Preserving log caches

[+slukster]

I was curious as to what you would use to help preserve a real wood log that you cut a hole in to hide a cache? I imagine that if you don't use some sort of preservative it would eventually rot away. Thank you for your help.

[GOF and Bacall]

By the time it has rotted away all the locals will have already found it. Then you can archive it and start the cycle again with a new hide.

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

Most things you could do to it would turn it into something unnatural looking.

[+bittsen]

Any kind of wood oil, several coats, will help.

[4wheelin_fool]

I was curious as to what you would use to help preserve a real wood log that you cut a hole in to hide a cache? I imagine that if you don't use some sort of preservative it would eventually rot away. Thank you for your help.

That's exactly what happens. The one I had grew fungus due to being in a wet area. I would apply clear spray paint the next time.

[+In Need of Cache]

I wouldn't do anything.

I would leave it natural, that would improve camoflage.

 

If the log were to rot away or become damaged, going to replace the container or it's camoflage is simply part of the maintenance involved in cache ownership

[+StarBrand]

It depends. I have a cache at 10,800 foot in elevation.

 

I know the fallen tree it sits under has been there (in its current state) for at least 30 years - doesn't look like it fell more than a year or 2 ago. Cache has been there for about 7.5 years. Everything still looks the same.

 

My 2nd hide sits under a fallen tree at 3,500 foot elevation near a river and about 20% of the top of it has rotted away in the 8 years the cache has been out there. Was planted just weeks after it fell over.

 

I personally would never use a preservative of any kind.

[+slukster]

Thank you for all of your reply's.

[grub54891]

If the log is dry to start with how about giving it a couple coat's of thompson's water seal??

Work's great on my deck.It has to be re-sprayed or brushed on every couple years but if you are maintaining your cache it shouldn't be a problem.A gallon should last quite a few years if that's all you are using it on.Grub

[+briansnat]

I had one in a fake stump. As it rotted and the bark started falling off it looked even more realistic. Eventually it will rot away but by that time it has probably run its course anyway

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Natural is best. Rotting is even better.

 

Painting anything makes it look unnatural, in a natural setting.

[+bwmick]

cedar, has lots of property that helps it with longevity and smells nice too!

 

I think that treating the wood could only make the cache less natural and easier to find in that a fallen log that has moisture beaded up on it doesn't really fit with nature.

 

as others have said location will have as much to do with how well it lasts as waterproofing will.

 

bwmick