Wooden Cabin - why does the wood have these grey patches? (With pics) 14 January at 6:04PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 14 replies 673 views

united4ever

First winter with a wooden cabin. Applied a couple of coats of Osmo Oil as advised. 

Are these grey bits in picture signs of weathering? Should I be worried? I can apply another coat or two in the spring but was hoping the two coats would last at least a couple of years.

united4ever

By the way, this is what I used to treat it as advised by wood cabin company:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Osmo-Protection-Oil-Extra-2-5L/dp/B0791DNFG9/ref=mp_s_a_1_14_mod_primary_new?crid=22QA5TTQOCHQT&keywords=osmo+uv+protection+oil+420+2+litres&qid=1673716210&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=osmo+uv+protection+oil+420+2+litres,aps,114&sr=8-14

jonnydeppiwish!

It’s mould - needs ventilation. Is this on the outside? If so, it may be from storage where it’s got damp.

united4ever

On the outside. 

Hmmm, it's a twin skin cabin with insulation.

You mean the wood got damp before it was assembled?

Thinking back it wasn't possible to treat it for a couple of days after installation due to wet weather. Is there anything I can do now?

MikeJXE

Do the grey bits rub off.

You need to remember wood was a living thing when it was a tree 

I would't worry about it wood can go through many processes 

united4ever

I will check tomorrow if it rubs off. Haven't touched it.

united4ever

Didnt rub off (at least with fingers). Maybe need a stiff brush.

Just worried about it rotting tbh. It's mainly this side since it bears the brunt of wind driven rain. You can see in the pic it is more the lower half since the roof overhang protects the upper half quite well. The white patches are at the top half, darker patches at the bottom - bottom half wet at time of picture.

Less than a year old so a bit disappointed.

Thinking of planting a shrub or two to the side which might help protect it from rain but would also mean it gets less sun.

Apodemus

The way the water is beading on the surface suggests that the oil is doing the job it was intended to do.  Does it still bead on the grey patches?  

united4ever

Doesn't seem to bead on the grey patches.

ashe

could it be a part that got missed or rubbed off? Can you lightly sand those patches and reapply a coat of the oil?

casper_gutman

united4ever said:

Thinking of planting a shrub or two to the side which might help protect it from rain but would also mean it gets less sun.

I wouldn't expect shelter to help the wood to last. It's more likely to block air from circulating and so prevent it from drying out. In my experience you get serious problems with wood not when it gets wet periodically but when it stays wet and never dries out.