Use this Japanese method to make your wood weatherproof , without toxic and make your wood , or your woodworking projects “”immortal” . It’s cheap , simple , timeless and works with any kind of wood .
If you want to make your precious wood material “bulletproof” in front of the brutal exterior circumstances , the Shou Sugi Ban method , it comes from the ancient Japanese times and it’s so easy .
I know that there are many woodworkers , like and use the products of the wood industry and of course i don’t criticize them at all . I use many times , the “countless” products , which exists in the market in order to protect my wood pieces .
But most of the times i try to find the better natural ways to do my “job” and i like very much the ways , people of the past used to complete their projects .
One of the biggest problems the woodworkers , amateur or experienced have , is the protection of their wood materials , from the weather .
The external circumastances , “push to their limits” any material in the world and wood isn’t an exception . rain , snow , hot sun , moisture , winds , different temperatures , dry conditions and all these mixed sometimes , put our precious wood , in the test .
The Shou Sugi Ban , method comes to give us solution and if we are careful during the process , this method has many benefits .
What is the Shou Sugi Ban , technique ?
Shou Sugi Ban , is the burning of the wood making its surface carbonized . Yes , we burn the surface of the wood and this simple technic , makes its surface very durable to the hard exterior circumstances .
What kinds of wood can be used for Shou Sugi Ban ?
As i have told you this very old technique has began in Japan and the wood they used was mostly cedar , but you can use this technique to any wood type , you have .
Cedar has more bigger wood cells than other woods and the burning process makes these cells , shrink better and become harder .
The texture of cedar is also amazing in the touch and looks . But of course you can do Shou Sugi Ban method , to any wood you have .
You can create this astonishing burned wooden surfaces , with pine , maple , oak and whatever you have for your wood projects .
In Canada they use Shou Sugi Ban , to built their log cabins and seal the parts of the logs , which will be in contact with the soil directly .
What is the Correct Shou Sugi Ban process ?
Before you start our “burning actions” make sure that your wood surface is clean and ready and of ocurse you must have nothing flamable is near you .
No wood glue , no plastic bags , or anyhting which can get burned should be near you . Our safety (and the other human beings of course ) , ALWAYS comes first !!!!!! .
Using a small torch machine , or a bigger one if your wood piece is bigger , burn the surface of the wood in a depth of 2 – 5 mm , making its surface carbonized .
You mustn’t be afraid if the first times , the burning depth and results aren’t ideal . Through time , your experience in burning will evolute and become perfect .
After the burning process , pick a good quality brush made by wire and brush your wood surface . Don’t be afraid to brush with enough power , and throw away all the carbon dust .
Underneath a very beautiful wood surface will unveil , having all the wood grain , highlighted .
You’ll be amazed from this result . The wood’s “waters” will be darker but so crystal clear in your eyesight . After this “magical” moment and after your “wooden soul’s” satisfaction , you should pass all the wooden surface with a very good quality , protecting oil and let the surface , “suck it ” .
Many woodworkers after the oil dry out , they do the burning process again , in order to “imprison” the oil inside the wood cells .
After the second time burning and brushing , they oil the surface for a second time and leave it to dry completely and “rest” .
This is the Shou Sugi Ban complete method . If you oil the surface , once a year constantly , your grand-grandchildren(!) won’t have weatherproof and protecting problems , either .
This is it . Your waterproof and not only , protection is complete .
What oil is used in Shou Sugi Ban ?
Many people , use penofin oil . Other tung oil . Others linseed oil . I suppose this changes according the country you leave and the local weather conditions , you have in your country .
What is Penofin oil ?
Penofin oil , is an oil – based wood sealer material and it’s used by many woodworkers .
Is Shou Sugi Ban waterproof ?
Yes , because the burning of our wood surface , makes the wood exterior cells smaller and harder and this is enough for mammoth durability . The correct burning of the wood , it makes it waterroof in a very high grade .
How long does Shou Sugi Ban lasts ?
If you want a measure of the wood’s durability using this Japanese technique , i say to you , that the “under pressure” impregnated wood has a life time at around 20 – 40 – 60 years , and the Shou Sugi Ban wood has a lifetime of centuries !!!!
In Japan , 200 years + (!) temples exist till nowdays having in their roofs , unharmed wood , protected by this ancient method .
If you use a good finishing and protecting oil , regularly you won’t have any problem , for many many years .
Keep Woodworking .
