Tar Products – Questions and Answers

Do You Sell to Private Individuals?

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Do You Want to Buy Pre-Painted Panels?

Contact our partner Svensk Trälackering www.svensktralackering.se who can offer pre-painted panels in all our different pigmented colors.

Do You Want to Buy Sample Cans?

If you’re wondering how the color looks, it’s a good idea to buy a sample can. You can purchase 100 ml sample cans of our pigmented tars in your physical paint store or online. Apply the sample to a test board once, place it outdoors in the sun, wait until it dries, then apply a second coat to half the board so you can see the difference between one and two coats

How Do I Open the Can?

Each “flange” on the nab lock must be folded out. There are tools for this, but it also works with, for example, a screwdriver. Imagine the lid from above, at each flange, place the screwdriver against the small edge of the flange and fold outward and upward. It’s important that the tabs are folded out completely, as there is a gasket that sits against the can that creates a suction that holds the lid in place. When all the tabs are out, pull the lid upward or from one side diagonally upward.

How is Wood Tar Produced?

Our wood tars are produced through dry distillation of wood in an oven, primarily pine.

What Colors are the Wood Tars Available in?

Auson has six pigmented wood tars that provide opaque matte, attractive colors. Newly added are six pigmented tar oils that provide a semi-opaque surface. We also have regular genuine wood tar and the slightly finer valley-burned wood tar, as well as many more tar mixtures without pigment

Do I Need to Add any Solvent?

All our pigmented wood tars are already pre-diluted and generally do not need further dilution for rough-sawn wood. For planed wood and if you want to spray the tar, we recommend an additional dilution with 10–20% balsam turpentine or ethanol for all pigmented tars. Tar vitriol, Unpigmented Pine Tar Oil & Pigmented Pine Tar Oils should not be diluted regardless of the wood surface.

Why are Wood Tars Such a Good Wood Protection?

Wood tar is a product extracted from coniferous wood that contains, among other things, a large proportion of resin and turpentine. By treating wood with Auson Wood Tar, you therefore add these natural substances that the tree itself uses against insect attacks and other damage. The wood also gets a natural impregnation that prevents moisture from penetrating and instead allows it to breathe. This helps prevent the wood from drying out and cracking.

In What Weather and Temperature Can I Paint with Wood Tar?

For optimal conditions when painting, you should plan the painting for early summer/summer or early autumn. Make sure the weather is expected to be stable and relatively sunny for the coming days. A heavy rain shower on a newly painted facade can, in the worst case, cause the paint to run off. Wood tar dries slowly and it takes a few days before the tar has formed a water-repellent protection. Be careful to cover details that should not be painted such as doors, windows, house foundation, paving, etc. Let the covering plastic remain for a few days after painting or until the tar has started to dry on the surface.

We recommend dry weather and a temperature preferably above 10 degrees Celsius. Then the tar products are easier to work with and penetrate the wood more easily. It is also possible to paint in colder weather, but the tar then becomes a bit thicker, harder to spread out, and dries more slowly. It is important that the wood is dry during treatment and that it does not rain or become damp before the tar has dried. You can paint in sunlight, but it is then important that the paint does not dry before you have finished the entire plank. The warmer the weather, the thinner and easier to work with the tar becomes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Painting the Wood before Installation or on Site?

If you’re painting loose timber, we recommend painting the first coat when the boards are on the ground. This reduces the risk of potential white streaks on the facade when the wood dries. Tar takes a long time to dry, so it can take time to paint twice if you choose to paint everything when the facade is up. This can be especially important to consider if you are, for example, renting scaffolding for painting. Painting should not be done indoors. Tar contains turpentine, which is a volatile solvent that should not be inhaled. Read more in our Safety Data Sheet.

Painting on Planed and Rough-Sawn Wood?

Our pigmented tars are already pre-diluted for use on regular rough-sawn surfaces. For planed surfaces and surfaces of harder wood species, you must dilute further by about 10-20% with balsam turpentine or ethanol. Keep in mind that the tar becomes thinner the warmer it is, so use only as much as needed to get good coverage without the tar starting to run. As planed wood is glossy, the tar may also look glossy for the first period

What Do I Need to Do before I Start Painting?

