What is Pine Tar – What is it Used for?

Sticky, smoky, and surprisingly sophisticated—pine tar is one of those old-world substances that refuses to become obsolete.

In a world obsessed with new formulas and fast fixes, pine tar stands out as a reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions are the ones that have already stood the test of time.

So, what exactly is pine tar, and why does it still matter today? Let’s break it down.

What is Pine Tar?

Pine tar is a thick, dark, sticky liquid made by slowly heating pine wood in a low-oxygen environment—a process known as destructive distillation.

It’s a kind of dark, blackish-brown viscous liquid produced by burning the stumps and roots of pine trees that have been cut down.

This method extracts natural resins, oils, and organic compounds from the wood, resulting in a substance with a strong smoky aroma and powerful preservative properties.

At a chemical level, pine tar contains phenols, terpenes, and resin acids, which explain its antimicrobial behavior and distinctive smell.

Because it’s derived from natural pine wood rather than petroleum, pine tar is often viewed as a more traditional and eco-friendly material—though its potency means it must still be used correctly.

It does take a special kiln to extract the pine tar from the wood fully. But the substance is still in use today on wooden exteriors where paint is not desired.

5 Pine Tar Uses and Applications

Long before synthetic coatings, polymer sealants, and chemical preservatives became the norm, pine tar was already proving its worth in some of the harshest environments imaginable.

What makes pine tar stand out isn’t just its age-old reputation—it’s its versatility.

It comfortably straddles the line between industrial workhorse and natural solution, trusted by shipbuilders, woodworkers, farmers, athletes, and even dermatologists.

Below are the five most important and enduring uses of pine tar, explained with both practicality and performance in mind.

1. Wood Preservation

Pine tar is best known as a natural wood preservative, and for good reason. It penetrates deep into wood fibers, creating a hydrophobic (water-repelling) barrier while still allowing the wood to breathe.

Unlike modern paints or varnishes that form a rigid surface film, pine tar reduces moisture absorption without trapping water inside—one of the main causes of rot, cracking, and fungal growth.

Its natural UV resistance also slows down weathering, making it ideal for exterior wood exposed to sun, rain, and temperature swings.

2. Sealant for Marine and Construction Use

Historically indispensable in maritime applications, pine tar was widely used to seal wooden ships, rigging, docks, and roofing materials.

Its viscous consistency fills gaps and joints, while its antimicrobial properties help resist decay in damp environments.

Even today, pine tar remains relevant for traditional roofing, log construction, and heritage restoration projects—especially where flexibility and long-term durability matter more than a glossy finish.

3. Skin Treatment and Dermatological Use

Pine tar’s keratolytic and anti-inflammatory properties have earned it a long-standing place in dermatology. It has been traditionally used to help manage conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, and rosacea.

The phenolic compounds in pine tar help slow excessive skin cell turnover, reduce itching, and suppress bacterial and fungal activity.

This explains why pine tar still appears in medicated soaps, shampoos, and ointments—even in modern formulations.

4. Mild Antiseptic and Protective Agent

Thanks to its natural phenols and resins, pine tar exhibits mild antiseptic and antimicrobial behavior.

While it’s not a replacement for medical-grade disinfectants, it has historically been used to protect minor cuts, animal hooves, and agricultural tools from microbial growth.

This dual role—protective yet breathable—adds to its appeal in both human and veterinary applications.

5. Insect Repellent and Pest Deterrent

Another underrated benefit of pine tar is its ability to repel insects. Its strong odor and sticky resin content deter termites, wood bees, ants, and other pests that commonly attack untreated wood.

When applied to fence posts, underground wooden supports, or barn structures, pine tar provides a passive but effective line of defense—without relying on toxic pesticides.

---

Practical Advantages of Pine Tar for Exterior Wood

Pine tar’s appeal goes beyond protection—it’s also remarkably low-maintenance.

When used as a wood finish, it behaves more like a penetrating stain than a surface coating. This means it won’t bubble, crack, or peel the way paint does.

A commonly used blend—50% pine tar mixed with 50% purified raw linseed oil—can cover approximately 600 square feet, depending on wood porosity.

Even better, reapplication is typically needed only once every 5 to 10 years, depending on climate exposure and wood quality.

