01-27-2008, 09:35 AM
Glen, I found this little publicaton on "Treating Bamboo & Rattan":
http://www.inbar.int/publication/txt/INB...t_No03.htm
mostly on treatment of bamboo timbers. Baboo Village in Hawaii has a paragraph on sealnt, taken from:
http://www.bamboovillagehawaii.org/report.htm
"Sealants
For exterior use, after curing, fabrication, and sanding, all surfaces should be coated with a sealant of some kind. We started using Cetol 1, made by Sikkens. It is expensive but has the reputation for being the highest quality alkyd resin coating for durable exterior use. We have experimented with many coatings. Water based urethanes are fine for interior use. In wet climates oil based coatings will allow fungal growth unless a fungicide is added, but it is still sketchy for either interior or exterior use.
A deck coating, preferably with pigment of some sort, should be applied whenever using bamboo in direct contact with the elements. Pigmented epoxy and polyester resin are also possibilities for exterior use. Keep bamboo away from grade, or concrete. Never allow the base of bamboo posts to remain wet, in any case."
This has article has nice visuals, incase you want to treat replacement pieces:
http://www.bambooman.com.au/bambootreatment/ebf.php
Most of the info I have just states that you use the wood preservatives that you would use for an outdoor wood structure... Hope this helps out (& hope you have fun with the ficus palapa!)
http://www.inbar.int/publication/txt/INB...t_No03.htm
mostly on treatment of bamboo timbers. Baboo Village in Hawaii has a paragraph on sealnt, taken from:
http://www.bamboovillagehawaii.org/report.htm
"Sealants
For exterior use, after curing, fabrication, and sanding, all surfaces should be coated with a sealant of some kind. We started using Cetol 1, made by Sikkens. It is expensive but has the reputation for being the highest quality alkyd resin coating for durable exterior use. We have experimented with many coatings. Water based urethanes are fine for interior use. In wet climates oil based coatings will allow fungal growth unless a fungicide is added, but it is still sketchy for either interior or exterior use.
A deck coating, preferably with pigment of some sort, should be applied whenever using bamboo in direct contact with the elements. Pigmented epoxy and polyester resin are also possibilities for exterior use. Keep bamboo away from grade, or concrete. Never allow the base of bamboo posts to remain wet, in any case."
This has article has nice visuals, incase you want to treat replacement pieces:
http://www.bambooman.com.au/bambootreatment/ebf.php
Most of the info I have just states that you use the wood preservatives that you would use for an outdoor wood structure... Hope this helps out (& hope you have fun with the ficus palapa!)