ, I'll be sure to look at Sikkens.
Silky Oak, gee that's nice if it is, I have a lot of those growing here so that would be very appropriate.
I've only seen small turned things made from Silky Oak, never a large slab so I didn't think of it.
Regards, Vicki

Hi Vicki,

What DJ said for Sikkens :). Yeah, the fine sanding thing can be a bit of a trap especially for something that has to stand up to the weather. Great for internal furniture though.

Good luck and don't forget to post a photo of the finished project.

cheers

Bryan