This makes pine tar an excellent choice for:

• Barns and outbuildings
• Decks, porches, and fences
• Underground wooden posts
• Wide plank siding, fence posts, and similar exterior structures

Can Pine Tar Be Used on Pressure-Treated Wood?

Pine tar can be used on pressure-treated wood, but it’s not necessary because the treated wood already has a preservative in it for the required protection.

However, if you really want to, it can be added as an extra layer of protection to the wood.

That said, Pine Tar works as one of the best wood preservatives for untreated wood. It’s, in fact, an excellent substitute for pressure-treated timber where the latter is unavailable.

Pine Tar fluid particularly works great for preserving the wood used underground. Mix it with a suitable oil medium, and it will deeply penetrate the wood to increase its durability.

---

Things to Remember Before Using Pine Tar for Wood Treatment

Although pine tar is applied to the surface as you apply the paint – it’s not actually the paint. It’s instead an excellent wood treatment product.

This means you will need to consider some crucial aspects before purchasing pine tar for your next project and painting with it.

1- Only Exterior Wood

Swedish pine tar is only good to use for exterior applications such as fences, fence posts, siding, etc. Applying it to furniture or other items that sit inside is arguably not the best use of the product.

Also, keep in mind that pine tar should only be used on bare wooden surfaces that have not been coated with petrochemicals, such as solvents, paints, epoxy resins, pesticides, etc.

If you try to do so, you will not be coating the wood with pine tar but rather with the barrier of petrochemicals, which will not work. This barrier will mean the pine tar sits on the surface and does not penetrate the wood.

2- Dilute & Warm It Up

Pine tar is quite viscous, so it must be diluted and warmed before it can be applied. The best method is to add 20% gum turpentine and warm it to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Then you can start applying it to a wood surface.

You can also mix it 50/50 with pure raw linseed oil if you want the pine tar to dry appropriately fast. Depending on the wood surface, project requirement, and climatic conditions, you may change the ratio of the mixture if you want.

3- Use a Wide Brush

Generally speaking, a 70 to 100 mm wide brush is the best type of paintbrush to use when applying pine tar. It will help even out the application and let the mixture be absorbed by the wood rather quickly.

4- Mix It Properly

If you have kept cans of pine tar in storage for some time, the pigment will probably have sunk to the bottom. This means mixing it thoroughly while diluting it to get the right effect is important before you apply it.

Also, if you want to keep the color uniform, stir the can every so often to ensure that the pine tar is even during the entire project.

5- Different Looks

The appearance of pine tar can vary significantly depending on how it is mixed and the type of wood to which it is applied.

In addition, the species of pine from which the tar is made can determine its appearance. You may get a light or dark appearance, but it should be consistent if you paint it all in one coat at one time.

Also, remember that if the wood has too much moisture, the pine tar will simply sit on the surface. So, be sure to fully dry the wood before applying the pine tar.

Pine Tar Alternatives – The Best Wood Treatment Substitutes?

Traditional pine tar production is not environmentally friendly. The process involves destructive distillation of pine wood, which leads to tree loss and generates significant waste.

Conventional pine tar may also contain hazardous compounds such as benzene and phenols, giving it a strong odor and potential toxicity if mishandled.

Additionally, the refining stage produces substantial industrial by-products (the “three wastes”: waste gas, waste water, and solid residue), making pollution control a serious concern.

While a new patented method reportedly produces non-toxic, odorless, and low-cost pine tar, the specific production process is not publicly available at this time, limiting verification and large-scale adoption.

This means that pine tar is not so popular and readily available as of today. Based on your location or climate, you may not be able to find the genuine product.

If that’s the case, some of the best substitutes for pine tar can be used to finish your wood surfaces.

These include:

• Eco Wood Treatment
• Lifetime Wood Treatment
• Timber Pro UV transparent finish

All these products penetrate deep into the wood to make it water-resistant while protecting it from rot, insects, and water damage. Some of them also don’t change the color of the wood as pine tar does.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, pine tar is an excellent wood preservative that can easily replace pressure-treated wood.

Durable, breathable, insect-resistant, and refreshingly honest, it’s proof that some materials don’t need reinventing—just understanding.

However, to make it work, you need to mix it with the right oil and apply it correctly to ensure it penetrates the wood deeply.