how to make pine tar

How to Make Pine Tar for Woodworking and Outdoor Use?

Wood furniture is durable. But when moisture gets inside, it will start to rot. You can prevent it from happening by protecting it from fungi and other elements. One of the best substances to use for this purpose is pine tar. In this post, you’ll learn how to make pine tar as a wood preservative. 

How to Make Pine Tar and Use It on Your Wood Surface? 

Pine tar has natural fungicide and insect-repellent properties. It means that it can successfully ward off bugs and other insects. This is a popular product to prevent any wood from decay that many homeowners would want to use it because of its natural ingredients. It’s derived from the resin of pine trees and it is known for its ability to protect the wood from the elements and extend the wood’s lifespan. Pine tar is also used in a variety of other applications, including leather care, soap making, and even in traditional medicine. 

Materials You Need to Make Pine Tar 

  • Raw pine resin (collected from pine trees or purchased from Pine Tar World)
  • Charcoal or ash (from a wood fire or purchased)
  • A large metal pot or container
  • A cooking thermometer
  • Cheesecloth or a coffee filter
  • A glass jar or container for storing the finished pine tar

Instructions:

  • Collect raw pine resin. This can be done by cutting into the bark of a pine tree and allowing the resin to flow out and harden, or by purchasing raw pine resin.
  • Crush charcoal or ash into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a grinder.
  • Place the raw pine resin and the crushed charcoal or ash into a large metal pot or container.
  • Heat the pot or container over a low flame, stirring occasionally, until the pine resin has melted and combined with the charcoal or ash.
  • Use a cooking thermometer to monitor the temperature of the mixture. Pine tar should be heated to around 300°F (150°C) for the best results.
  • Once the mixture has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and strain it through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any impurities.
  • Pour the filtered pine tar into a glass jar or container and allow it to cool and solidify.

Your homemade pine tar is now ready to use! It can be applied to wood surfaces using a brush or cloth, and it will help to protect the wood from water, rot, and other environmental damage. It can also be used as a leather conditioner or in soap making, among other applications.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy to find a pine tree. If you want ready-made pine tar that you can use right away on the wood surface, then head over to Pine Tar World’s shop and browse our wood protection products. You don’t have to experiment on how to make pine tar. We offer a wide array of wood protection products. Visit here to know more.