Lee from Sequim Wa writes
I have tried using Bora-care on some beams of Southern Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana), which is one of the densest, heaviest hardwoods in the world. The beams are fairly recently cut and have a fairly high moisture content, and are 4-1/2" by 3-1/2". I am applying a 1:1 mixture. It doesn't look like the Boracare is penetrating or absorbing into the timber - it seems to stay on the surface for a long time, and then a thick white coating is left, which indicates to me that the solution has not absorbed, but instead eventually evaporated, and the borate has been left on the surface instead of being inside the wood. Can you give me any advice on how to help the Bora-care penetrate further, and a way to test the penetration (for example, by adding some kind of dye that will absorb with the product, and then I can cut a test piece in two) ? Thank you
We have consulted with the Boracare manufacrurer and think that some probably went in. With oak it’s best to do a 5:1 or the result is what will occur as described. The manufacturer recommends that you just wipe off the excess.
Answer last updated on: 12/17/2018
