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Marks on cedar?

mick182 | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 14, 2003 06:03am

I’m getting so sick of buying lumber with crayon?marker marks on the lumber. I picked up $600 of T&G cedar from the lumber yard this morning and every bundle I poped open, out of the six bds. per bundle at least 4 from every bundle had huge flourescent crayon or marker lines on them, not to mention the 50 staples shot all over the bundle to attach one little tag. Damn this pisses me off, I can deal with the bowed, crooked,checked, broken etc.. pieces, but these damn marks make me nuts, a perfectly good board with flourescent orange and purple marks all over. What the heck are all these markings for anyway? Does the manufacturer or the lumber yard do this? Anyway enough of my ranting, does anyone have a good way to get these marks out of the wood, they don’t seem to sand out and the cedar is very soft and sanding makes for noticeable areas. Figured you guys out there deal with this annoyance also, and might have some solutions. Thanks for letting me vent (ha!)

Mick

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Replies

  1. FastEddie1 | May 14, 2003 06:33am | #1

    Isn't it a grade mark from the mill?

    Instead of sandpaper, have you tried a wire brush wheel on a drill?

    Do it right, or do it twice.

  2. MisterT | May 14, 2003 12:42pm | #2

    Try Cleanwood

    Mr T

    Do not try this at home!

    I am an Experienced Professional!

    1. booch | May 14, 2003 02:18pm | #3

      "Try Cleanwood" you suggested.

      Is that a product? or is it a suggestion to return the marked up stock to the lumber yard.

      I'm just a urinated as Mick. I got wrapped in plastic cedat 1x6 T&G from Menards. every 3rd board has white chalk on it. Thankfully I can wipe it off with a sweaty hand but all the same who in the world thinks this is a good method to sort or grade lumber.

      Does the yard expect we are painting cedar? and sanding is out of the question. If you are using the smooth side rather than the rough sawn side you really cannot sand or wire brush it without ruining the material.

      I plan on returning what I get if it is marked up that way. That is unless there is a product that gets the sorting marks off of the boards.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

      1. MisterT | May 15, 2003 01:11am | #7

        Cleanwood should be available at any decent paint supplier.

        Basically it is a mix of potent solvents that will clean just about any thing off of bare wood.

        If you are at all averse to using nasty chemicals then don't read the label.

        just give it to some one who won't miss a few thousand brain cells and let them have at it.Mr T

        Do not try this at home!

        I am an Experienced Professional!

  3. User avater
    ProDek | May 14, 2003 05:10pm | #4

    Take it back where you got it and tell them to take out the marks or replace the wood.

    My lumber yard gave me all kinds of advise on how to take out the marks as have the guys here but why should we have to waste our time ?

    Like I need a bunch of "C's" all over my clear cedar to let me know they are clear cedar.

    I'd like to get a marking pen and write a big "D" on the forehead of the guy at the mill so he could know what a big "dummy" he is.  

    Bob

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    1. mick182 | May 15, 2003 04:57am | #8

      AMEN! Pro deck,

      I've had it with marked up wood from the lumber yard. Did they ever think of marking the "back" of the board?

      1. User avater
        ProDek | May 15, 2003 06:19am | #9

        On clear cedar-S4S (smooth 4 sides) there shouldn't be a mark anywhere, yet the mills find it nessasary to mark the lumber for the clueless.Bob

        "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

        1. River19 | May 15, 2003 04:33pm | #10

          I have dealt with the same thing before from our "local" lumber yard (actually a small chain) and brough back everyboard with a mark.  I was given a ton of attitude as I searched through the piles for the unmarked boards.

          Now someone remind me why I try to support the local yard?

          SJKnow a little about alot and alot about little.

  4. User avater
    goldhiller | May 14, 2003 05:27pm | #5

    Have you tried lacquer thinner or xylol?

    ]

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
  5. rebuilder | May 14, 2003 06:18pm | #6

    I would use a furniture grade wax remover if I couldn't talk the yard guys out of turning clear into #2 grade.

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