Garden shed made entirely out of pallets - how to protect it?

[Bonebreaker777]

I'm making a shed out of mostly euro pallets (the standard 120cm X 80cm pallets, the shed has a base of 160cm X 240cm). Used nothing but pallet wood and some reclaimed sheet metal for the roof. Obviously every piece is different - can post some pictures later.

Should I try to display the different types of wood by using some oil or clear preservative or just cover it with a dark fence paint I already have?

Edit: 1st set of pictures > https://jpegbay.com/gallery/007341425-1.html#1

Edit: 2nd set of pictures > https://jpegbay.com/gallery/007347087-1.html#1

[Hoonigan]

Considering pallets are usually rough sawn and very rarely planed, you'd probably use a lot of expensive oil on trying to cover it all, so you're probably best to use the dark fence paint and slapping it on.

We wanna see pictures though! Loads of pictures.

[Bonebreaker777]

We wanna see pictures though! Loads of pictures.

EDIT: https://jpegbay.com/gallery/007341425-1.html#1

The first few pictures is the old sheds coming down, then there's my cat helping me on top of the pallets, then there's the base of the shed being made and then the uprights and the roof. No new pictures showing that I've done 2 x sides and now it is currently missing the back and the front/door only. The pallets are taken apart by hand, using only a hacksaw and a hammer. I'm trying to reuse as many nails as I can from the pallets and using screws I've saved from the old sheds. I'll promise to take more pictures during the weekend.

[TeePee]

Creasote?

[philehidiot]

Do you have a car?

Is it due an oil change?

Wear gloves.

[Bonebreaker777]

Do you have a car?

Is it due an oil change?

Wear gloves.

I've looked into but people who seem to know what they're talking about, don't recommend it.

Have a car, lease. Not due oil change, in 2 years we've done less than 9k miles (although it was changed after the first 12 months).

Have you've done it? Staining wood with used motor oil?

[peterb]

I wouldn’t use used car oil. Lots of nasty breakdown products in used mineral (and synthetic oil) and you want your wood preserved, not lubricated!

[Butcher]

I'd be on the fence paint or similar. Outside is not really the place for trying to preserve character.

[PC-LAD]

Hi, about 8 years ago I helped my dad put together some fence panels out of pallets. They have 0 rot and I helped repaint them 4 years ago and they are due another coat this year. We simply got the electric sander on each length after pulling them appart. Nailed them together and put some fence paint on them. Nothing much to it. But for the Main Stucture of the Shead i wouldn't use the pallet wood, I'd go and get some good 4*4 timber. I assume you have a concreate base ect?

[spacein_vader]

Stick with the shed paint, it'll probably last longer and it'll certainly be cheaper.

[Jonj1611]

I am sure you have researched your design but I would have some diagonal bits of wood for reinforcement.

And would go with normal wood panel paint/protector

[Saracen999]

Creasote?

At the risk of bringing a Brexit argument in here, that'll have to wait until post-Brexit, and even then have to hope HSE laws don't carry over, because it's been banned for "amatuer" use, EU-wide, since 2003. Professionals can still use and buy) it, subject to regukations about how to apply it, and where treated wood will be used, buy DIY? Nope.

Oh, and it's not just Creosote, as a branded product, but other coal-tar products too.


Caveat - Has a non-banned formulstion, called Creosote but not formulated in the way we all know/knew Creosote, been released? Dunno It's possible.


As an aside, I'm negotiating for a new shed currently and was advised by a garden-designer mate to "get properly pressure-treated wood, and give it a final oil-based coat. If you use one of those water-based coloured "preservatives", well, get used to retreating it every year or two".

Now me, what I know about treating wood could be fitted on the pointy end of one of these >.< .... so just saying what I was advised. Make of it what you will.

[Bonebreaker777]

Hi, about 8 years ago I helped my dad put together some fence panels out of pallets. They have 0 rot and I helped repaint them 4 years ago and they are due another coat this year. We simply got the electric sander on each length after pulling them appart. Nailed them together and put some fence paint on them. Nothing much to it. But for the Main Stucture of the Shead i wouldn't use the pallet wood, I'd go and get some good 4*4 timber. I assume you have a concreate base ect?

As per the pictures, only wood out of pallets is used, mostly out of euro pallets.

Concrete base - yes, as per pictures

[Bonebreaker777]

I am sure you have researched your design but I would have some diagonal bits of wood for reinforcement.

And would go with normal wood panel paint/protector

Nay, couldn't find a design only using mostly euro pallets as material. But the shed, even without sides withstood the recent high speed winds (reportedly 40odd mph) and I could walk and crawl on the roof without the slightest movement.

[Bonebreaker777]

At the risk of bringing a Brexit argument in here, that'll have to wait until post-Brexit, and even then have to hope HSE laws don't carry over, because it's been banned for "amatuer" use, EU-wide, since 2003. Professionals can still use and buy) it, subject to regukations about how to apply it, and where treated wood will be used, buy DIY? Nope.

Oh, and it's not just Creosote, as a branded product, but other coal-tar products too.


Caveat - Has a non-banned formulstion, called Creosote but not formulated in the way we all know/knew Creosote, been released? Dunno It's possible.


As an aside, I'm negotiating for a new shed currently and was advised by a garden-designer mate to "get properly pressure-treated wood, and give it a final oil-based coat. If you use one of those water-based coloured "preservatives", well, get used to retreating it every year or two".

Now me, what I know about treating wood could be fitted on the pointy end of one of these >.< .... so just saying what I was advised. Make of it what you will.

Looked into that but I would love to keep my shed 'free' - only invested time into it. Have quite a few buckets of the same coloured fence/shed paint, will just use that.

[Saracen999]

Looked into that but I would love to keep my shed 'free' - only invested time into it. Have quite a few buckets of the same coloured fence/shed paint, will just use that.

And commendable that is too in this overly consumerism-led world. I applaud you.