I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.
I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
I would like to hear from them.
Thanks,
Chuck
"Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
> columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
> the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.
>
> I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
> my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
> humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
> readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
> high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
> because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
> more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
> dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
> I would like to hear from them.
Most kiln dried wood moisture content rules are "no more than 19%". So at
17-18%, your wood would be considered kiln dried.
SH
"Slowhand" <I'm@work> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
>> columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
>> the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.
>>
>> I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
>> my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
>> humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
>> readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
>> high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
>> because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
>> more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
>> dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
>> I would like to hear from them.
>
> Most kiln dried wood moisture content rules are "no more than 19%". So at
> 17-18%, your wood would be considered kiln dried.
> SH
>
>
Well, it may have been much less when it left the kiln, but since it picks
up moisture from the humid air, it will change.
17% equates to ~82% Relative Humidity.
Chuck wrote:
> I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
> columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
> the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.
Western Red Cedar can be very nasty stuff.
Make sure you wear a good dust mask and watch out for splinters.
If you pick up one, pull it as fast as possible.
Lew