No matter what wood-working project you are starting, you will need to apply something to the wood to give it its finished look. Wood stain is one of the most popular options available and it has a range of benefits that can make it the perfect choice to elevate the look of bare wood. Today we are going to look at what wood stain is, how it compares to paint and wood finish, the benefits of wood stain, and how to apply it properly (plus the common mistakes that people make when staining wood).
What Is Wood Stain?
Wood stains are a type of paint that can be applied to wood to enhance the natural colours of the bare wood. Some wood stains are opaque, with a solid colour that sits on top of the wood. Other wood stains are transparent so that the original colour of the wood can be seen.
Wood stains consist of colourants (either a dye or a pigment) that is suspended in a vehicle (water, alcohol, or petroleum distillate), and a binder or finishing agent. This finishing agent can be a lacquer, varnish, or other typical wood finish.
Some wood stains use pigments and some use dyes, and some can use a mixture of both. This difference is important when it comes to what the final wood stain will achieve. Dyes tend to have smaller molecules than pigments and they fully dissolve in the vehicle whereas pigments are temporarily suspended in it.
This means that dyes will penetrate deeper into the wood, including fine-grained woods. They are more transparent and will show the wood grain nicely. Pigments won't penetrate very far into the wood and will only penetrate at all when the natural wood has large pores, so they aren't that suitable for fine-grained wood. Because they sit more on the wood surface, they give a more opaque look.
Different wood stains may have only dye or only pigment, or a mixture with different ratios of each. These will often be marked as "transparent", "semi-transparent", "opaque", etc.
Different Types Of Wood Stains
There isn't just one type of wood stain. There are a variety of different options out there that vary in how easy they are to apply to wood, what types of wood they work best on, and what types of environment they are better in. When choosing the right wood stain for your project, it is important to understand the different wood stain options out there so that you can get it right, the first time.
Oil-Based Wood Stains
Oil-based wood stains are the most popular choice of wood stain for a few different reasons. They usually use linseed oil as a binder, and they have a slow drying time. This makes them easier to work with because you have a lot of time to remove any linseed oil excess before the oil-based stain dries.
You can identify an oil-based stain by the thinning and clean-up solvent that is listed in the ingredients. If it is petroleum distillate (AKA aliphatic hydrocarbon) you can be relatively certain that you are looking at an oil-based stain.
Oil-based wood stains penetrate deeply into the wood so can be protective. Linseed oil is also a natural material so is non-toxic.
Sometimes an oil-based stain will have an ingredient added to create a wood finish, but you can also apply your finishing coat after staining the wood after the wood stain has had time to dry (usually overnight).
Water-Based Stains
Water-based stains are useful if you are planning on using a water-based finishing coat. This is because water finishes don't tend to bind well with oil-based stains or lacquer/varnishes.
You can identify a water-based stain by the ingredients listed as it uses a water-based finish as a binder. This means that water-based stains are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, so they are perfectly safe to work with for long periods in enclosed environments compared to solvent-based wood stains.
A water-based stain, however, will be one of the most difficult to work with. This is because they are extremely fast drying so there is very little time to remove any excess before the water-based stain has finished the drying process.
A water-based stain will also raise the grain of the wood which can mean that the finish isn't smooth. This is difficult to rectify after the fact by sanding without removing some of the wood stain so you may need to raise the wood grain before staining the wood.
Varnish Stains
Varnish wood stains look relatively similar to oil-based stains, but they behave quite differently. Unlike oil stains, these stains dry hard which gives a glossy wood finish.
Varnish stains are easy to use, and they can be left to dry without the need to brush off any excess. With oil-based stains, the excess needs to be wiped off else the finish, when it is applied, is liable to chip or peel.
They are also easy to find because they are almost always specifically labelled. This is because they use the same solvent as oil stains so mixing them up would be an easy mistake to make.
Gel Stains
Gel stains are a recent invention, becoming popular in the late 20th century. Gel stains are oil-based but they have a much thicker consistency than normal oil wood stains.
They have limited penetration and the stain will sit on the wood surface rather than soaking into the top few layers, but gel stains do have some advantages above other types of wood stain.
A gel stain will not flow because it is a high-viscosity liquid. This means that it is easy to gain more control over the application and that, even when the bare wood is in a vertical position, the stain won't run down.
