Which is best wood stain for a shed, oil or water based?

sb44

We were told by the people who erected our shed to treat it after it had been up a month.

They said best to use an oil based stain which we have never used, always used water based for the fence panels.

I just wanted to get a second opinion, do other members think oil based is the best for a shed?

Off to buy some tomorrow and start painting before the bad weather sets in at the weekend.

Ta.

blossomhill_2

My dad used to do his with old engine oil - horrible colour and smell but never rotted. Luckily never had a match near them either!

Davesnave

Oil based every time. My chickens only get the best and any itinerant red mites don't like it up 'em !

But of course it's not just about avoiding rot and killing bugs; there's aesthetics too. I have to admit to using Cuprinol Garden Shades when I had a town garden and a big shed that needed to recede into the shrubbery, rather than yell, "Here I am!!!" :eek:

Garden Shades aren't cheap. Creocote is about £8.50. The hens don't give a monkey's either way....

sb44

Davesnave wrote: »

Oil based every time. My chickens only get the best and any itinerant red mites don't like it up 'em !

But of course it's not just about avoiding rot and killing bugs; there's aesthetics too. I have to admit to using Cuprinol Garden Shades when I had a town garden and a big shed that needed to recede into the shrubbery, rather than yell, "Here I am!!!" :eek:

Garden Shades aren't cheap. Creocote is about £8.50. The hens don't give a monkey's either way....

The shed manufacturer sells their own oil based which they use on all of their display sheds, I think they charge £20, not sure wha size it was though, maybe 7ltrs?

Gloomendoom

I prefer oil based as it soaks it into the surface. All the water based stains I have used form a skin on the surface that eventually flakes off.

sb44

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I prefer oil based as it soaks it into the surface. All the water based stains I have used form a skin on the surface that eventually flakes off.

That is exactly what the fella at the shed place said.

Anyway, I bought the oil based, started at lunchtime and finished at 3pm (it was a 10' x 8' chalet/cabin with a few windows) and it it went on like a dream.



All ready for this bad weather we are supposed to be getting at the weekend.