The Best Way to Preserve Oil-stained Wood

Reapply oil stain as the original coat wears off. If your wood is part of the exterior of a house, check it once a year to determine if the oil is diminishing. Squirt the wood's surface with a hose. The water should bead up and run off quickly. If the wood is absorbing water, it is a sign that more stain should be applied.

Apply an extra coat of stain every 10 years to wooden decorations or objects like clocks, bowls or interior doors. Don't store precious wooden objects in areas that receive a lot of sun, as ultraviolet rays can break down the finish prematurely.

Keep wood as dry as possible. Moisture causes wood to rot. For example, if your wood siding has an oil-based stain, do not store firewood against it or lean any large objects against it for extended amounts of time. Do not let vegetation grow too closely to the house. Do not store precious wooden objects in a damp basement or humid attic.

Pay close attention to the sides of your house that face the sun or are subject to prevailing winds and harsh weather. The finish on these sides will wear out more quickly than other locations.

Remove dirt or snow around oil-stained wooden fence posts or the bottom of siding boards. Wood should not directly contact the ground. Shovel snow off decks quickly to enhance their longevity.