This will give an even, smooth result without damaging the surface of the beam. A fine grade sandpaper and an electric sander should be used when sanding exposed beams. Once these are removed, the wood can be sanded to remove any remaining traces of the original finish. When using chemical strippers it is always important to use appropriate safety equipment and ventilate the area properly. Sanding should be avoided as the lead or lime in the dust produced can also be toxic. These can give off toxic fumes when heated, so blowtorches or heat guns should not be used. ‘Removing Paint From Old Buildings’, published by the Society for the Protection of Ancient buildings offers good advice for removal of very old finishing products.Īs noted earlier, many old paints contain lead, along with other harmful chemicals. Limewash (whitewash) can be removed using chemical poultices that bind with the limewash and allow it to be scraped off. If an old coating of paint is to be removed, a chemical paint stripper is usually recommended. Simply spray onto a cloth and rub onto the wood for a natural cleaning and disinfectant effect. Traditionally, a mix of two parts water to one of vinegar was used to clean oak and can be used if preferred. Sand blasting is not recommended as again this will roughen the surface of the wood and damage the finish. Many cleaning chemicals will damage the wood, so should be avoided. Soda blasting or chemical free blasting can be used to remove smoke staining or blackening from moisture or fungi. This will also allow dirt to grip the surface more easily in the future, making the situation worse. This will roughen the surface, damaging the appearance of the timber. Do not use a wire brush when cleaning up old beams. How to clean oak beams Step 1įirstly, brush the beam down with a fairly soft brush to remove any dust and loose dirt. Within a year new green oak beams will begin to dry and take on the same hue and in time will be indistinguishable. Although new additions will be obvious at first, there is no need to stain them to match the older timber. If the rot is extensive, the beam may need to be replaced. The source of the damp should be located and filled and if the wood is not rotten, drying naturally should suffice. Alternatively, if the beam is being painted, wood filler can be applied and sanded before painting to conceal the holes.įungus on the wood is evidence of a damp problem as fungal growth will not occur on dry oak. If the beam is being treated with beeswax, this can be worked into the holes to fill them. Woodworm larvae take three to five years to mature then leave the timber, never to return. Signs of woodworm in old oak beams are common, but as woodworm only lay eggs in freshly sawn sapwood, they will be long gone. Beam Renovation And Restoration Insect and fungal damage However the end result is well worth the time invested and done properly will not need repeating. Whether renovating old beams and trusses or decorating for cosmetic effect, the methods are simple, if time consuming. Prolonged contact with moisture can lead to blackening as water reacts with the tannins in the wood. Older treatments for colouring beams such as linseed oil can leave sticky deposits that trap dust and dirt. Oak beam fireplaces or those with an oak beam lintel can be discoloured by smoke and soot over time. These should be treated as quickly as possible, but thankfully are usually easy to remedy. Older buildings, especially those that have been left empty or poorly maintained could have problems with damp or insect infestation. As lead is toxic, especially to children, this should be removed as soon as possible. Many older paints, specifically those manufactured before 1978, contain lead that can be released as it decays. In older buildings with small windows, oak ceiling beams may have been painted to brighten a room without modern lighting. In an attempt to modernise their appearance, many were painted by previous homeowners to fit in with the rest of the décor. While oak beams are generally prized for their natural, rustic appearance, this was not always the case. There are usually two main reasons for treating old oak beams – renovation or cosmetic improvement.
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