It is important that the surface is completely clean and dry. If it has been attacked by algae or mold of any kind, the surface must first be cleaned with algae or mold wash (e.g., Jape Grön-Fri and Prick-Fri). The surface must be dry before you start painting. Surfaces already treated with wood tar only need to be brushed clean of dirt and dust. On wood previously painted with distemper paint, you should use a wire brush to remove loose paint. Finish by brushing the entire surface with a soft brush or broom. Use a face mask. Stir thoroughly in the can before you start and several times during painting. The pigment quickly settles at the bottom of the can, especially for Tar Vitriol, which needs to be stirred more regularly than the other pigmented tars.

What Do I Need to Think about when Painting?

Painting with wood tar differs slightly from regular paints in terms of how you paint. With tar, you can paint even on a warm summer day; it then becomes a bit thinner and easier to spread out. Tar is both primer and topcoat in one. Use a good and wide brush – preferably 70-100 mm wide. Also avoid painting too thick layers. Too thick layers can give a so-called “snakeskin” on the surface after drying. Stir in the can before and during painting. Use protective gloves and paint only outdoors. Ensure good ventilation, otherwise use a protective mask. Read more in our Safety Data Sheet. Paint an entire wall at a time with the same batch.

How much Tar is Needed per Square Meter?

The coverage is between 5-8 square meters per liter for all our pigmented tars except for Tar Vitriol which has a coverage of between 6-10 square meters per liter. Our Genuine and Valley-burned Wood Tar has a coverage of about 2-4 square meters per liter. The coverage depends on the choice of wood species, whether the surface is planed or rough-sawn, if it’s a new or older facade. A dry and cracked facade absorbs the tar strongly so the consumption per square meter can be significantly higher than normal

How Quickly Do the Wood Tars Dry?

Trätjära är en ren naturprodukt som är relativt långsamtorkande. Torktid beror på hur tjockt man målat, vilket träslag som valts, ny eller äldre fasad, vädret under och efter målning. Därför kan man inte ge någon exakt tid när den är helt torr. Ytan börjar att kännas torrare efter några dagar samtidigt som tjärdoften börjar avta något. Därefter tar det några veckor och ibland upp till några månader innan ytan är helt torr. Torktiden är kortare för Tjärvitriol än för våra övriga pigmenterade tjäror.

How many Times should I Paint?

For new planed and pressure-treated wood that may have poorer penetration ability, we recommend either a thin layer of paint or waiting 1-2 years before treatment.

When you paint for the first time with our Tar products, we recommend two layers for best results, preferably during the same season. If it takes 1-2 years between the layers, the facade may need to be washed before you apply the second layer.

How Long Does the Paint Last?

We usually recommend that you paint again after 6-8 years depending on the direction. The tar lasts for a shorter time on the south and west sides compared to other sides. The reason why the time span is so large depends, among other things, on weather and wind, the quality of the wood surface, and where you live. Tar builds up layers successively and the more times you have painted, the longer the maintenance intervals become.

How Long Does the Tar Scent Last?

The slightly stronger tar scent subsides significantly already after a day or days as much of the turpentine in the tar disappears. Thereafter, more of the soft and smoky tar scent comes forward and it remains for a few months, then only to reappear for a day when it gets really warm again, but then very briefly. After a year or so, you have to put your nose against the facade to smell it.

Can I Repaint My House that Has Previously been Treated with Traditional Distemper Paint?

Absolutely, it is perfectly fine to paint over aged distemper paint with tar paint when it’s time to repaint. Our Red Tar contains similar pigments to traditional distemper paint. Just as red paint was mixed in ancient times, with tar and iron oxide from our Swedish mines. Remember to thoroughly clean the surface if it is dirty and has been attacked by mold, and sand away any grayed wood. The tar is not a pesticide and will not remove previously mold-attacked surfaces. Paint over with the same color as the distemper paint. Distemper paint should not be used as a “primer” on new wood to then be painted over with tar paint in the near future.

