Wooden planters require coating

By Shell Busey

Aug. 28, 2008

Q. We are considering building a wooden planter box to grow vegetables using pressure treated lumber. However, we are concerned about the chemicals leaching from the wood into the soil and ultimately into our vegetables. Do you recommend using pressure-treated lumber for this project? If so, what do we do to ensure the chemicals from the wood do not leach into our soil and vegetables?

A. Pressure-treated planter boxes should be coated on the inside when planting vegetables. Mix up three tablespoons of Lader’s Copper Spray (powered hydrated copper) into one pint of raw linseed oil. Apply it with a brush on the inside of your garden planter.   

Q. I laid down Ceramic tile over our exposed aggregate outdoor patio. These lasted about five years. Now after the winter many of these tiles are lifting and some sound hollow underneath them. I have taken up the loose tiles and plan to remove and replace all of them. My question is, how can I remove the thin set left on the exposed aggregate concrete? My second question is what process would you recommend to prepare the surface to create a smooth finish before reapplying tiles?

A. Your question regarding the de-lamination of tile is a common do-it-yourself problem in exterior applications. This is due to environmental stresses, such as moisture exposure and freezing. For exterior ceramic tile-setting the correct process should have been as follows:   

1) Clean the concrete with my Shell Busey Home Cleaning Formula.

2) Apply an acrylic concrete adhesive over the entire exposed aggregate surface (not in direct sun).

3) Next, apply a thin coat of bonded topping mix or top-n-bond to level the surface.

4) I would suggest using the Schluter-DITRA system for exterior tile applications. More information on installing this system is available by going to Ames Tile and Stone’s website at www.amestile.com.

5) Set tiles into the exterior thin set over the Schluter-DITRA System.

6) Grout with epoxy exterior grout.

In preparation, consider renting a tile removal tool to save tiles for re-setting and chip off as much of the original thin set as possible.

Q. The previous owner of my home repainted one of the outside doors and obviously used the wrong type of paint. The door is metal and the new paint is flaking in many places. I would like to remove the paint and repaint the door? Unfortunately, I have no idea what type of paint was used.

A. Remove the door from its hinges and lay it flat on sawhorses in a dry warm place. Purchase the product Organic Stripper available at stores like Rona and Home Depot. Apply to the door with a synthetic brush and scrub with paint stripping pads. After removing the paint wash the entire surface well with the Shell Busey Home Cleaning Formula and rinse well with clear water. Allow to dry. Sand the door lightly and clean off any dust. Apply two coats of Cloverdale Paint’s Ecologic Acrylic Latex Semi Gloss paint. Choose a lighter paint color if the door gets a lot of direct sunlight. Allow 48 hours drying time between coats. Do not scratch the surface for 30 days after applying the second coat. Note: do not try testing the surface by scratching with your fingernails.