The author discusses the process of removing wood stain from wood, focusing on the importance of consistency and color control. They mention using natural-bristle brushes for oil stains and synthetic-bristle brushes for latex stains. To maintain consistency, the author suggests using mineral spirits for oil-based stains, water for water-based ones, or lacquer thinner for NGR or lacquer-based stains.
The author also discusses the use of an iron to dilute water-based stains, mineral spirits for oil-based stains, and lacquer thinner for lacquer-based stains. To dilute oil-based wood stains, the author suggests using vinegar and baking soda.
The author also discusses the use of irons to cover the stain in increments of 10 seconds, and vinegar and baking soda to soak a microfiber cloth. Wood stain can be diluted with minerals spirits, water, or lacquer thinner, depending on the type of stain. Oil base stains can be diluted by adding paint thinner, resulting in a lighter shade.
The author also discusses the use of solvents to adjust the stain’s color. They recommend using a general ratio of 4:1, diluting the first coat with Pure Citrus Solvent or Corn Solvent for even absorption. After stripping the solution, the author recommends using mineral spirits to break down waxes before starting the staining process.
The author also shares their experience of creating a stain using steel wool, water, and vinegar, which was left out to prevent rust. They recommend mixing oil stains with both mineral and linseed oil for both interior and exterior use, with turpentine serving as a solvent and linseed oil acting as a binder.
📹 How to dilute paint | Tips & tricks for paint spraying a fence | WAGNER
Wood and metal paints have different viscosity, meaning they flow at different rates. Carina shows how to test the viscosity and …
📹 Recycled Motor Oil Fence Stain / DIY / How to Make your own wood stain
Using recycled motor oil and diesel fuel to create your own cheap wood stain. Farmer’s fence secret exposed! BTW each time you …
“the area paint on the right is significantly larger than that on the left”? Am I perusal a different article? It isn’t! Besides that, it shouldn’t be about the area, it should be about the size of the droplets on the canvas. Furthermore, whether you should dilute or not obviously depends on the paint brand and type! As wel as on its temperature. So, users should use the Wagner viscosity cup to measure it! Why is that not mentioned in this article??
I keep getting bubbles on the surface particularly with water based poly. This is incredibly annoying. I’ve changed and rechanged the settings and can’t get it right so I’ve stopped using it. It’s Wagner flexo 590 detailed sprayer used on furniture. I even bought the fine finish detailed sprayer and it made no difference. Can anyone set me in the right direction please.
If ya happy enough with really dark wood, leave the diesel out and just paint the straight sump oil on your posts. We have been doing this for 5 generations on our farm and it works. We leave replacement posts soak in the oil at the bottom to stop them rotting and when you have miles of fences it’s worth the effort. Plus the grass grows around it fast so I actually beg to differ if someone says it’s bad for the environment. Our options are treated pine Vs red gum pillars and it’s proven that the psyonide they treat pine with can seap into the soil and cause cancer. But I have never seen evidence of red gum soaked in sump oil causing that. This is a great lesson for the young generation thanks for sharing 😊
My granddad and dad never mixed anything in the oil. Use the old oil neat painted it on with brush did take a long time as miles and miles of fence as he was a farmer the fence turned out very dark stain but the beauty of it . The fence wouldn’t needed another coat for 12-15 years. My Grandad brother was a Mechanic so there was always of plenty oil.
“Im sure people are going to say spraying gas and oil around in the yard isnt good for the environment …………. and Im sure its not” Thank you for your candor. This had me in hysterics. This said, Im no expert on the environment, but you ARE technically recycling the oil, and creosote is just as toxic, and requires more processing. Thanks for the article.
An alternative, if you don’t have access to used motor oil, is to mix the diesel fuel with brush grade roofing tar. Diluted down, the tar is dark brown and has the same water repellent qualities. Not free, but much cheaper than store bought stain. Applied it to a new white cedar fence last year – looks great.
Any ideas as to what you would use if you wanted to tint the mix to have it look more charcoal rather than a dark or mid brown? I’ve just built a 25 meter retaining wall with and new white 900mm high picket fence bolted to it and I think the contrast between the two would look cool. Thanks for the article, we are all for saving money.
Anyone ever used Royal Purple motor oil (unused) to see how the color comes out? I’m curious of the results. Also, does anyone suggest maybe mixing a small amount of red oil based paint into clean motor oil to produce a Redwood or Mahogany color? i’m thinking about buying cheap dollar store oil and a tiny can of red and try mixing it to see how it comes out, but if you’d tried this I’d greatly appreciate some info.
