Oil Based Stains: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by chuckm

Why use Defy Water Based Stains

For many years oil based stains have been used for wood protection. Homeowners and professionals alike have always relied on oil based stains for many exterior wood surface projects. Typically, oil based stains are formulated to penetrate the wood surface locking out unwanted moisture. Oil based stains come in a variety of tints and opacity options. The amount of pigment added to the stain will determine the opacity of the coating.

The good about oil based stains is that they do provide good protection from water damage and wood-fading UV rays. They are fairly easy to maintain. Oil based stains will simply fade away with time and can be easily stripped off using a stain stripper. Some oil based stains even help rejuvenate older dried out wood by replenishing the wood’s lost natural oils. As mentioned, oil based stains come in a wide range of tints and colors. They are user friendly and basically easy to apply. In addition, some oil based stains can help enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

The bad about oil based stains is that some are offered in a semi-solid or solid formula. Some of the more solid oil based stains are heavily pigmented and do not allow the wood grain to show through. Some may like the painted look of their wood surfaces but typically the heavier the pigment, the harder it is to maintain. Solid stains can be extremely tough to strip off once they begin to fail. Another “bad” about oil based stains is that they can be a bit expensive due to their oil nature. Cleanup requires using mineral spirits, which is also fairly expensive.

The ugly of oil based stains is that they are not environmental friendly. In fact, some states will not allow some oil based stains to be shipped in due to their VOC laws. Oil based stains are also more prone to mildew and mold growth. They are not as durable as water based stains, may have a bad odor, and take longer to dry.