A tree stump can add a rustic touch to your home, especially if it has a nice wood grain. You may come across a tree stump in the forest or have 1 cut at your local lumber yard and wonder how you can preserve it. Start by cleaning and sanding it so it appears smooth. You can then apply wood stabilizer and sealer to the stump so it does not crack, warp, or rot, leaving you with a beautiful, natural piece for your home.
Steps
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Wipe the top and bottom of the stump with a wet cloth. Start by cleaning off any dirt or surface debris on the stump with a cloth. Rub the wood grain in a gentle, circular motion on the top and bottom, where the stump has been cut. [1] X Research source
- Do not wipe the bark with the cloth, as this can cause the bark to flake or fall off.
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Remove any flaking wood or bark on the stump. Use your hands to gently pull off any wood that is flaking off of the stump, especially on areas with bark. Make sure you take off any twigs, bugs, or leaves on the stump.Advertisement
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Take off the bark if it appears dead or dry. Removing the bark is up to you, as you can keep it on if there is not a black ring between the bark and the wood, and if the bark does not appear too dry. Use a rotary hammer to remove the bark, sliding it from the top to the bottom of the stump. The bark should peel off easily, leaving you with just wood around the stump. [2] X Research source
- Leaving the bark on will give the stump a more rustic look. If you remove it, you will need to sand down the sides of the stump.
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Smooth the perimeter of the stump with a planer. A planer is a power tool with a flat head that helps to even out a surface. Run the planer around the top and bottom perimeters of the stump to remove any rough spots. Do this until the top and bottom edges of the stump are smooth to the touch. [3] X Research source
- Use a broom or cloth to wipe off any debris after you have finished smoothing the edges.
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Use 80-grit sandpaper on the top and bottom of the stump. Rub the sandpaper on the top of the stump in a circular motion, removing the top layer of wood. The sandpaper is also a great way to even out the top of the stump so the surface is level. Then, rub the sandpaper on the bottom of the stump, removing the top layer. [4] X Research source
- If you removed the bark around the stump, you will need to sand the sides of the stump as well. Sand the stump from top to bottom with the sandpaper to smooth the sides.
- Wear gloves when you use the sandpaper to protect your hands.
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Use an electric sander if the stump is very dirty or rough. The electric sander is a great way to smooth out the top and bottom of the stump quickly. Run it back and forth over the top and bottom of the stump, revealing the fresh wood underneath. [5] X Research source
- As you sand the stump, you should notice the rings in the wood being exposed on the top and bottom. This means you are exposing fresh wood.
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Wipe the stump with a damp, lint free cloth. Once you have finished sanding the stump, remove wood dust with a cloth. Give the top and bottom of the stump a good wipe so the wood appears clean and fresh. [6] X Research source
- If you sanded the sides of the stump, you should wipe this area down as well.
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Fill in cracks in the wood with wood filler. If the stump has any large or deep cracks that you do not want to keep, you can fill them with a wood filler like clear epoxy. Put tape on the sides and bottom of the stump, below the cracks, to prevent the epoxy from leaking out of the cracks. Then, drizzle the epoxy into the cracks to fill them. [7] X Research source
- Apply 1 layer of epoxy to fill the cracks and let it dry overnight.
- Wear gloves when you handle the epoxy, as it is a strong chemical.
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Get wood stabilizer at your local hardware store or online. Wood stabilizer comes as a liquid that you rub into wood. It contains ingredients that will prevent the wood from warping, cracking, or checking. [8] X Research source
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Rub 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer into the top of the stump. Start with a small amount of stabilizer and then add more as needed. Use a clean dry cloth to rub the stabilizer into the wood in a circular motion. Cover the entire top of the stump with the stabilizer, rubbing it into the wood grain. [9] X Research source
- The wood will absorb the stabilizer as you rub it in so you may need to pour on more to ensure the entire surface is covered.
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Cover the top of the stump in plastic and let it dry for 2-4 hours. Tie a plastic sheet or tarp over the top of the stump to allow the stabilizer to dry properly. [10] X Research source
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Apply 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer on the bottom of the stump with a cloth. Once the top of the stump has dried, flip the stump over and repeat the same steps on the bottom of the stump. Cover the bottom of the stump with the stabilizer, getting it right in the wood grain. [11] X Research source
- Once you have applied the stabilizer, cover the bottom of the stump with plastic and let it dry for 2-4 hours.
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Put at least 2 coats of stabilizer on the stump. To really seal the stump, apply at least 2 coats of stabilizer, letting the top and bottom of the stump dry for 2-4 hours between coats. [12] X Research source
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Apply sealer spray to the bark. To prevent bark and wood pieces from falling off the sides of the stump, seal the bark with a clear gloss finishing spray. Apply the spray around the sides of the stump from top to bottom. [13] X Research source
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Allow the sealer to dry overnight. Place the stump in a dry spot outside, such as in your garage or a work shed, and let it dry overnight. This will give the sealer time to set so the stump is ready for use. [14] X Research source
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Attach metal legs to the bottom of the stump, if desired. If you want to elevate the stump and use it as a side table, you may attach legs to the bottom using screws and a power drill. Get 3 thin metal legs, such as hairpin legs, and drill them into the bottom of the stump for a more polished look. [15] X Research source
- Alternatively, you can skip the legs and use the stump as a rustic side table.
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References
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vSKuDykqQ&feature=youtu.be&t=33
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/stumped-how-to-make-a-tree-stump-table/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vSKuDykqQ&feature=youtu.be&t=112
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
- ↑ http://www.17apart.com/2012/10/how-to-diy-stump-table.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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To preserve a tree stump, it needs to be cleaned, sanded, and filled with wood filler to prevent it from breaking down. First, use a wet cloth to wipe down the stump and remove any dirt or debris. Remove any bark that looks dead or dry using a rotary hammer. You can tell that the bark is dead if there is a black ring between the wood and the bark. Sand the stump next with a planer power tool until the edges of the stump are smooth to touch. After smoothing the stump, use sandpaper to remove the top layer of wood. When you notice rings appearing in the wood, stop sanding, as this means that you have reached fresh wood. After sanding the stump, fill in any large cracks with wood filler. Clear epoxy is an ideal product to use for this job. For more information about preserving a tree stump, like how to apply wood stabilizer, read on.
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- "Had to have a large, old (approximately 43 rings) ash tree removed due to storm damage, which left a perfectly smooth, undamaged stump at 24" high for decorations in the middle of a huge hasta bed. Thank you for directions for preserving the stump." ..." more
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