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How to treat hardwood sleepers for making a kids sandpit?

I bought some hardwood sleepers to make my kids sandpit. But as I've been looking into painting it, it appears the sleepers from Bunnings are treated with CCA and shouldn't be used.

I hired a van to get them home so if possible, I'd like to use them. Is there any paint or treatment that can be used to make them safe?

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Comments

bazz235

As an aside, it would be good to update this tutorial with a warning to not use the sleepers available in store:

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/How-To/How-to-build-a-sandpit-with-foldable-cover/ba-p/67782

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/33730#Comment_33730

Hi @bazz235

Treated pine sleeper can be undercoated and painted by reguler acrylic paints after 28 days of weathering as a guide.

I recommend for the better under coat /sealer , any outdoor acrylic is good.

Zinsser 1L Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Undercoat Primer Sealer Stain Blocker

I/N: 1579690

$35.98

bazz235

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/79177#Comment_79177

That's great to hear. On other posts Bunnings workers were saying no CCA but if it's okay after a while then I can just keep the kids off it for a bit 👍

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/33730#Comment_33730

Hi @bazz235,

It sounds like you are planning on painting the sleepers, which is good. In the article, we are using treated Pine sleepers, and depending on your location, there should be options like the Sienna sleepers that are not CCA-treated. It would be my recommendation to use a non-CCA-treated sleeper for your project.

Let me tag @robchin for his thoughts.

Mitchell

bazz235

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/79185#Comment_79185

Thanks Mitch! Maybe the article needs to be a bit clearer about CCA.

Article:

2.4m H4 treated Pine sleepers 200 x 50mm

Bunnings listing:

200 x 50mm 2.4m Treated Pine Sleeper CCA H4

Also, Ozito links to the CCA variant on their tutorial:

https://www.ozito.com.au/diy-with-andy-candy/how-to-make-a-diy-folding-sandpit/

I'll await to hear if it's safe. Just annoying to get another van hire and dismantle this to take back and get new timber. But kids safety is first.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/103925#Comment_103925

Hi @bazz235,

Sorry, I didn't mention that. Of course, we'll take a look at the article and update it to ensure there is no confusion about the type of timber required. I'll also pass the feedback on to Ozito, too.

The main concern with CCA-treated sleepers is contact with their surface. By painting them, that contact is not possible. However, if the 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro 2.4m is available in your location, then that would be my preference.

I'll reach out via private message for more details.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/103925#Comment_103925

Hi @bazz235,

I've spoken to James, one of the managers at Bunnings Maroochydore, and he's more than happy to help resolve this situation. If you are able to wait until tomorrow, he'll organise a team member to drop off the correct sleepers to you. They will be the 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro 2.4m.

Many thanks for your patience, and I do apologise for this inconvenience.

Mitchell

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/119019#Comment_119019

Good and decent solution @MitchellMc

Maybe it is reasonable to have the CCA products labeled for safe use as many wont be aware probably this should be a manufactures warning label.

robchin

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128034#Comment_128034

Hi all.

Sorry for the late buy-in on this one. This can seem like a complicated area.

I think @MitchellMc is right when he mentions that there is different types of sleepers - treated sleepers. I work for Bunnings and we do sell sleepers that are CCA treated which are fine to use for some installations but not like this where there is potential for human skin contact. Normally our team members in stores will advise you if you ask them which sleepers to use.

In the other article that is referred to here, the sleepers shown are Sieanna treated sleepers, not CCA treated - hence no warning would be required. CCA treated wood is normally greenish in colour - which is as a result of the copper in the treatment.

Good also to know that Mitchell will follow up to ensure we get the wording and warnings on these things right. It needs to be easier for home handy people that don't have this level of knowledge. I would note that much of the content you see on Workshop is user generated so mistakes can be made or level of detail provided might not be as much as we would like. I know the Workshop team do appreciate feedback like this which alerts them to things that need to be tweaked.

Good luck @Jewellerrescue.

DC15

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/79185#Comment_79185

Hi @MitchellMc ,

I'm looking to paint the H4 Sienna sleepers so that they would last longer. To bypass the 28 day period for it to age, can I use Cabots Timber Prep to remove any stains and then paint it in a day or 2.

If Cabots timber prep isn't suitable for this, could you advise alternate options?

Thanks!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108163#Comment_108163

Hi @DC15,

Just so you know, those sleepers are adequately treated to go into the soil and last for many, many years. With above-ground use as a sandpit, they should be good for around 20 years. However, if you want to paint them, you certainly can. The 28 days is more for them to expel any sap they have in them as pine can tend to bleed sap through painted coatings, especially lighter colours.

Cleaning them with Timber Prep will strip some of their colouring out of them but won't really help with the sap issue. After using the Timber Prep it would be worth using an oil-based primer such as Dulux 1L White Prepcoat 1Step Oil Based Primer Sealer And Undercoat as that will give you the best chance of blocking this sap staining.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

DC15

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121347#Comment_121347

Thanks @MitchellMc !

Apologies, I'm new to this space and am unsure of the best way to go about this. Since Timber Prep would strip of the colouring and won't help with the sap issue, is waiting 28 days the best way to go about painting them.

I'm planning to use these sleepers to build garden beds for flowering plants. Since they'll be in contact with soil, was wondering if giving it a coat of paint would these sleepers last longer.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129614#Comment_129614

Hi @DC15,

You'll notice I've responded to your post Looking for front yard landscaping guidance where I've offered guidance on this topic.

Have a read and let me know what you think.

Jacob

DC15

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134835#Comment_134835

Thanks @JacobZ

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