| There are both advantages and disadvantages to | | | | Stains containing a drying oil, such as linseed oil, |
| using pigment oil stains. While you may enjoy the | | | | do not penetrate as deeply into the wood as they |
| advantages of this stain over the other two types, | | | | do when turpentine is used. Stains with drying oils as |
| you should be aware of the disadvantages before | | | | the vehicle give an even, flat tone, however, |
| you decide to use this stain for your wood finishing | | | | because they do not penetrate unevenly in spots on |
| project. | | | | account of irregular wavy or end grain around or near |
| Advantages: | | | | knots. |
| Pigment oil stains are easily prepared. | | | | Attractive effects can be produced with several |
| They are very versatile, and are ideal for all kinds | | | | of the pigment oil stains on some of the close |
| of woodwork from plinth blocks to custom millwork. | | | | grained woods, such as poplar, cherry, maple, white |
| They are very easy to apply, even by children. | | | | pine, and even on walnut, which is somewhat porous. |
| They do not raise the grain. Consequently, | | | | Disadvantages |
| sponging and re-sanding are unnecessary. This saves | | | | Oil stains do not penetrate deeply and as a result |
| you a lot of work when using this kind of stain in | | | | they are easily cut through by sandpaper or are |
| wood finishing. | | | | quickly worn off by use. |
| They may be used on thin veneers without any | | | | Re-staining is difficult with oil stains. Therefore |
| danger of loosening the glue. | | | | the proper color must be secured with one coat. (If |
| They are cheaper to apply than water-stains. As | | | | the stain is raised with benzene, another darker color |
| a result, they are used on cheap furniture, and | | | | can be appliedwith some success.) |
| frequently in house finishing. | | | | Oil stain pigments are opaque and remain on the |
| They are good to use on the interior of case | | | | surface to some extent; they obscure the grain and |
| goods where raising the grain and re-sanding are | | | | cause a loss of transparency. |
| difficult. Large pieces of wooden furniture such as | | | | Oil stains are more expensive than water-stains, |
| wooden bar rails, or a wooden cabinet, for example. | | | | and do not cover as much surface gallon for gallon. |
| They generally contain a certain amount of some | | | | If it is applied too slowly, or if it is not rubbed |
| drying oil, such as linseed oil, and in drying, they leave | | | | soon enough, an oil stain may go into the pores too |
| a thin varnish-like film which protects the wood to | | | | deeply to dry promptly. Later on, it may ooze out |
| some extent. | | | | and causetrouble. |
| A drying-oil, such as linseed oil, unless it is | | | | Oil stains require several days for proper drying. |
| bleached, darkens the wood even without being | | | | For this reason, if you choose to stain fireplace |
| mixed with any colors. | | | | mantel shelves, or entire fireplace mantels for either |
| Oil colors can be mixed with wood-filler, and this | | | | an electric or gas fireplace, you must wait until it is |
| allows for the combination stains and fills in one | | | | completely and absolutely dry until you light a fire. |
| operation. | | | | Oil stains are likely to "lift" or come off to some |
| Oil stains can be used successfully on certain | | | | extent with filler. |
| very absorptive woods, such as cypress, which | | | | The shades of color available in pigment oil stains |
| becomes very rough and porous when water staining | | | | are more limited in number than in water-stains. |
| is attempted. | | | | |