Wood preservation is a highly professional job. Due to the lack of professional equipment in remote areas of Tibet, special treatment technologies and efficient detection measures are needed to ensure the effects. Penetration and retention are two important parameters used to evaluate the preservative effects:retention can be acquired via calculation; penetration generally needs to be tested using instruments in the lab. The invention of the portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer enables work which used to be carried out in the laboratory to be completed on site. The instrument determines the penetration by detecting metal elements contained in a preservative; this method features fast detection and simple operation. This study could provide a reference for the quality control of wood anti-corrosion and insect-proof projects for Tibetan temples in remote areas.