A gel stain also won't cause blotches on pine wood, which can be a common problem that is difficult to fix. When using other types of wood stain with pine, it is necessary to apply a wood conditioner beforehand, but this isn't necessary with a gel stain.
Lacquer Stains
Despite the name, lacquer stains do not actually contain lacquer. They are instead a type of varnish stain. They are called lacquer stains because woodworking professionals like to mix them with lacquer to adjust the colour of the wood between coats.
You can identify lacquer stains through their ingredients. They will contain xylene and various ketones.
These stains are extremely fast-drying (within 15 minutes) so are usually only applied by professionals. And most of the time, the professionals will work in pairs to ensure that the excess is wiped off as quickly as possible. So this type of wood stain wouldn't normally be suitable for a home woodworking project.
Water-Soluble Dye Stain
This is one of the older methods of staining wood and was the most popular up until around the 1950s. It is sold in powdered form and contains "aniline" dyes that need to be dissolved in water. You can use different ratios of powder and water to create a different colour and once it is in its liquid form you can apply it to the wood surface.
While this type of wood stain is no longer as popular as it used to be, it is still often used by woodworking amateurs and enthusiasts because it is versatile. The colour can be built up and it gives a rich feel to the wood. There is also a wide variety of colour types that can be used.
It doesn't, however, have any UV protection so the colour will fade over time, especially if the wood piece is kept in direct sunlight.
Metalized (Metal Complex) Dye Stains
To counteract the fading issues with water-soluble dye stains, metalized dye stains were developed in the 1950s. They are specially formulated to be more resistant to fading due to the addition of metals (e.g. chromium, copper, nickel, etc). They will still fade eventually but the process is slowed down significantly.
Unlike water stains, metalized dye stains won't raise the grain of the wood ("non-grain raising"). They can also be sprayed so are popular in wood shops that like to use spray cans. This spray can give a more even coat than can be achieved with brushwork.
Metalized dye stains can be added to lacquer as a toner as well as being applied directly to natural wood.
What Is The Difference Between Wood Stain And Varnish?
Wood stain and wood varnishes can be easily confused but they serve very different purposes and can leave wood with a very different look. In some situations, it may be better to use a wood stain, in others a wood varnish, or it can be best to use both.
A wood stain will change or enhance the natural wood colour. Staining wood isn't the same as painting it because, rather than covering up the natural wood grain, when you stain wood, it enhances and showcases the grain.
It can also be used either to enhance the natural colours or to give the wood a new colour, all while keeping the natural features of the wood intact.
As a downside, when you stain wood, you shouldn't expect the wood to be protected by the stain to any large degree. Its primary function is as decoration only, although it can help to prevent moisture and rot from setting in.
Varnishes, on the other hand, don't penetrate into the pores of the wood. Instead, it creates a topcoat by remaining on the surface where it hardens.
The purpose of varnish is twofold. First, it provides protection. Depending on the type of varnish, this can include protection from UV rays, water, heat, and chemicals. So, it is useful for wooden furniture that will be kept in environments that could cause damage to the wood.
The second purpose of varnish is the wood finish that it provides. Depending on the type of varnish, it can give a glossy, satin, or matte look, all of which will be attractive and appealing.
Often, people choose to use both a wood stain and a wood finish (such as varnish) to reap the benefits of both as much as possible. Of course, if you were hoping for a completely natural finish to highlight the wood's beauty, you would have to stop at the wood stain only. But if you were hoping to enhance the colour and the grain and then also have a layer of varnish over the top, then using both would work well.
You can either buy the wood stain and the wood varnish separately or you can buy products that already have both together.
Wood Stain Versus Paint
Ultimately, the decision to use paint or stain comes down to personal preference but different factors might influence your decision. The biggest difference between the two is that paint will completely cover the natural wood whereas stain will show the wood through.
Paint is also thicker and there tends to be a greater range of colour options and you are more likely to be able to achieve a bold colour look. It can be applied either with a brush or a spray can whereas only some stains give you both options.
Stain, on the other hand, tends to be cheaper than paint and it is generally easier and quicker to apply. Stain will also penetrate into the wood, which will provide more protection against water than paint. And because it penetrates rather than sitting on the surface, it won't peel, crack, or flake in the same way that paint might.
