Wooden pegs can be tarred by dipping or brushing their exposed ends with a light pine tar finish, especially when they will be used outdoors in fences, tents, gardens, or rustic structures.
Wooden pegs are small, simple, and very suitable for tar. They have exposed end grain, touch wet ground, and are often treated as expendable. Tar slows water entry and gives them a dark traditional finish that suits tents, garden markers, rustic joinery, and reenactment gear.
The pegs should be dry before treatment. Brush the tar onto the sides and ends, or dip only the lower part if that is the area most exposed to damp. Wipe off excess so the peg does not become slippery or sticky in the hand. A thin finish is enough because the peg is small and can easily be overcoated.
Let tarred pegs air before packing them into a bag or box. Fresh tar can stain canvas, rope, paper labels, and pale timber. Once settled, the pegs can be maintained by re-rubbing the ends when they look dry or worn.