Shou sugi ban in the tropics?

[Thronester]

Let’s stir the pot. Just wondering if anyone has seen or had luck with shou sugi ban in Hawaii. Shou sugi ban is the Japanese technique of charring the outside of cedar with a weed torch then treating with oil for a finish that in Japan lasts for 100 years. It’s waterproof and from what I’ve read looking around on the internet, is also termite resistant. Anyone wanna burn up some expensive cedar with me?! LOL

[Mangosteen]

Different climates might produce different results.

Probably take a couple of years at least to see the difference between treated and non treated cedar; I believe all wood is going to rot at some point on the East Side.

I'd stick with non wood alternatives, like the ones offered by Castleblock.

http://castleblock.com/

[My 2 cents]

Oil is a beautiful finish with a very soft and natural look. Most anywhere else it would be my preferred choice, but I stopped using it here decades ago because of its tendency to mildew.

[BillyB]

My grandfather would char the end of fence posts and dip them in linseed oil for fences in the north east. That goes back 100 years I know of. I am sure he did not originate it. Black Locus was the desired wood there.

[Thronester]

[quote]Originally posted by BillyB

My grandfather would char the end of fence posts and dip them in linseed oil for fences in the north east. That goes back 100 years I know of. I am sure he did not originate it. Black Locus was the desired wood there.
[/quote

That’s interesting. I think shou sugi ban started in the 18th century

[Thronester]

quote:

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Originally posted by My 2 cents

Oil is a beautiful finish with a very soft and natural look. Most anywhere else it would be my preferred choice, but I stopped using it here decades ago because of its tendency to mildew.

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Yeah that’s what I was thinking would be one of the drawbacks to trying it would be that it’s difficult to wipe down. Especially if it’s all charred up. I guess you could hit it with the torch again! []

[Thronester]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mangosteen

Different climates might produce different results.

Probably take a couple of years at least to see the difference between treated and non treated cedar; I believe all wood is going to rot at some point on the East Side.

I'd stick with non wood alternatives, like the ones offered by Castleblock.

http://castleblock.com/

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Castleblock has some really good stuff. I was thinking about trying this for more artistic projects.

[MarkP]

Black locust fence posts lasts decades without treatment.

[bgiles]

My father and I replaced his mailbox post with black locust; he died in 1993. Can't remember how many years before....black locust has sweet smelling flowers but suckers and has thorns. Post is still rock-solid.