Compost Bays from Pallets

I got some heat-treated pallets for very cheap and constructed a 3-bay compost bin. I am just wondering what I could do to make it last longer?

I have it raised slightly off the ground with concrete blocks. I am wondering if I could stain the pallets with fence/shed water based stain? Or is this harmful potentially to plants that use the compost afterwards? I attached a picture of the ingredients

 

Hello As the stain is water-based, I shouldn't think that it will leach anything harmful into the compost. At least, not in any appreciable quantity. If you still have doubts, why not line the bays with old compost bags or bin-liners? Anything that prevents moisture or wood-eating insects like wood-lice from coming into contact with the wood will help.

 

You could use that, although i tend to find enough pallets for free to replace any that disintegrate after a few years.

I always line the pallets with a couple of layers of cardboard. And the bay is covered with plastic

 

As above. Export pallets are treated with insecticide at time of manufacture; and carry a fire brand to that effect. I once built cold frames using pallet and crate timber.I treated this with a blend of raw linseed oil* and paraffin. This gave fine protection for 5 seasons, and still in use .*bought from horse feed supply merchant-is zero rated so cheaper than paint stores !
Cover compost piles with old carpet rather than polysheet as it allows gasses to escape and no condensation to soak back.

 

I actually have a good bit of black landscape fabric around, will that do also? I am definitely going to apply the fence stain, I already have it on hand and would be great to not have to spend more money on it.

 

Landscape fabric would be designed to let water through, so it won't protect the wood like a solid plastic sheet material

 

I don't think you can do much to stop the wood degrading, the fence paint is mainly a decorative product.

Lining with polythene just traps moisture between the poly and the timber.

I'd just be prepared to replace in a few years when it gets passed its use by date.