Water Based and Oil Based Stains - The Facts

In this video the "Wizard of Wood" Everett Abrams discusses the myths and falsehoods about oil and water based stains. Not all oil-based stains are penetrating and not all water-based stains are film forming. People perpetuating these stories are just not keeping up with technology or are slanting their facts to sell you something. There is NO perfect product but on this topic, here are the facts.

[@ranmangolf]

Can someone please just tell me what product to use?

[@jeffreythompson1196]

Yeah go to your local Pittsburgh Paint store (or equal) and tell them what you want to do.

[@MrLittle2020]

The question would be which water base stains are penetrating and are they semi or solids?

[@kwatts90]

I used Behr Premium water based and I really wish I had used an oil based stain. Major regrets. So much peeling I will probably have to pressure wash and stain. I’m pretty committed to the color though because it is on banisters and other areas like fences and other stairs and decks around my property so will probably just end up redoing…

[@troymorgan2401]

Holy Crap! You are the Einstein of woods, Stains and Applications. 👍 awesome video

[@reefjunkie9018]

Oil or water based for new decking ?

[@edgarhilton136]

Hey thanks a lot for making this video I appreciate all your knowledge straight to the point well explained in-depth video clear us up a lot of misconceptions

[@alisonkucic633]

What would you recommend for new construction pine board and batten untreated rough cut siding? My first thought was oil but after your video I'm thinking water. I'd like a semi transparent black to see some wood underneath. I'd also like a stain to leave some trim natural but tone down the yellow in the pine. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[@wizardofwood]

Thank you for the question. Whether using water or oil based products, the best are those that penetrate and then wear away. This way it takes a light cleaning and recoating for future maintenance. The biggest issue with rough cut siding is applying oils correctly. They should be applied by two wet-on-wet coats. The second coat must be applied while the first coat is still wet, if not sealers and stains will repel themselves. If a wet coat is applied over a dry coat then the oils sit on the surface, instead of “in” the wood. When this happens the wood stays sticky and the oils, which have starches, become a food source for organic growth. It will attract mold and mildew and turn black. When this happens the coating needs to be stripped off and can become a bigger issue. I have seen and done jobs where we needed to sand and Osborn brush the siding smoothing out the rough cut siding to remove remnants of the improperly applied coating. If applied correctly both oil and water based “penetrating” and not “film-forming” sealers and stains work very well.

[@alisonkucic633]

@@wizardofwood Thank you so much for your response and sharing your knowledge. This makes complete sense to me now.

[@gsr187t]

I did Cabot oil stain looked beautiful, but didn’t last long

[@anastasiav626]

Very useful video. Can you please do another on how to stain new wood to match stained in 1970 wood?

[@bigttoodles4232]

Great video about to docmy fresh cedar fence I installed myself here really beating around bush .have a house painter friend he recommended olympic maximum semi stain . Because I want to see the natural wood grain but protect from uv water . I do t want solid maybe some years later go solid .

[@soncld]

Once again. Good info and knowledge from you to us. Thanks.

[@bgt63]

All water based stain on a large surface like a timber frame is a massive pain in the ass. Any runs or spots will be diffi ukt to deal with and the water in the stain dries before you can deal with it. I will take an oil every time.

[@DRPEnterprises]

However technology is changing. Have you ever seen a penetrating water base stain? Whole different animal and works like an oil. We all have preferences and 20some years ago I would have said the same thing.

[@bgt63]

@@DRPEnterprises Im using Sansin SDF. Any surface runs at all become stain resistant half spots.....and water as a solvent dries too quickly leaving some spots sticky with colorant and some with little. With a working time so short, large pieces are pretty frustrating.

[@AlohaHoward-ui7df]

@@bgt63 Oil is also a solvent. I switched from oil to water base for our fence and ipe deck. It has lasted longer before refinishing and looks great without the problems you had. It's the paint quality that's important. Also, clean up is much easier and you don't have to deal with the horrible oil base smell.

[@icedteamama176]

Can you recommend a couple of penetrating oil and water based stains please? About to re-stain our deck which get a ton of afternoon sun. It’s about 9 yrs old and been stained (oil based) 3 times. Thank you!

[@wizardofwood]

@@icedteamama176 I use and recommend Messmer’s for oil based and Deck Restoration Plus for water based.

[@stephenwhite5444]

Great video! I've got a huge amount of cedar siding the previous owner painted. It's starting to peel and I'm going to start stripping it and was thinking of using a solid colored stain. Do you have any suggestions?? Thank You!

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

I am trying o avoid stripping my oak cabinets and refuse to paint them. I would like to get them back to the beautiful medium walnut that they were when new thirty years ago. What is your opinion of the gel stains out there and which one would you use if you were going to? Also how can I find out if the finish is water or oil? Thanks.

[@staceybutler7574]

I have already used Ready Seal brand several years ago on a new deck. Now it is time to redo it. I would like to deepen the color, can I switch to a waterborne product ? I live in a very humid area of the country and mild dew/ mold is a problem, does it matter oil vs. water base?

[@maryharris9823]

What is a good oil deck coverage for older wood.