Can I Use Wood Tars on other Wood Materials than House Facades?

Yes, the paints are also suitable for planks, boathouses, piers, flower boxes, posts, fences, etc. Almost all wood that is not previously painted with modern paints and that stands outdoors. Tar should not be used indoors.

Do I Have to Use Stainless Steel Nails?

We recommend stainless steel nails for all colors except Dark Brown Tar and Black Tar.
Galvanized nails can be damaged by mechanical impact and start to corrode.

Can I Use any other Paint than Tar if I Change My Mind?

Yes, regular distemper paint works well. If the surface is several years old and has stopped “bleeding” in warm weather, you can also test paint with linseed oil paint or traditional solvent-based alkyd oil paint in a similar color. Test a small area to ensure the desired result. You cannot paint acrylic paint and water-based oil paint on wood tar.

Can the Paint be Tinted?

Our regular non-pigmented tars cannot be tinted in different colors. Roslagsmahogny can be pigmented in a regular tinting machine but it does not have as good color stability as more modern glazes. However, you can mix an already finished pigmented tar paint with another to get a different color, here you have to experiment yourself.

Can Tar Products Discolor other Materials?

Yes, spills on e.g. windows can be removed with balsam turpentine or ethanol. Other paint removers can also be used. Absorbent materials such as concrete etc. and stone pavings should be covered.

Will the Paint Chalk?

Our pigmented tars allow the wood to breathe, and instead of the paint starting to flake, the surface and pigment will slowly “chalk” and disappear. Pigmented tar works similarly to distemper paint but is more durable and has color pigments bound in tar instead of water.

Does Tar Mold and where Does the Mold Come from?

Pure tar contains no nutrients that allow mold to grow. There is also nothing in the tar that minimizes mold if it has already appeared. It is a natural process caused by variations in climate, the nature of the surfaces, the material in the surfaces, and a number of other factors that at certain times interact so that favorable conditions arise for the growth of mold and algae.

What Happens if the Paint Has Frozen During Storage?

Normally nothing happens to the tar. It can be stored in cold spaces

Is it Okay to Spray Paint the Tar?

If you want to spray paint, we can recommend Wagner’s smaller sprayers in the Control Pro series that are sold at various hardware stores, nozzles are included. For professionals, there are larger sprayers of the Wagner brand, for example Wagner SF 23 Pro, the nozzle HEA 411 (green) gives a good spray pattern and adequate paint flow. Regular hobby sprayers give a less good spray pattern. It’s good to brush afterwards with a brush, be careful that the paint doesn’t run. The final coat should always be done manually with a regular brush or roller

Painting Pallet Collars with Tar?

Wood tar is an excellent wood protection for all kinds of wooden structures, however, it is not food-approved. We recommend painting the outside and covering the inside with a suitable cloth.

Priming End Grain?

Use tar only for end grain. End grain absorbs about 30 times more than regular wood surfaces, so it is important that this part of the wood is made water-repellent. You can thin the tar slightly with balsam turpentine or ethanol so that it penetrates better into the end grain, or use our Pine Tar Oil, which is a thin tar mixture perfect for end grain.

Can You Paint on other Previously Painted Surfaces?

It is possible to paint on a previously glazed surface if it is old and has started to flake. Just keep in mind that the tar cannot penetrate where there is a previously painted surface. It’s good to know that our tar paints are not fully opaque and that another color or flaked surface may be visible through. We therefore recommend that you do a test on a smaller area first before painting over.

Is it Possible to Paint over Ferrous Sulfate with Tar Paint, and What is the Difference Compared to Tar Vitriol?

It is fine to paint over Ferrous Sulfate as it is, but it is preferable to use our covering tar paints. Tar Vitriol can also work, but it will not be as gray and attractive as if you paint on completely new paneling. The difference between these products is that the tar protects and strengthens the facade without aging it.

Is it Possible to Paint over an Existing Tar Paint with another Tar Paint?

Our tar paints are not fully covering. The color that covers best is Black Tar. However, it may be necessary to apply several coats over a longer period for good coverage.

Is it Possible to Paint on Oak, Larch, and other Hard Woods?

