Board Defense Borate Powder - 20 Lb. Pail

Surface Preparation
• Wood surface must be bare: free of dirt, wax, mill glaze and surface finishes.
• Remove all previous coatings by media blasting, sanding, chemical stripping and/or power washing. Surface discoloration from mold or mildew should be treated with Sashco’s CPR Log Cleaner & Brightener before applying Board Defense.
• Do not apply to frozen wood. Log (not air) temperature must be between 40̊ F and 90̊ F.
• While not required, it will help Board Defense to penetrate the wood if the wood is slightly damp to start with. If possible, spray down the home with a hose or lightly power wash prior to application.

Mixing Board Defense:
• Mix at the rate of 1 pound, or loosely packed quart, to 1 gallon of water. The Board Defense mixture requires only mild stirring before application. The mixture will be clear and water thin. With this mixture, all application methods described herein will yield a minimum retention level of 0.24 pounds per cubic foot boric acid equivalent to 1/2” depth.

Applying Board Defense:
1. Mix Board Defense (see above).
2. Wood must be clean and bare; free of dirt, wax, mill glaze, and surface finishes, and wood surface temperature above 40̊F.
3. Apply Board Defense with a pump sprayer at the rate of 1 mixed gallon per every 7–120 sq. ft of wood surface. Apply a second coat 4 to 24 hours later. Thoroughly soak cut ends, and apply to checks and cracks.
4. Coat the logs with a water-repellent finish after the Board Defense solution has thoroughly dried. Let the surface thoroughly dry and brush away any crystals that appear before staining. Use a moisture meter to verify that the log’s moisture content doesn’t exceed 19%.
Please Note: Treated wood must be protected from direct contact with moisture or the active ingredient may leach out. It’s best to wait at least 48 hours (in warm, dry weather; longer in cool, humid weather) after applying Board Defense to coat wood with a water-repellent finish.

Brushing or Spraying:
• Use a pump sprayer for even coverage. Spray until the wood is thoroughly saturated (wet to the point of slight runoff or drip).
• A brush or roller can be used for smaller areas where more precision is needed.
• For logs or sided structures : Spray from bottom up to avoid streaks.
• For remedial spots : Drill small angled holes and inject concentrated solution, or use as gel/injection in severe cases.
• For new construction : Treat framing, sill plates, and more before closing in walls.

Kerf-Flooding, Hole Flooding, and Spraying/ Brushing:
• Logs 9” in diameter and larger are often kerfed to control unwanted checking.
• When kerfing a log in the shape of a trough (with 3/8” wide chain saw to a depth of 3”), simply pour the Board Defense solution into the kerf. Fill the kerf at a rate of 15 to 20 lineal feet per mixed gallon. Let soak. It will take 1 to 2 days for the logs to absorb all the liquid. Protection may also be gained by pouring powdered Board Defense into the kerf (0.2 to 0.3 pounds per lineal foot).
• Pour water into the kerf to dissolve and carry the Board Defense into the wood. Brush or spray the exterior of the logs with more Board Defense after either of these methods as described above.

Dipping:
• Dip logs or lumber in Board Defense for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on log diameter. Let excess liquid drain back into the tank, dip again 24 hours later. Cover wood with a tarp or place in a shed for at least 48 hours prior to coating with a good exterior finish.

Clean Up:
• Use soap and water to clean equipment, skin, and clothing.

Additional Product Resources:
• Board Defense Safety Data Sheet
• Battle of the Borates Report