[RPetry]

Kevin,

My fault, Russell and others know that back brushing is standard for drying oils. At least in my experience, you have to lay down a fairly even coat of drying oil product to obtain an even finish.

With a first time job, the labor savings comes primarily on the vertical wood, which is the most time consuming. Softwood decks are the vast majority of our work, and probably for many others here. We spray with an HLVP designed for stains. We do not backbrush. Could care less how much paraffinic oil drips on the floor, runs down the posts, or streaks down the fasica. We do not worry about "puddles" on the horizontal handrail or underneath the ballustrade. Well engineered paraffinic oil stains have the ability to "even out". Sure the worker carries a 6" bristle brush to spread out when needed, but for most woods, its a blow and go.

The horizontal deck surface is another story. For a first time job, 2 separate applications of a paraffinic are required. You use a lot of stain. But application could not be faster than spraying water or using a 20" truck brush and an appropriate bucket.

For first time jobs, we usually spray with a Pump Tec HLVP to hit all the gaps, then use a 20" truck brush to lay on another application of oil. Very fast.

I will give it a toss up between linseed drying oils and paraffinic oils in labor the first time you service a new customer. Cost wise, the customer will certainly pay more for stain than using a linseed drying oil.

The real benefit comes in service. Maybe you are not there yet, but maintenance is the better margins and meat of the wood restoration business. Every two years. Does not matter in our climate, whether linseed or paraffinic. An inexpensive, shurflo applied bleach and soap mix to the wood. Hose rinse, or for customer perception, a dump tip on a dual wand.

The wood dries out fast as there is still oil in the wood. Fast, single app of oil and you are done. No stripping, no percarbs, no pressure.

If the wood gets too dark after 3 or 4 maintenance oilings, a simple percarb wash works well. Could not be simpler, quicker, and easier on both your labor costs and customer pocketbook.