Preserving old oak beams.

[saveasteading]

I've come cross adverts for shot-blasting old oak beams. These people seem to ignore that this could be illegal in a listed building, needs planning permission, have structural implications, and it's  simply 'a bad thing'.

 

So in case you are interested here is an alternative. Instead of blasting off the black paint and crud, along with a thickness of ancient timber, there is a paint which looks just like the original. Lightens the room up too. I could barely see that it wasn't the original wood even after being told.

 

The cost is a fraction too, as is the disruption. 

[Mr Punter]

What is the paint?

[saveasteading]

2 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

What is the paint?

I can find out.  remind me in a week if I have not answered.

But from a quick google I think it was this or very similar. A paint for the base then some 'character' added.

I'm thinking this because the said they found it with a facebook guide  too.

 

•  Crème De La Crème from the self-priming Lazy Range)
• Frenchic Browning Wax

[saveasteading]

Would you credit it? Facebook has been following this and I had an advert about shot-blasting....   no mention of course of listed buildings, AONB, planning or building reg's.

But of course they will leave that to the survey, won't they?

[Roger440]

Interesting. I had them ice blasted at the last place. Not the mess of blasting, but cheap it wasnt!

[Russdl]

40 minutes ago, Roger440 said:

ice blasted

I guess that’s just what it sounds like it is? Never heard of it before.

[-rick-]

4 minutes ago, Russdl said:

I guess that’s just what it sounds like it is? Never heard of it before.

 

Dry ice I think, CO2 not H2O

[Russdl]

Ah, so not exactly as it sounds then, interesting. 

[Roger440]

11 hours ago, -rick- said:

 

Dry ice I think, CO2 not H2O

 

Yes, thats correct, dry ice. 

 

Much less aggressive on the timber. Didnt really want a sandblasted look, just wanted the many layers of soft paint gone. And filler as it turns out. Lots of filler.

[Alan Ambrose]

There are a bunch of blasting options - bead blasting is another. Can’t imagine that this is really ‘illegal’ - after all you could also use your sander…

 

There’s also oxalic acid - often used to remove stains and bleach the wood a little bit. We need to do ours. Have heard that ice blasting is a bit lightweight.

[saveasteading]

47 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

Can’t imagine that this is really ‘illegal’ -

If it is listed then that is the case. Even if not lusted, it is heritage, and you are the current custodian.

I have seen this disputed vehemently "my house, my decision", but it is the case.

 

 

 

48 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

after all you could also use your sander…

Or an axe. 

 

 

[Roger440]

1 hour ago, Alan Ambrose said:

There are a bunch of blasting options - bead blasting is another. Can’t imagine that this is really ‘illegal’ - after all you could also use your sander…

 

There’s also oxalic acid - often used to remove stains and bleach the wood a little bit. We need to do ours. Have heard that ice blasting is a bit lightweight.

 

For us ice blasting was perfect. Aside from minimal mess, the beams had multiple layers of paint, a lot of it very soft. Ice blasting is perfect for this as it freezes and shatters it. Sand blasting or bead blasting works really well on hard paint on a hard surface. Traditional blasting on a soft paint means slower progress and so likely more damage to the substrate.  Especially on softer woods that are not oak for example. Though bead is clearly better than sand.

 

Ice blasting is a fantastic way of cleaning, but a lot of "gear" and expensive dry ice.

 

The lack of mess was certainly a bonus.