In short i would definitely say that treating fence posts with motor oil is rather dangerous.
Treating fence posts with oil.
If the posts are still green they need to dry out before being treated with oil.
Posted 8 years ago.
But i ve known some old timers who would make fence posts outa the type of small round wood you get when someone clears land by soaking them in a barrel of used motor oil for a month or two.
Water damage makes the wood vulnerable to termites.
They are also used in smokers farmers use in fields.
Wood oils not only keep garden fences looking better for longer they also nourish and feed the wood to keep it supple and water resistant.
No treating fence posts with oil.
Set the post in the hole while holding a level on the side to check for plumb.
As much as 22 ppm.
This particular hydrocarbon can be found in significant amounts in that motor oil that is used to treat posts.
This helps to prevent fence panels from drying out cracking splitting and warping.
Motor oil is used as a wood preservative for fence posts.
They have stoves that will burn used motor oil in a lot of the garages.
Fill in the hole around the fence post with more 1 4 minus gravel packed tight against the sides of the post.
This allows for increased preservative penetration.
This seems like it could greatly reduce the expence of some post replacements and fencing projects i ve been putting off but i am worries about weather the oil would do any damage to the water table or.
As for cancerous effects on animals one pah in particular has proven to be a leading culprit.
This process is called seasoning and it allows the wood to dry out so that splits and checks open in the wood.
Untreated wooden fence posts are susceptible to water damage.
Diy treating a fence post the old way.
Termite infestations quickly cut channels into the wood reducing it to powder and leaving only the severely weakened cellulose stalks in the wood.
The story of an old time texas homesteader who makes his own treated fence posts from cleared wood and used motor oil.