Using Wood Preservatives
Since there is little preparation needed for timber preservative, you can apply it quickly and easily. This is one of the simplest DIY jobs, as well as one of the most important, if you do not want external woodwork to rot in a few years.
A highly polished finish is not necessary, regardless of whether the wood is rough or polished. You can easily apply the majority of wood preservatives to a very large surface area, using wide or large brushes to speed up the process.
The preservatives used with timber are relatively thin, and tend to drip and run, so wearing some form of protective clothing is necessary, along with goggles and gloves, depending on the instructions on the tin.
It is important to use dust sheets to protect flower beds and grass for the same reason, because the chemicals contained in the preservative can damage plants.
As with all jobs of this kind, before beginning work, the surface of the wood needs a good cleaning to get rid of all the debris, dirt, and cobwebs that have accumulated over the years. Dead plant material and lichen can be a particular problem, but a stiff brush can effectively remove these and other blemishes.
You should liberally apply the preservative so it saturates the wood as much as possible. The preservative will penetrate deep into the wood, which will soak up most drips, so you typically do not need to be too fussy or precise.