My fayther-in-law uses his old tractor oil to treat his wooden hay wagons. The wood on them is at least 40 years old and still as strong as ever. He also was from a large farming family and was pulled out of school after the 8th grade to help on the family farm. There were many kids from the great depression that did this. The famous comedian, Red Skelton, left home at 10 years old and by the time he was 13 he was sending his mom and siblings his entire weekly medicine show paycheck of $10. It’s so easy to cry on social media when you have never experienced a true hardship. But if you have relatives that came out of hard times you’d know that they repurposed everything. I religiously recycle my used oil, but even in a major metropolitan area I still brushed my new mailbox post with used oil before putting it into the ground. I’ve had uncles who worked for the railroad and they had a pile of old railroad ties in their yards for landscaping. The creosote on those and the old wooden telephone poles wasn’t any better for the environment but it did it’s job. Yet I don’t hear anyone crying after the railroad and power companies helped to build their easy American lives. Back in the day your ancesters did whatever it took to survive and that’s what got you to this point in your life, like it or not. So if you’re hating on Brian, you better start hating on your grandparents first. Besides we learned after the Exxon oil spill that there are actually microbes and fungi in nature that break down oil, and if they hadn’t washed the shore with chemicals killing the microbes and fungi nature would have healed itself faster without man’s intervention.
Way to go!! Good job!! This is a great way to use dirty motor oil rather than dispose of it into the environment. Also, the oil and gasoline mixture is kept locally not just on the property, but to the exact location of the fence. My only word of caution would be to not use a sprayer on a windy day or around a creek, river or water source; use a rag and rub it on if possible. If you must use a sprayer, hold or place a shield of cardboard behind and underneath the area you are treating. Once the mixture hits the wood, you’re good.
the wood is soaking it up with just light mist landing on the grass. very little if any would be soaking into the ground if done correctly. its not like you stain a fence every year. its rarely needed & most store bought stains are oil base as well. he’s not pouring gallons of oil on the ground. looks good, saves money, I dig it. thumbs up
As long as the pieces of treated wood do not get to the ocean or rivers, etc., it wouldn’t hurt the environment that much. What people should be concerned about is the amount of nastier chemicals (than used motor oil + diesel oil) deliberately dumped into streams of water in some other nations. My comment will attract some down votes but this is less damaging than what I described above; besides, where do people think used motor oil go (the type that does NOT get recycled)?
well done article. clear, concise, well edited, short, and really helpful. I have done a similar process with kerosene and roofing tar. ratio is up to your desired consistency but any mix works. it works great if your in the city and used motor oil is harder to come by. there is nowhere convenient to change and dispose of oil but from this vid it looks as though water beads up the oil mix better than my kerosene tar mix but my is still incredibly effective. thanks for the tips.
I like the way you present this . It’s practical and informational. I wouldn’t be concerned too much about the ecological implication of staining your wood fence with used oil and diesel. For one thing, it’s just a small portion and your’re doing it responsibly and secondly I think used oil and diesel are biodegradable in themselves so it will break down in time but I don’t know for how long.
Why would you need to redo every yr? I know wainscoting recommends application every yr but not always necessary. Also, wouldn’t each time (year) you apply a coat wouldn’t that continue to make wood darker just like a strain does our does the sun fade color w time? I’m a huge environmentalists, raised that way vs being new in thing. Personally I think reusing motor oil mixed w diesel would be more environmentally friendly after you consider all the chemicals & their processing plants to make a strain. Question: could you use Linseed/ used motor oil mixture vs diesel mixture? I’m huge fan of Linseed pull for all types of wood indoor & out. Plus I go yrs before outdoor furniture requires another good coat
An easy way to pressurize the sprayer; Take a air fill valve stem from a car or truck wheel and install it near the top of the sprayer. you only need to drill one hole and pull the valve stem through it. Be sure that your sprayer has a pressure relief valve. Most sprayers can handle at least 30 to 40 lbs of pressure from an air compressor. Your pressure relief valve should open when you reach the limit.
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺, thanks for the vid.👍🏽 Does the fencing get stuck with diesel x oil smell to it? If so how long does the smell usually last if used in suburban area. 1-2 weeks/ 6months/ permanently etc. ? Little more info… I’m in eastern Australia so it’s more tropical climate (humid in summer and dry in winter) I want to try this, but don’t need my neighbours having a tearie over any lingering smell.