It is possible to paint tar on hard woods, but it is best to wait a few years until the facade has acquired a little surface so that the tar can penetrate better.

Is it Possible to Paint on Glulam?

Glulam is compact and has a less finely sawn surface, i.e., halfway between a sawn and planed surface, which means that the product does not penetrate in the same way as on a traditional sawn surface.

All tar paints can be used on glulam, but you should expect a longer drying time for all pigmented tars except Tar Vitriol, as it is a thinner product. The main rule is that the tar paint (except Tar Vitriol) should be diluted so much that it can easily be brushed out in thin layers. Too thick layers of paint can, over time, cause cracking on the surface.

Pressure-treated Wood, Can I Use Tar?

Yes, treat as a planed surface, preferably let the surface stand for a year or a few years until the first treatment is done.

Painting with Pigmented Tar, Tar Vitriol?

Tar Vitriol is ready to be used as it is; no dilution should be done. It turns brown/gray on the first coat. On the second coat, it turns even grayer. It is then a reaction with the sun that makes it light gray. Where the sun does not reach, e.g., north side, under eaves and ridge, it does not become as gray. Stir carefully at the bottom of the can before painting as the pigment sinks; also stir in the can during painting about every 5 minutes. We recommend two coats on new wood. Drying time is anything from a few days up to several weeks. The color remains on the surface.

If there are different batch numbers on the cans, check that the color is uniform, otherwise mix the cans together.

6-10 sq m per liter.

Paint with pigmented tar, Red tar, Black tar, Black-brown tar, Brown tar, Green tar?

These are pre-diluted and ready to use on rough-sawn timber. For planed timber, dilute according to the instructions on the can. Apply in thin layers to avoid cracking. Stir thoroughly at the bottom of the can before painting, and stir occasionally during painting. We recommend two coats on new timber. Drying time ranges from a few days to several weeks. The color remains on the surface.

If there are different batch numbers on the cans, check that the color is uniform, otherwise mix the cans together.

5-8 sq m per liter

Paint with Non-Pigmented Tars, Genuine Wood Tar and Kiln-burned Wood Tar?

Can be heated to 50-70 degrees or diluted with about 20% balsam turpentine or ethanol for easier penetration into the wood. An old wood treatment recipe is one-third each of linseed oil, turpentine, and tar (known as Roslagen mahogany). Can be used on wooden facades, wooden roofs, churches, boats, piers, fences, etc. It also has antiseptic properties and can be used for veterinary purposes such as horse hooves, etc. The tars become dark brown when applied; since they do not contain any pigment, this color fades away in the sun, but the tar continues to do its job in the wood. We recommend two coats on new timber. Drying time ranges from a few days to several weeks.

Paint with Roslag Mahogany?

It is a mixture of tar, linseed oil, and turpentine. It is more fluid and dries faster than regular tar. Apply thinly, brush twice, and let dry in between. Used on wooden structures, docks, boats, etc. The tar becomes dark brown upon application, and since it contains no pigment, this color fades away by the sun, but the tar continues to do its job in the wood. Roslag mahogany contains linseed oil, which under unfavorable conditions can lead to mold growth. Therefore, a thorough mold wash of the surface must always be done before painting.

Paint with Pine Tar Oil?

Used on wooden structures where you want a tar that easily penetrates the substrate, such as facades, deck floors, decking, docks, etc. The tar is brown upon application, and since it contains no pigment, this color gradually fades away by the sun. This can take a few months up to a year depending on when the treatment is done. Pine Tar Oil penetrates the wood, making the surface water-repellent and minimizing cracking. The drying time is anywhere from a few days up to several weeks.

My House is Primed from the Factory, Can I Use Tar?

We recommend using our tar paints on untreated wood and therefore cannot guarantee the result. The tar must be able to soak into the wood without being stopped along the way, and the paints are not fully opaque.

Can I Paint My Wooden Roof?

Yes, that’s fine, but you should expect more frequent repainting intervals initially as a wooden roof is naturally more exposed than a facade. It’s advisable to paint more often in the beginning so that the tar can build up a protective layer on the roof.