You can paint a fence with engine oil. Engine oil makes a great long-lasting fence paint. Engine oil can be applied the same way as any other paint. This was used often as a fence paint until the rise of recycling. How To Use Engine Oil To Paint At its base, engine oil is still mineral oil. All mineral oils have excellent preserving qualities.
Is it safe to use used motor oil on a fence?
There's an old boy around my parts who's using used motor oil on his fence - anyone heard of this idea? I thought it was dangerous to do so, both for him and the environment, but he assured me it was fine - he'd been doing it for over 20 years! Surely a can of fence paint is preferable, as well as less hazardous.
Can I use a can of paint on my fence?
Surely a can of fence paint is preferable, as well as less hazardous. He seemed to think he was doing his bit for recycling! I'm not totally sure, but doesn't it contain carcinogens and has a tendency to leach out and contaminate soil/water. Also, it made his fence black.
Is it bad to use motor oil on wood?
Problem is that the motor oil isn't going to stick around. It does evaporate to some extent, and it will also wash away in very tiny concentrations as it's rained upon. What I'm getting at is not the pollution aspect so much as the longevity and effectiveness of used oil as a wood treatment.
Is used engine oil bad for the environment?
I would propose that used engine oil is less toxic than it used to be now that gasoline has a much lower lead content. Used engine oil shouldn't have such a high lead content now but it still has lots of components in it that do pollute the environment.
Can you use engine oil on wood?
Yes, that's right! Used car engine oil can serve as a preservation finish for outdoors wood projects.
Will old motor oil protect wood?
0:005:13Old Motor Oil for Wood Stain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe cheapest way I found and one of the best to actually protect the wood on my trailers. And otherMoreThe cheapest way I found and one of the best to actually protect the wood on my trailers. And other outdoor wooden items is actually just old engine.
How do you treat fence posts with used motor oil?
0:2513:02Treating Wood Fence Posts - The old Timers Way - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's what we're going to do just. Get yourself a 50/50 mix of motor oil and diesel fuel whatMoreAnd that's what we're going to do just. Get yourself a 50/50 mix of motor oil and diesel fuel what we're going to do is just going to paint it on. Okay. Let that soak in for.
What kind of oil do you use on a timber fence?
Tung Oil: Also known as China wood oil, it is an old traditional drying oil that has greater cross-linking than linseed oil, hence is used to obtain harder finishes with more gloss (through repeated application of thin coatings with polishing or buffing). It is the preferred finish for the woodturning industry.
Can I use motor oil on my deck?
1:118:54Staining Wood With Motor Oil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow some of you might ask me. Well isn't oil contaminated it's it's used it's dirty. So isn't itMoreNow some of you might ask me. Well isn't oil contaminated it's it's used it's dirty. So isn't it gonna clog up your sprayer. Well I haven't had that problem.
What is the best oil for preserving wood?
Linseed Oil Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is one of the most popular wood finishes in the world. Like other hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil saturates deep into the wood grain to protect against scratches and changes in humidity.
How long does motor oil last on a fence?
When to use motor oil is almost as critical as how to use it as a fence paint. The most critical factor to consider is the duration of the barrier. Over a 25-year period, motor oil will protect wood.
Is diesel fuel and motor oil a good wood preservative?
Petroleum-based solvents such as diesel are used most frequently to stain and preserve wood for outdoor use. Diesel is an excellent wood preservative and the wood quickly absorbs diesel-based stain. It is easy to apply with a sponge or cloth.
What to put on fence posts to stop rotting?
Applying a seal or stain to your wooden fence can help provide an additional level of protection against rot. You can choose to use a water repellent sealant to your wood to help keep rot-causing moisture out from your fences.
What is the best oil for fencing?
The best fence stainsRonseal Quick Drying Woodstain. Best fence stain you can buy: when it comes to quality fence stain, this one ticks all the boxes. ... Sikkens Cetol HLS Plus Translucent Woodstain. ... Cuprinol Spray Fence Treatment. ... Ronseal Shed & Fence Preserver. ... Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Treatment.
Should I oil or stain my fence?
2:039:44Water Based vs Oil Based Fence Stain - Which Is Better For Fence Staining?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipColor it's actually going to be better for your wood to use an oil-based stain. Now the cons ofMoreColor it's actually going to be better for your wood to use an oil-based stain. Now the cons of using an oil-based stain to stain your next fence.
How often should you oil a fence?
It depends on how your fence is looking. When water no longer beads on the surface but soaks into the wood, you need to re-seal. Most semi-transparent oil stains last 2-5 years, but it's better to be pessimistic and expect to do it again after two or three, since fences tend to get such a battering.
Can I use engine oil on a fence?
Firstly, engine oil is often not recommended for any kind of residential use. With the dark, almost black color, it is unlikely that engine oil will improve the appearance of your fence.
Can engine oil be washed off a fence?
Contrastingly, in particularly rainy areas, the engine oil will be easily washed off the fence. This will lead to harmful pollutants seeping into the ground, causing any grass or plant life beneath it to die out.
Is engine oil safe to use on a fence?
With the risk of polluting your environment or causing the spread of a fire, engine oil is not recommended for use in most climates, making it difficult to find a location where its application to your fence could be safe.
How long does diesel oil take to dry?
From the comments it says "takes a few hours to dry... it will leave a little a little oily feel. for about 4 days - then it's gone.. the wood soaks it right up.
Does motor oil stick to wood?
Problem is that the motor oil isn't going to stick around. It does evaporate to some extent, and it will also wash away in very tiny concentrations as it's rained upon. What I'm getting at is not the pollution aspect so much as the longevity and effectiveness of used oil as a wood treatment.
Is used oil toxic?
I would propose that used engine oil is less toxic than it used to be now that gasoline has a much lower lead content. Used engine oil shouldn't have such a high lead content now but it still has lots of components in it that do pollute the environment.

How to Use Engine Oil to Paint
- At its base, engine oil is still mineral oil. All mineral oils have excellent preserving qualities. Luckily, all mineral oils are also very easy to apply. You can use a sprayer or a brushto cover your fence in engine oil. When using a sprayer it is best to filter the oil and mix it with diesel. Mixing w…
When to Use Engine Oil Paint
- Determining when to use an engine oil is almost as important as knowing how to use it as a fence paint. The most important idea you have to consider is how long you want the fence to be up. Motor oil will preserve wood for over 25 years. It’s a long term commitment. So using engine oil as the paint will preserve your wood for a very long time. If you are concerned about rot and bugs, p…
Environmental Concerns
- We’re talking about used engine oil here. It’s a big concern for the environment. In the video above, the old man said that the oil won’t hurt the environment. The truth is it’s more complicatedthan if it hurts or not. The question isn’t if it will hurt the environment. The question is which option is best for the environment. Being a hot topic let me just post some basic findings. In a study conducte…
Application Options
- As you decide what type of treatment meets your needs best you will need to decide how to apply it to your fence. Keep in mind that these materials are considered toxic. Your options for application areeither a paintbrush or sprayer. Use a paintbrush only if you are using straight oil. The contaminants in the used oil will clog a sprayer if the oil has not been filtered. Using a paint…
Cost-Effectiveness
Long Term Costs
Residential Effect
Fire Hazards
Environmental Risks
Personal Risks
Removal
Comparison to Competing Products
- The main issue with using engine oil on fences is that it is still just oil. It will never be able to replace or outperform products made for a fence or barn care. While engine oil can sink into the wood and offer a temporary protective barrier, it will never dry out, and therefore will always run the risk of rubbing or washing off. In addition, th...
Conclusion