I was a young boy at the time I sold my grandfather and my uncles used this method but with kerosene Puerto Rico has big migration of termites post last at least sixty years went back home to visit the family on many occasions great stuff but we use kerosene and oil works just fine and if you’re out at farmland it’s not hurting anything and it is great for the trees staves their lives we need to shade
Absolutely, Don’t use gasoline. If you need better penetration for new “fresh” unseasoned wood, use diesel or better yet…pure natural alcohol, not “rubbing alcohol” because it’s mostly water. Old “seasoned” wood just needs sun/heat and time to soak up the oil. Soaking the ends in a bucket of oil and a few coats on dry wood’s surface in summer sun will last lifetimes.
My Dad been doing this for years or anytime we put fence posts up. He only do it from bottom to about 1 foot above ground to preserve the Fence’s look etc… But some area he paint it all over, LOL. On the back side of our Garage, He paint them with Used Motor Oil and it’s still going strong. We built our new Garage in the 90’s with wood sidings and before I was born, til today 2017… There are no Sign of Damages or even Termites. It also keeps the Termites from entering the Garage too, LOL. Rain or even soaked surround have no effect on the sidings. :)))))))))))))))
Hey Stupid Questions Coming so be warned. 1. Do you think it makes your Fence/wood more susceptible to wild fire Vs regular stain. Have you tried to do a side by side comparison of your Stain Vs a traditional stain. I would think a traditional stain would last 3-5 years. Try using a Battery Powerd back pack sprayer. The spray will come out more even (kind of like a traditional spray gun) and the spray pattern would be more exact/less overspray. Thanks for the article
A proper disclaimer. I apreciate that you acknowledge the risk/reward ratio before consciously making a descision. Commenters appear to have lines drawn in the sand as if they have principals. They have social media principals which are for show only. Same people who probably have petro based plastic fences that last 3 years.
Oil based is the way to go if you want it to last! Think about how railroad ties are soaked in oil because they are made to last a lifetime. Most wood stains suck and are made to break down quickly and peel off because they want you to buy more every few years where oil will last a lifetime if done right!
I’ve used quite a bit of burnt oil to color fences. Jet black from Diesel engines. The last time I used it…few years back. … 3 member post and rail, with sheep wire. Dont mix it 50 50. Just straight. Used brush…..trying to think the length….500 yards…..lots of fencing thru the years. Make every move count. But it is the best product I’ve used. And stays black. No smell really….they recon that the oil from the oil filter is not great to mix in . Why I dont know….but used always have to keep that out of the drums. To brush it on is the best I’ve found, sadly…I had a deck brush once that was a great tool. There not treating the wooden post like they once did….but if ya stuck them in a drum ….or used pitch ….them were the days…..thinking ……
That’s called being resourceful. My dad used to used diesel for a lot stuff, even to clean the tractor and to clean hand from oil. I’m doing this on a tool shed we made from free wood pallets. I had seen people in mexico using this for fences and wood rooms. I had never seen the combination of both oil and diesel. It’s not that bad for the environment. There are worst things out there so dont worry about that. The fence looks nice, I’m ready to do my toolshed.
First, Mix the diesel and oil first then strain as a thinner consistency. Second oil diesel stain is equal to bought stains on an environmental stand point. Third for anyone saying it’s a fire hazard doesn’t know diesel has a high flash point and won’t start on fire until it’s heated to a high temp before it will ignite. You can hold a torch or put a tin cup of diesel in a fire and it won’t ignite until it hits a boiling point. Rock on bud, I do this inside and out with 700 ft of 6ft tall privacy fence which is roughly $1000 to stain if ai bought box store stain. Instead it costs me around $80
I converted a boat trailer to a utility trailer using reclaimed old deck planking for the floor & pine shelving from an office clean out for the sides. I applied this mixture using a paint brush, it is just past 3 years & the wood is still holding up despite hauling tons of mulch, sand, stone & fire wood. Showing sings of wear but the wood cost was labor the oil was recycled & the diesel was also recycled, from blowing out fuel line to the boiler. It works 👍
My dad uses this trick to protect his pylons on his river cabin 3xcept he adds a little permetherin as an insecticide it keeps roaches and ants out as well as termites. All the lumber out there go through some pretty harsh conditions especially since hes so close to the gulf of Mexico and the salt water really dries everything out
people forget crude oil is a natural product. Eventually motor oil will rot as well, Microbes in the soil actual eat oil and after a few years it is all gone anyway. I have no issue with what you are doing, like you say just keep as much on the fence as you can and as little on the ground as possible.
