Preserving an old timber wine press

[poundlane]

Hi all,

Finally getting around to trying to preserve an old wine press I picked up a few years back. (pictures attached) A mate of mine suggested I get some good advice!. Id like to preserve and partially restore it rather than try to fully restore it. Its main problems are that its been outside for some years, and the wood is terribly dry and has cracked, rotted in a few places and has woodworm, oh and a few borer holes! Apart from that its ok ... Im not sure what sort of timber it is, but I'd suspect its something like what I know as a tassie oak (sorry if thats a swear word), its a yellowish colour in the unexposed joints and seems pretty hard - but as you can tell im no expert.

So, to the question(s)...what would preserve and improve the dry timber, tung oil has been suggested?...would I sand it first?...what could I fill the worm and borer holes with. Also, where the base has rotted slightly here are a few bits of timber which are loose. Whats the best way to secure them without 'spoiling' the piece. As I said, Im not aiming to make it look new, just preserve its overall condition...

Any advice or ideas on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks in advance

Chris

[Woodwould]

From the two pictures supplied, the press looks perfectly fine to me. Part of the press' attraction is it's bucolic charm and I would be loathe to sand it or do anything else drastic to it.

The presence of holes indicates the borer and worm larvae have matured into flying insects and have already nibbled their way out and flown the coop, but some may have laid another generation of eggs in the timber.

I'm more of a preserver than restorer and all I would do is brush a bucket full of borax solution (you can buy borax - a white powder - in the cleaning aisles of supermarkets and Bunnings etc.) over the whole thing. That will kill any resident worms and borers and won't taint the timber in case anyone decides to reinstate it as an active wine press.

[poundlane]

Hi, Thanks, I think you are right, however - the photos dont really convey how 'oxidised' the wood is, and its turning to dust and the cracking is getting worse - even though its been under cover. Im going to just dust off the oxidation and apply a little pure tung oil (on the non-grape contact areas) to get a bit of moisture back in..will let you know how i go!

thanks again....

Chris