Painting a Wooden Ladder

Prisoner6409

Would it be a bad idea to paint a wooden ladder(approx 30 foot) with yacht varnish. The ladder is pretty old and it’s beginning to show it, I do not know if it has been painted before, I think not. My concern is that yatch varnish may make the rungs slippery in the wet weather but I am not sure. Any advice on the treatment of the ladder would appreciated as it is a good height for doing the gutters etc.

anacc

A decking oil would probably be a better option than a varnish.

Calahonda52

anacc wrote: »

A decking oil would probably be a better option than a varnish.

+1 or something from the sadolins breathable range

my3cents

Linseed oil is the traditional treatment for wooden ladders.

jack of all

I think my3cent's suggestion is best, boiled linseed oil (perhaps thinned with a little white spirit).

I believe it's considered bad practice to paint a timber ladder because a paint coating could hide or conceal defects or damage which would make a ladder unsafe to use.

Stoner

jack of all wrote:

I believe it's considered bad practice to paint a timber ladder because a paint coating could hide or conceal defects or damage which would make a ladder unsafe to use.

Correct. Painted wooden ladders are banned on many sites