The chart below is a quick reference comparing oil and water based stains.
Water based stain vs oil based stain for deck.
There are some methods to differentiate the oil based stain from a water based stain.
Water based deck stains are also more breathable which means they will not retain moisture.
Let s know some of them.
Water based deck stains.
They are more breathable meaning they won t trap moisture which can cause a stain to fail.
In the debate between oil based stains vs.
Water based stains if you are coating a wood that has a natural resistance to rotting a water based stain is the better option.
Firstly the oil based stain gives a greater finish than the water based finish.
The oil based stain doesn t react to the liquor.
Some examples of this kind of wood are cedar cypress and redwood.
Oil based deck stains tend to work better in hot or cold extremes and with most woods.
They take longer to dry up to 48 hours which can be a real problem when you live in a humid or wet climate.
Most tend to retain their color better than their counterpart oil based deck stains.
Read our article for information that sets the record straight when comparing water based stains with oil based stains.
Water based stains work well on woods that have natural oil or wood that has previously been stain with oil based products.
A water based stain will also retain its color better than oil.
These deck stains tend to adhere better to surfaces that have undergone some sort of staining or painting.
As always comments are encouraged.
If deck s color reacts with the alcohol then the deck is pained with the water based stain.
So when you touch the oil based deck you ll find it very smooth and shiny.
When should i use a water based stain.