When is the best time to stain/preserve ties/sleepers?
I have just manufactured a slew of ties in preparation for building some turnouts over the winter. Should I stain them and them preserve them with linseed oil now, before assembly, so I make sure that all of the surface of the tie is covered, or wait until after assembly, to assure a good glue bond during assembly?
They are rough cut via band saw, so they have plenty of “tooth.”