a formula for stain for a fence

[paul s]

Measure 4 cups of white vinegar in a bucket.

2
Add 7/8 cup (7 oz.) of boiled linseed oil to the white vinegar. Put gloves on to protect your hands.

3
Add 1/2 cup (4 oz.) of linseed, oil-based artists' paint in the shade you would like to stain the wood to the mixture in the bucket.

4
Stir the mixture with the stick until it is evenly blended.

5
Apply the wood stain to the wood as you desire.



any one ever hear of this, I might give it a try, every thing in the store is like 25 dollars a gallon.  i am putting up a new fence and the boards are 5/8 x 6 x 6' southern yellow pine.  looking for a charcoal or silverish collor

any one have any ideas.?

[Redoverfarm]

Paul I used Olympic Semi-transparent stain on my Board & Batten as well as the porch post.  You can get it in a variety of shades at Lowes in 5 gallons for about $120. They do have 1 gallon sizes but I am thinking that you might need several gallons depending on the amount of fence you have.  I used "driftwood grey" which sounds about the shade that you are looking for.  I used a cheap auto paint gun for application and it worked very well. You should back brush after spraying to keep the stain uniform.  Maybe someone has a recipe for homemade but generally the darker colors such as Walnut were made from Walnut hauls like those contained in these sites

http://basketmakers.org/topics/tutorials/walnutdye.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Black-Walnut-Stain---How-to-Make-a-Cheap-Black-Walnut-Stain&id=3215251


http://www.lowes.com/pd_194624-86-79250A/05_4294806285_4294937087_?productId=3019267&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Exterior%2BStain_4294806285_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1%26page%3D7

[rwanders]

How often do you want to stain your fence?  Modern stains have much longer lifespans than great grampa's old-time mixes.

[paul s]

thanks, I am sold off to lowes for a gallon or a sample  color looks great.

[Redoverfarm]

thanks, I am sold off to lowes for a gallon or a sample  color looks great.

Paul actually the stain is the same in both pictures but appears different because of the time and location that they were taken.  The board & batten is white pine.  On the porch the rafters are spruce and the post are locust and there is some variation because of the species of wood.  On the railings the stain did not take as well because this was pressure treated and might not have been dry enough to absorb the stain.