It is also important to remember that while you can paint over stain, you can't stain over paint so taking some time to think about the decision beforehand is always a good idea.
The Benefits Of Wood Stain
We have touched on this a little already, but let's look deeper into the benefits of using a wood stain.
Aesthetics
One of the main reasons why people opt for a wood stain is that it highlight's the wood's grain and its colour. This can give an attractive look to wooden furniture or other pieces. It helps to give a natural feel to the wood that is difficult to achieve with other wood finishes.
UV And Moisture Protection
While wood stains don't provide as much protection as varnishes, they can protect the wood from the sun and moisture. Because the stain penetrates into the wood, it will prevent moisture from getting in and beginning the freeze-thaw cycle, which can damage the wood.
Many wood stains, but not all, will also provide UV protection, making them suitable for outdoor furniture. Oil stain, gel stain, varnish stain, lacquer stain, and metalized dye stain will all provide at least some UV protection.
Rotting Prevention
Because wood stain will help to seal the wood and prevent moisture from getting in, this will help to prevent the wood from growing mould or mildew. These will cause rotting if they are let to grow in the wood and that can mean that the wooden furniture or other pieces will need to be thrown away.
Walking Surfaces
If you have a wooden floor, particularly an outdoor wooden floor such as decking, using a stain is usually a much better option than paint. Unlike paint, stain won't chip or flake over time as people walk over it.
It is also easier to apply and maintain than a paint finish.
How To Apply Wood Stains
With most wood stains, such as oil stains, water-based stains, and gel stains, you can easily apply them as a wood finish at home. It helps if you have a dedicated woodworking area because working with these types of materials and, in particular, wood can be very messy.
To get a decent wood finish, it is always a good idea to spend a decent amount of time preparing the wood before you start. This will ensure that all the stain coats the wood evenly once you come to that stage.
The first thing that you will need to do is to remove any dust or fragments from the wood surface. The best way to do this is to use a natural bristle brush or a synthetic brush to brush the entire surface.
Next, you will need to sand the wood. It is usually better to do this step outside, if possible, because the sanding dust will fly everywhere. It is always best to sand down to clean wood if you have enough because that will give you the best chance of having a smooth surface ready for applying stain. The type of sander you should use will depend on the particular wood, but it is usually best to stay between 100 and 120 grit.
Now you need to remove all of the sanding dust. This is vital because the last thing you want is any dust getting caught in the stain. If you have been sanding inside, wait for all of the dust to settle and then use a vacuum and a tack rag to remove everything that you can.
Next, you need to wet the wood. You don't need to apply a sanding sealer before applying stain. In fact, it is best not to use a sanding sealer because this will blood the wood's pores and prevent the stain from penetrating into the wood.
Wetting the wood, on the other hand, will help to open the pores so that it will accept all the stain. The best way to wet the wood is to wipe the entire surface with a damp or slightly wet vcloth. Another name for this technique is "popping the grain" because it can help to add colour and highlight the natural grain of the wood. You may not need to apply multiple coats using this technique, depending on the wood type.
You may find that you need to lightly sand the wood again at this point if you notice any blemishes that the water has highlighted. These will only get more obvious after applying stain, so it is best to sort them out at this stage rather than later on.
Popping the grain is especially important if you are applying stain to wood that tends to blotch, such as pine, because it lowers the risk of these blotches appearing due to the more even coverage of the stain.
Now, you need to wait for the water to evaporate before applying stain. Make sure that there aren't any puddles left as this will affect the evenness of the stain coverage.
Applying Stain
With most stains, such as oil stains, you can use a foam brush or a lint-free rag to apply stain to the wood. Apply the stain evenly across the wood surface and then immediately wipe the excess off with a clean cloth. Removing the excess is key to ensuring that you have a nice wood finish at the end.
Once this first coat is dry, you can decide if you need to apply a second coat of stain, again with a foam brush or rag. Whether or not you need a second coat will depend on how you want the final top coat to look in terms of colour and it will depend on the type of wood that you are staining.
If you do need to apply a second coat, make sure that the first coat is completely dry before applying stain again.
Applying A Wood Finish
For your woodworking project, that might be the end of the process, especially if you are looking for the natural look that a wood stain will give to the grain. If, on the other hand, you want extra durability and good protection from the elements, you may want to apply wood finishing products.
