Using clear varnish

[Jester]

Hi there crazy kids!!
I was just wondering, I have a Moreton Bay Fig with a fair chunk of dead wood on it. If I apply Lime Sulphur as I have done for other trees I have, in all honesty it will just look daggy; that is to say,...it just does'ny match. If I'm putting it on "dead wood" (which I might add looks quite nice with the various shades of colour), why can't I just use a clear varnish? To my way of thinking, not only will it bring out the natural colour and grain even more, but it will also preserve the wood and repel any water.

What am I missing here guys? I just have'nt heard of anyone else doing this.

Regards


John

[bodhidharma]

Hey Jester, very sorry mate, water will get under it eventually and it will lift and look crappy.

[Jester]

Hey Bodhiharma, at the risk of sounding persistent, if I were to thoroughly coat the edges and give it several coats, why would this not work? It works on normal timber? Why are you adamant that water would creep in? Does this not have as much chance of occuring (if not more) with lime sulphur (being a more porous material?


John

[Handy Mick]

Jester,

Lime sulphur is a preservitive, it gets into the wood and prevents it from decaying further.
Varnish on the other hand just covers the timber and gives the timber a hard surface which will end up chipping or going powdery, have you not seen older hand rails and flooring? Using varnish on your bonsai, I dont think so! especially when it gets watered, its in the elements and other parts are still growing around it. Dont do it.


Mick

[Mudeye]

Hi All,
Lime Surphur soaks into the timber as varnish only covers the outside so over time it will lift.try timber stains only on off cuts not on live trees see how you go

[bodhidharma]

Hey Bodhiharma, at the risk of sounding persistent, if I were to thoroughly coat the edges and give it several coats, why would this not work? It works on normal timber? Why are you adamant that water would creep in? Does this not have as much chance of occuring (if not more) with lime sulphur (being a more porous material?


John

I am the first to say, if you dont know then you gotta try it. I spent 45 years in the building trade and have never seen clear varnish hang in there. If you are going to have a go use Marine Varnish. They used to do boats with them.
I will wait and see what it looks like when you have done it. I use wound sealant mixed 50/50 with industrial external P.V.C to seal rot. If you dont know, have a go..is my motto.

[astroboy76]

i think i read somewhere that varnishes and even some wood hardeners allow moisture in where the living tissue meets the dead wood. perhaps this is why it might not work and how moisture, over time, may get under the varnish and lift it?

[NBPCA]

Earls Wood Hardener may also be an option.

Figs definately don't like Lime Sulphur on live wood.

Grant