Blue 7- a wood-rot killer, now discontinued. ???

[hansp77]

In my restoration of my Van De Stadt Seahorse, one of my uncles, a carpenter and a sailor, had recomended a (Australian) product called Blue 7. This having been developed by the CSIRO (Australian scientific institute thingy) uses copper (sulphate I think) (and possibly Boron and or arsenic) to kill woodrot, fungus and mold (which also inhibits attacks by mites, ants, and possibly worms).

It is applied to wet timber and allowed to soak in and through, thoroughly killing any rot.

This product has since been rather silently discontinued, and or banned.
Probably for toxic reasons.

The thing is, that it works. Or at least so I have heard.

My issue was that the plans of restoration I was following relied upon the use of this product. When I could not find it, my plans seemed to be shot, untill my uncle managed to find some for me. While I have managed to procure enough for my job, (on order at least, so far so good), it does seem like the product is on the way out. None of the big wood and hardware chains I have contacted stock it anymore, and have not done so for around a year.
The only thing these stores seem to sell now are the standard epoxy wood preserving treatments, wich will soak in and preserve some wood, rather than soak through and kill rot.

Has anyone had experience witht this product (or anything like it)?

Also, is anyone aware of the issues surrounding its toxicity?

Attatched is a brief file about one of the blue 7 products, a gel and its usage.

[seven up]

your post was a while ago but...

i found on the internet a solution made with borax, boric acid and propylene glycol that is boiled lightly then sprayed or brushed onto wood.

supposedly this mixture will penetrate painted surfaces, too.

comparable to a rot killer and preventative for wood/log homes called "bora-care".

there are warnings about its use relating to letting it copletely dry out after treatment due to possible internal organ damage.

also i read comments that wood immersed in water like in a bilge would cause the treatment to leach away somewhat and be less effective. and another comment about wood "bugs" and such that hate it. i can did out the recipe if you'd like ??

[hansp77]

Seven up,
I have already replaced all my wood, and done the small amount of treating that was required with Blue7 on a couple of areas.
So at the moment I have no need- but hey---
post the recipe if you don't mind.

Someone else may have a need, as in this country at least, the blue7 product that I used is now discontinued and unavailable.
Probably something to do with that 'internal organ damage.'
Here, there is nothing on the market to replace it.
So your recipe may be just the trick.

[seven up]

hello hansp77,

the address is

http://www.alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/faq.html

it's in the list under woodrot

Al's Home Improvemet

my typing is leaves much to be desired.

maybe someone can use this recipe from Al's.

[marshmat]

Copper sulphate ain't too nasty.... the expensive algaecides used in swimming pools are really not much more than aqueous copper sulphate with a few thickeners to make it look high-tech. The CuSO4 alone is insanely cheap.