Engine Oil and Diesel as a sealer

[Specialized29er]

I have a 30 old fence that I'd like to restore and am wondering if others have used the engine oil and diesel mixture as a finish.
I've water blasted both sides of the 100M fence and have carried out the repairs, now to give it a spray with something to restore the natural hardwood timber finish.
I'm thinking the oil mix would be good as it won't have any effect on the steel posts.
Fence 11.12.17 - 1.jpgFence 11.12.17 - 3.jpg

[orraloon]

Sump oil was used on timber a lot in the past but these days it may raise a few eyebrows among the neighbours and perhaps the council. Would not be viewed as very green.
Regards
John

[Christos]

We are in a rural setting and two of our neighbours have used sump oil to coat their main entrance fence poles. It looks very good as you can just make out the wood underneath. I originally thought it was a tar type paint that I think you can get from Bunnings.

[BobL]

I can think of some reasons why not to so this.
Used engine oil is somewhat UV resistant because it has soot and metal bits in it, but unfortunately a known carcinogen and should not be used in these situations.
The diesel will evaporate so you might as well spray that direct into the air.
Engine oil will stay sticky for some time and attract all manner of dust and grit until it too breaks down.
Engine oil does not fill gaps so water gets in and you will be back to where you are now within a couple years.
Oil soaked wood burns spectacularly well.

If you don't want to touch the wood again for 10 years I recommend a couple of coats of good quality exterior paint.

[double.d]

I have a drum that all waste goes in. Used turps, cooking oil, motor oil, petrol etc which while i'm on holidays will be used to dowse the 200 x 75 posts of my front fence. I've only had to do it twice in the last 10 years and the posts are still looking good.

[BobL]

I have a drum that all waste goes in. Used turps, cooking oil, motor oil, petrol etc which while i'm on holidays will be used to dowse the 200 x 75 posts of my front fence. I've only had to do it twice in the last 10 years and the posts are still looking good.

Unfortunately the nasty stuff from the motor oil will end up washed by rain into the ground water and water ways. The volatiles like petrol and turps will just evaporate off the wood and eventually break down to water and CO2, not so good for the green house effect but safer apparently than letting it get in the water way. The safest place for used motor oil is at an oil recycler where it can be cleaned and reused.

[tonzeyd]

I've seen this pop up from time to time.

Understandable that in the good ol days when not much was available or was cost prohibitive, but what are the benefits of using diesel/oil vs "conventional methods" such as BLO, varnish or paint?

Other than maybe cost??

I sure would hate to be anywhere near anyone that decides to do this to their fence, for the reasons mentioned above.

It reminds me of the when my dad would use leaded petrol as his choice of hand cleaner...

[twosheds]

I've had some success with used farm tractor transmission fluid to treat a cypress deck that is fully exposed to the elements. Simply apply it with a 10mm nap roller. Recoat every 12 - 18 months. Its pretty easy to do a deck, should be just as easy with a paling fence. The used fluid is still a honey colour so will not stop the timber from getting that greying look but will help preserve it.

Just my 2 cents worth

Twosheds

[China]

I can,t speak for other States, in South Australia it is a offence to allow any contaminated product to contact ground eg. paint, motor oil, motor spirit (Diesel), Asbestos or any other substance prescribed under the act, such items
are to disposed by a person or entity licensed to do so

[Robson Valley]

You're asking for all kinds of environmental grief and litigation.
Decades ago, even we could use transmission fluid as the cheapest preservative
(shooting shed at the local Rod & Gun club). But the less said these days, the better.
Like many suggest, use paint. May not be exactly what you want but at the end of the day, legal.
Paint won't bother your steel posts.

[Specialized29er]

Thanks for the advise guys, I'm back now and want to get this done before work on the 2nd.
Any suggestions as to what I could use and I have no interest in covering the timber with the nasty paint.
Is there an environmentally friendly oil based product out there, I've recently used the exterior Danish Oil on the outdoor furniture but that would be a tad expensive.
I'm thinking a product I can fill the 20lt backpack sprayer with and apply with the wand.

[artful bodger]

What about a decking oil from your local hardware shop?.
Paint is a p.i.t.a as it will eventually breakdown.
Decking Oil on the other hand can just be re-oiled.

[China]

Deck Oil | Timber Finishes for all exterior hardwood | Preschem