I’m not sure you need to apologise for “the environment”. commercial paints & stains may not be that “friendly” either. the used oil would be dumped anyway. Here it is re-used. If without this oil finish, left to it’s natural state, wood just rots faster. Ok, “environmentally friendly”. BUT then needs new wood to be cut. Ok if the earth had a smaller population. But if everyone had to replace fences, we’d see deforestation anyway.
We live on a 40 acre farm..there’s 3 houses on it…every board cut was milled by our papaw…and everyone of them are treated with diesel and motor oil…😂 luckily we have not had to test this hypothesis but we’re all sure if one goes up, it’ll be on the ground in less than 30 minutes. Oh to live in a simpler time…
What’s bad for the environment is the chemicals that they use in Wood stains. Not only is the way you’re doing it preservative of the wood it also resists termites. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now and the grass around my fence doesn’t even die. But I do put down plastic plastic around where I’m spraying. If you are that concerned about harming the environment just put down plastic.
This is insane ! To use a brush is one thing, but spray ? This should be outlawed! Children playing around this…animals licking their paws and not even to mention birds eating insects ! I know its all toxic …stain and paint, but spraying this is so ignorant of consequences to everything and everyone including yourself!
It’s not that environmentally unfriendly, it is not just recycled but you’re not carelessly dumping it on the ground, it’s sticking to the wood which preserves it and that’s less going to the landfills cause you can’t burn pressure treated wood anyways. I consider it much more environmentally friendly on a realistic level and beautiful.
I realize this article is from 2016, but for the nay sayers, remember this. Oil comes from the earth and will do no harm going back into the earth. I am a hillbilly and you use what is available. Saving money is key for people of the same mentality. Good article Brian Ealy. Maybe the city folks will learn something. LOL
Am I correct in saying that many wooden power poles are also saturated in oil? Sometimes when I drive by power poles in the country side the bottoms near the ground look black like they are just saturated with oil and tar. Newer poles look like green treat. Maybe a dumb concern, but I feel like this just makes the wood even more flammable than it already is.. it’s interesting tho, I do like the idea of not having to replace a fence for a lifetime.
The issue of used motor oil vs. new motor oil is: 1. Used will give you a darker finish, and 2. Used my clog your spray nozzel. It’s important to note that this spray will go everywhere, so be prepared to kill some nearby plants, stain nearby structures and make a mess. Personally, I roll my fence with used motor oil. Get the thickest nap roller you can find and a mini roller. Cut the roller cover down with a hacksaw and place it on the mini roller. I mixed one five quart bottle of used motor oil and five gallons of kerosene in a five gallon bucket. Put the roller pan in a carboard box to reduce drips on your lawn and garden. It also keeps you from stepping in it and filling your sneaker with kero and motor oil like I did. Roll the fence, then come back with a brush and finish the tight spots. Yes, spraying is a quicker application but a much longer clean up. It’s also a lot more messy and you don’t get the ability to really load down the roller and soak the top and base of each post where you really need a lot of oil. Another advantage of rolling is you can call it quits and just cover your gear without any clean up. This is important for big jobs.
Hey, looks good, does it dry or remain kinda sticky? I believe most fence stains are made with linseed oil which dries after the thinners evaporate. I know motor oil isn’t a drying oil, but I’m guessing the diesel thins it enough that it really soaks in but remains a little tacky? Anyway, cool trick I might give this a shot. Thanks
we just had to fix part of a 15 yr old privacy fence so we had about 10 ft of new wood and 300 ft of 15 yr old fence that had never been treated during the yrs, so i bought some minwax stain special walnut and treated the new wood and then we just rolled ( use a heavy nap roller like for concrete walls) the oil out of a 5 gal bucket and stained the rest of it and then went over the new wood again to blend it into the same color of the old wood that had just been rolled as well,,It isn’t a perfect match but pretty dam close enough for me,so far we used 2 5 gal buckets full of old oil that we got from some of the local car repair shops and also we had scrooged up about 7 gals in indesign dual jugs as well and so far we have almost got the whole fence done on just one side of a 6 foot pricey picket fence,so far total cost 0.00
Oil and gas come from the ground and eventually will return to the ground one way or another. Seeing how I paid nearly 200 for 5 gallons of stain just the other day I would say they probably use the same things in stain so what’s the difference if you make your own. I do know the oil and diesel mix bugs don’t eat the wood. Store bought doesn’t last long either they may be using veg oil and some type of solvent with no harsh smell so not to smell like motor oil.
