So my cheapy 30 liter Portuguese oak barrel continues to have an oozing problem between a couple of staves. I thought the initial swelling with water had tightened it up, it even went through a cider fermentation without a lot of problem. Then in the last day or so (the cider was still in it), it seemed to start oozing again, the outside of the barrel below was quite wet all over, as was the surface underneath.
What would make it start doing that again when the wood has been in constant contact with liquid?
Is there anything I can safely apply to the outside of the barrel to seal it up?
Brian