[@DRPEnterprises]

The norm for most products is 150 square feet per gallon on the first coat. New wood, neglected, and older wood you should adjust to 125 or even 100 square feet per gallon.

[@MrJaxparadize]

Thank you for this info good sir!!!! Very helpful!

[@alanel6662]

How long is the wait before staining and sealing a brand new deck?

[@MrJaxparadize]

Depending on the stain, weather conditions. The stain should have instruction and time frames. For sealing, personally, I go with a poly uv resist and anti yellowing. Always have for the outside furniture. Works well. Apply it every so often as needed. Unless you do yellow pine... then forget the anti yellowing... lol!

[@brentbainter1869]

I have a play set that needs staining it has been done before but they didn’t leave a can behind. So I don’t know if it’s oil or acrylic. It’s a semi transparent and would like to stay with semi transparent. What shouldn’t I be using, what should I be using? Oil or acrylic? Which one works over the other.

[@Bleachsprayerr]

learning something new every video.

[@deadinternet66]

What's the best stain for a cedar fence in an arid climate like colorado? I'm looking at ReadySeal as it's pretty easy to get, is oil based and says it's penetrating.

[@stilb1te]

Brilliant advice.. Thank You.

[@wizardofwood]

@@stilb1te, thank you for watching!

[@mikejackson4981]

Can stain be removed from a fence?

[@wilkbor]

Thanks for the video. If the material doesn't specifically state if it is penetrating, should we assume it is a surface sealer?

[@MikeAndNary]

Can I apply a water seal over an oil based stain after a week or so?

[@wizardofwood]

Not a good idea. Most outdoor products are one-part products. You use them and the wood is protected. Two-part is more for interiors with the use of a stain and a clear coat. Some exceptions being exterior doors and boats. Using a clear coat over the stain on the deck will make future maintenance and coating a miserable task.

[@keneykkk]

I have an older weather cedar deck that required a few board replacements. I’ve cleaned and brighten the entire deck. I want to re-stain with a Cedar color stain but I want to add protection without have to use a paint like sold stain. Would a semi solid Cabot stain be alright to use or should I use more of a penetrating Cabot stain.

[@barryhunt5357]

Great Info!!!!

[@hfrt29]

same as wat is called denatured right?

[@thetrueking4535]

I had no idea. That you for the knowledge.

[@anthonygasso1043]

Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I’ll remember, involve me and I’ll learn! Too much lecture and not enough examples! What did he just said?

[@donaldsummers4831]

Not helpful. Still don't know which product to use.

[@Bluecollar711]

I need the best and the cheapest for the price so I can make money on a 50,000 square-foot deck on starting tomorrow that I just built last year

[@--PAINT-JOBUpstate]

Stain the board and THEN cut it to see penetration. Water won’t do much. Oil is way better.

[@wizardofwood]

Lumping all oil in one category is the first mistake, just as mentioned in the video. If you really think there are water based sealers and stains that don’t penetrate further than linseed oil, well… Too much old school thinking in this industry.

[@rotcod2886]

Go Phillies!

[@derrickbrooks9396]

Thanks buddy

[@barbarajansen4912]

Here’s another fact to add: there is no such thing as clear oil based sealer for decks. I bought the Behr Translucent oil deck and when I open the can and mixed it, it was baby poop yellow. GROSS!!! I brought it back and asked for CLEAR. I opened the can and it was LESS yellow so I went with it. After one coat, which dried in spotty places, it looked like a pack of dogs used my deck as the neighborhood fire hydrant! GROSS!! Again!! I called the Behr company and at least they were nice enough to say they will pay for my sander rental. (Not to mention that machine requires TWO people to lift it in and out of the car.) Working all day with it was like trying to raise the Titanic!! So, the lesson is: FORGET the oil base unless you WANT yellow. There’s no such thing as CLEAR. So I opted for Thompson’s Clear Sealer and I dipped a white strip of paper and it is the color of….WATER. Totally clear! I like a deck with the light natural wood color! And no added yellow so you must use WATER BASED deck sealer to get that look!! 😊

[@alvinelbert1010]

Definitely useless information. W❤ehy don't you identify brand names. obviously we want penetrating stains so it won't peel off. I looked at Lowes and none of the products stated they would peel off in a short period of time. I was supposed to learn that information in the 6 minutes you said the same thing over and over and over.

[@yorksta86]

Definitely a jack wagon

[@scott-uj2jz]

He gave you the tools to find the right product. Everyone's situation and climate are different.

[@zukewashere1539]

Lowe's is where I got mine, told it would take 2 gallons and it took 5 gallons one year and it started to peel. I even power washed it first Oil base, oil base, and more oil base 😅😅😅

[@zukewashere1539]

Water base stain sucks😮

[@wizardofwood]

Depends on the technology and product. Grouping all oils and all waters together is a mistake. Some oils are better than others just as the same with water bases. The industry and technology is changing and success in the industry is learning and adapting to the changes.

[@zukewashere1539]

@@wizardofwood water based suck

[@Gin0827]

Seems the water based stuff just encourages more product purchase and people do not like being forced into it especially with this economy.