Railway sleepers

dexterwolf

What is the best thing to paint railway sleepers?. I don't want to use creosote.

Browntoa

you cannot buy creosote anymore anyway ?? you are looking at the mainstream Ronseal etc in a colour you want

Revocation of approvals for amateur creosote/coal tar creosote wood preservatives under the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR)

In 2003, action was taken to remove the approvals given under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) for the use of creosote and coal tar creosote wood preservatives by the general public.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) acted on behalf of the former Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) (now Department for Innovation & Skills) to implement, in part, European Commission Directive 2001/90/EC.

In summary:

• Since 30 April 2003 retailers can no longer sell creosote and coal tar creosote wood preservatives to the general public in Great Britain
• Since 30 June 2003 general public can no longer use creosote and coal tar creosote wood preservatives in Great Britain

Slowly_does_it..

Why do you want to paint them? they have stood up to an age of being un-treaded and having trains run over them, and I have seen un-treated sleeper tables that have been left outside and have not had any ill- effects!

Gloomendoom

I treated mine with Creocote which is a less toxic substitute for creosote (which is still readily available if you know where to look)

I'm not sure what Creocote is but I have my suspicions that it is just overpriced diesel with brown dye in it.

no1catman

I had about two dozen laid about two years ago, they have spots where the creosote oozes out!
But have used 'fence' coating e.g. Ronseal/Cuprinol and it gives it a better colour too!

cyclonebri1

I've used creocote, to all intents and purposes it seems the same as creosote, it looks like and smell like it, and is still hazardous to wildlife and plants etc.

Sleepers are available in many forms, creosoted hard and softwood, untreated tropical hardwood (best in my view) and others,

You should not have oozy creosoted sleepers in the garden if you have pets, kids or grow veg near them.

Nothing will paint over them if they are creosoted, a stain preservative as mentioned may disguise them

27col

Good idea to give them a severe jet wash. You will be amazed at what comes out.