Well, yes, "penetrating" can be a provocative word...

I have used it, with great concern about what it would do to the live
tissue. The first tree was an apple that had a naturally rotted &
hollowed trunk. Gorgeous base, but the wood was rotted enough that I
could carve it with my fingers. The tree is doing fine, but I gave it
more epoxy a few years later, when it seemed that the rotted wood was
again, or still, porous.

I have also used it on two very precious collected junipers with
excellent results (earlier I said one juniper, but I now remember a
second one).

Perhaps the epoxy would damage live tissue, but just didn't get that
far.

I have soaked dry but unrotted juniper sticks in the epoxy. After
curing, I cut them to find the penetration was minimal. On my junipers,
the epoxy firmed up weak & porous wood that wouldn't have lasted much
longer without it.

As I said earlier in this thread: For me, the question that remains is,
what will these trees be like in 10 - 20 - 50 years? Will they rot out
under all the epoxy (or other wood hardener) & shed the plasticized
wood?

There are uncertainties, but it seems to be my best option for some
trees.
jim
On Sep 13, 2005, at 1:28 PM, wrote:

*
*
Jim:* Have you already used it?* (I did not see the earlier part of
this thread?)* If not, I would be certain that this does not seep
through wood into live tissue.* Experimentation might be the way to go
. . . with less than precious material.
*
The word "penetrating"*concerns me.
*
Cordially,
*
Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob*
*
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Gremel
To:
Sent: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:01:26 -0700
Subject: [IBC] Lime Sulfur


On Sep 13, 2005, at 5:38 AM, Isom, Jeff ((EM, PTL)) wrote:*
*
Do you happen to have a brand (or product) name for this? I have a*
collected Arborvitae that needs it!*
*
Thanks,*
*
Jeff Isom*
*
I bought my epoxy from the manufacturer: Smith & Co. in Richmond, CA,
(510) 237-6842.*
*
Their product is called Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer. The label
states:*
*
"This extremely effective sealer is used in the treatment of dry rot
in wood, the sealing of concrete, and as a consolidant for porous
materials.*
*
It can ensure adhesion of a wide variety of varnishes, paints,
adhesives and caulkings.*
*
It consists of a tough, flexible epoxy resin system in a solvent blend
which dissolves the natural saps, oils and moisture of wood and
develops a chemical bond with the wood fibers themselves...*
*
... Pot life of the regular formula is 8 hours at 72 deg. F, with full
chemical cure in 7 days at 72 deg. F.*
*
Pot life of the fast formula is 2 hours at 72 deg. F, with full
chemical cure in 2 days at 72 deg. F."*
*
As of 9/13/05, their price for a 2 quart kit is about $39. + tax. The
have 2 pint kits & 2 gallon kits as well. It is made in a 2 hour cure
version & an 8 hour cure version. Either would be fine for bonsai.*
*
Smith & Co. will ship, but they recommend checking with their
distributor at www.star-distributing.com - Star takes credit cards,
has an online store and also has retail outlets in some East Coast
cities.*
*
I have seen penetrating epoxy is at Home Depot & I am expect that it
is available at boat shops everywhere at boat shops - a Google search
for "penetrating epoxy" gave 860 references.*
*
Jim*
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