Hello there,
I have measured and cut some old railway sleepers to use as my fireplace surround. The pieces have all been fitted and really look the part.
However, as I half expected, they stink of creosote.
More to lock in the smell than for any decorative reason, I have given the sleepers a light sanding and tested an off-cut with some clear varnish. I had planned on giving them a few coats. Unfortunately, the varnish has dried very dark, but worse still, foam gathered in the grooves and this foam has dried solid into a silvery grey stain.
Any ideas on what I should do to (a) rid the sleepers of that creosote smell, while (b) not compromising the look of the bare wood too much?
Thanks a lot.
I have measured and cut some old railway sleepers to use as my fireplace surround. The pieces have all been fitted and really look the part.
However, as I half expected, they stink of creosote.
More to lock in the smell than for any decorative reason, I have given the sleepers a light sanding and tested an off-cut with some clear varnish. I had planned on giving them a few coats. Unfortunately, the varnish has dried very dark, but worse still, foam gathered in the grooves and this foam has dried solid into a silvery grey stain.
Any ideas on what I should do to (a) rid the sleepers of that creosote smell, while (b) not compromising the look of the bare wood too much?
Thanks a lot.