In this video, I’m using Rustoleum’s Woodlife Copper Coat Wood Preservative to coat exposed wood in pressure-treated lumber. This lumber will be in contact with the ground after I make cuts to it. Pressure-treated lumber has protection. But, cutting into the pressure-treated wood exposes potentially untreated wood. One way to protect this wood is to coat it with a preservative, like this copper coat product.
Building a Retaining Wall
This is part of the Do It Yourself Build a Shed series. I’m building a retaining wall that will hold the gravel bed, which serves as a foundation for my shed. The design of my retaining wall uses pressure-treated lumber that is interconnected through a series of half-lap joints. A half-lap joint is where half of the material of two pieces of wood is cut away on opposite sides. Then these two pieces can be joined together forming a strong bond. The joint requires fasteners and I’m using construction lag screws in combination with rebar pins as demonstrated in this video Do It Yourself Build a Shed – Securing Timbers with Rebar.
Woodlife Copper Coat Wood Preservative
Assembly can begin once the half-lap joints are complete. This assembly will form the retaining wall. I’d prefer that this wood would last forever, which is unlikely so the best that I can do is prolong its life. This is why I purchased this product to protect the exposed part of the pressure-treated timbers.
This wood is in contact with the ground; however, the landscaping fabric and gravel bed act as a shield. The gravel should allow for rapid drainage of any water that finds its way into the area of the gravel bed. Certainly, the water that falls from the roof will pool around this area. But, the ground has a slight slope to it with a 7-inch height difference from one corner of the gravel back to the other diagonal corner. From my observation, this slope is enough to drain the area.
Applying the Copper Coat Wood Preservative
It is probably best that you observe some precautions unlike I did in this video. You may want to wear nitrile gloves, don work clothes that you don’t mind getting stained, and wear protective goggles during the application process. Although I did not wear gloves it would have been safer if I did. The product is easy to apply as I demonstrate its application with a brush. This pint has two openings, one is smaller within the larger lid. Either can be opened but I chose to remove the entire lid so I could fit my brush within the can. I’m not sure what the shelf-life is of this can of copper coat but I’m certain it is enough for my lifetime.
You can see my end cuts and the half-lap joints are showing exposed wood. I apply the Woodlife Copper Coat Wood Preservative with my brush onto these exposed areas. Since it is copper-based it has a blue color to it. But, once it is exposed to air it oxidizes and turns to a green patina color.
Products Used in this Video
To purchase this product and other products seen in this video:
- EPA-registered, insecticidal exterior wood preservative prevents attacks from termites and other wood boring insects while protecting against rot and decay
- Transparent, natural green color
- Designed to protect exterior untreated or pressure-treated wood in below ground, ground contact, fresh water contact, or above ground installations
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Video Credits:
Video Production: U Do It™️ Studios a Division of No Cheese Records® LLC All Rights Reserved.
Do It Yourself Build a Shed Series
To learn more about this series check out the DIY Build a Shed Series here.
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