Skip the Pine Tar. Pine tar is a fantastic natural wood preservative. It's naturally anti microbial and helps prevent rot while still allowing the wood to breathe. It's been used for thousands of years for a reason! However, you shouldn't use pine tar on everything. It can remain tacky for weeks as it soaks in. It also darkens the wood, which isn't desirable for all applications. If you do use it, make sure it's warm enough to brush on. Heat it in warm water near a fire if it's too stiff. It can