Just so everybody knows, in the United States used motor oil is classified as a hazardous material. Motor oil contains metal detergents as well as fine metal shavings from engine wear. Sure, these metals are what keeps the bugs off the wood but they are toxic. I used a 50/50 mixture of diesel fuel and used motor oil on half my fence before I learned it was a hazardous material. Worst case scenario – if a neighbor found out and didn’t like it and they reported it, it could cost you big – you would have to remove the fence as well as the soil and you would be fined. Probably won’t happen……..probably! A legal alternative would be a 50/50 mixture of oderless mineral spirits and linseed oil. Maybe a little citric oil to keep bugs off, maybe a little melted wax as extra water repellent. Cost a little more but it is legal.
Used motor oil contains contaminants from combustion, such as heavy metals, which slowly leach into the soil and can contaminate the water table. One drop of oil can poison thousands of gallons of fresh water. In many areas, the use of even oil based paint or stain is forbidden outdoors, due to the potential contamination of the water table, let alone the reuse of used motor oil as a stain. Bring used motor oil to recycle facilities, where it is purified and reused. Don’t dump it on the land (or spread it on fencing, decks, etc.) where it comes back to haunt future generations.
tbh, i really dotn think this is any more ecologically damaging than some of the stains and preservatives that are out there in the box stores. If you really looked at those ingredients in the desk and fence water proofers, it’s full of oil based products which is why the water beads off when it rains
PSA! DO NOT DO THIS! YOUR FENCE WILL START FALLING APART AFTER A FEW YEARS. I did this and now I am regretting it horribly. I did half my fence. The part that faces the road and It is literally falling apart. Professionally installed fence. The non oiled part looks Great. Screws are coming out. Posts are losening from concrete. It is a mess. And now there’s no saving it or going back. I e had several contractors come out here to try and help me and all have said the same.
Hello. Thanks for sharing this. I have a wood fence being installed in my property. I know I need to get it sealed to make it last. Just looking for cheaper ways to do it. 1.Do you know Where I can get the oil if I don’t have it at home? (I get my oil change at auto shops). Can I just ask for it at auto shops? 2. Do I just get the diesel fuel at a gas station? (Sorry for these questions, I’m a first time homeowner just trying to make it :-)… 3. Do I mix 50/50? 4. What kind of pump should I purchase? 5. Can I use the motor oil alone without the diesel fuel? Like paint it on the fence? 6. Lastly but not least… Is my fence going to be flammable? (My son and I like to fire up our fire pit and I don’t want this to be an issue) Thanks in advance for any answers anybody can give me!
Might look fancy, but I doubt it’s doing much good. Wood posts rot out just below the grade. I know some people use the oil straight, soaking the ground around the posts. As far as environmental impacts – the oil is not really a problem on a small scale. Bacteria do a number on it. The bigger issue is all the anti friction additives companies use. I would not be putting those in my water supply.
I was in the used oil collection business for 25 years. I seen used oil used in many different ways. We used to oil dirt road with it and I’ve had farmers get it to put on animals like pigs to kill whatever. ( I forgot) but the put on animals. I wonder how transmission fluid would do mixed with oil. Diesel oil would probably do better because it’s a lot darker than regular motor oil.
Brian Ealy – There’s some additional benefits you didn’t mention. – Avoid a bunch of wood eating bugs/pests. – Avoid the wood cracking when it get’s too dry. I advise the use of gloves, glasses and respirator when spraying with anything but plain water… 😉 Depending on the application paint brush and a paint roll can also be very useful. On the interior of a garage I used direct application. Meaning no dilution or filtering, applied with roll. That was a few years ago still going strong. 😉
Brian, I live in a subdivision it’s in the country and a small town so most people around here would not make too much of a fuss using used motor oil and diesel instead of expensive stain. My question is how strong is the smell? I dont want to draw too much concern from my neighbors. Also I’m not doing it for the look. I just want to extent the life of my fence. Its pine so I know it needs a little extra care to last
So in the Northeast they oil the backroads then put sand on it. Where do you think that oil goes? I’d sooner see the waste oil used as described by many than gathered and buried all in one location so in the future when whatever containment system they’re using finally fails that area will truly be contaminated.