Different types of wood finishes can provide a different look to your wood and they will also work differently when used as a top coat above different types of stains.
Oil Finish
An oil finish can help to retain the natural look of the wood that you have achieved through staining and can also help to provide extra protection. You can use these on their own without any stain at all and allow the natural wood and grain to show through.
There are lots of different options for oil finishes, including tung oil, Danish oil, and mineral oils. They aren't the most durable of wood finishes so they shouldn't be used for something that will take a lot of wear and tear, such as a kitchen table, but they will work well for other types of furniture such as bookcases or chairs.
Oil finishes are often the best for outdoor furniture because their penetration into the wood provides the most UV protection.
You can use an oil finish over an oil stain to further protect the wood, but they don't work as well over water-based stains. Linseed oil, which is commonly found in oil stain, is a drying oil whereas minerals oils, tung oil, and Danish oil, are all non-drying oils. This means that they will provide an extra oil finish above the stain and make it look richer.
Varnish Finish
Varnish is a clear and transparent wood finish that is semi-gloss and sits on top of the wood surface to provide a hard layer of protection. Varnishing over wood stain can be a good idea because it gives you the best of both worlds. You still get the enhancement of the wood provided by the stain and you also get a shine and the protection of the varnish.
Most varnishes will protect the wood against heat, moisture, and other contaminants. They are also scratch-resistant which makes them perfect for furniture that takes a lot of use, such as a kitchen table. They aren't as suitable for outdoor furniture or flooring, however, because they do little to protect the wood from UV damage.
It is important to check which type of varnish you are using and whether it will work with the stain. For an oil stain, for example, you will need an oil-based varnish because water-based varnish won't interact well with oil stain.
Lacquer Finish
If you want a high gloss look for your wooden furniture, lacquer is usually your best bet. It is a fast-drying wood finish that forms a hard and very shiny top layer. It does tend to scratch easily, however, so isn't as suitable for furniture that will sustain a lot of wear and tear. It is, however, easy to apply either with a brush or by spraying.
Lacquer is solvent-based, so this limits what type of stains it can be used over. It can't be used over oil stain as it will dissolve the stain. It can be used over solvent-based stains, NGR stains, and water-based stains.
Wood Preserve
Wood preserve is specifically designed to prevent rotting and to protect the wood from insect damage, so it is especially useful for outside furniture and features. It can come in either matte or semi-gloss.
What Are The Easiest Woods To Stain?
There is no doubt that some types of wood will accept a wood stain better than others. This is generally due to differences in the size of the pores. Bigger pores will better allow the stain to penetrate into the wood whereas smaller pores may leave it sitting on the surface, making the stain less effective.
Oak
Oak furniture is ever-popular because of the beauty of this wood. And that natural beauty also makes it one of the easiest woods to stain. It has an obvious natural grain pattern which means that the stain will be able to easily highlight the beauty of the wood and it also has large open pores that will accept the stain easily.
Ash
Ashwood is similar to oak in that it has a strong natural grain and large pores which will take stain easily. It tends to be lighter in colour than oak, which will give you a little more versatility in the colours that you choose.
Hickory
Hickory is another wood that can be easy to stain but you have to remember that it needs to be thoroughly sanded beforehand for it to stain evenly.
Chestnut
Chestnut has a striking natural colour that is an even medium brown, so it will often do well with a transparent oil stain, or with a brown or grey coloured stain.
Just as some woods are naturally easy to stain, other woods are naturally difficult to stain. These woods tend to have tighter pores and/or an uneven grain pattern that absorbs stain at different rates and depths. This can leave the stain looking blotchy and uneven.
- Cherry can get blotchy but when it is prepared properly it will take a stain colour well, and it tolerates darker stains better than many other kinds of wood.
- Maple has both tight pores and an uneven grain pattern which can make it difficult to stain.
- Pine is light and has unevenly dense grain so if it is stained using a darker colour, it will be very obviously blotchy around the knots and blemishes.
- Poplar is one of the softest hardwoods and it takes stain unevenly due to differences in its grain pattern. It also has a high amount of natural colour variation which can make it very difficult to achieve an even stain.
Popular Stain Colours
Just like any aspect of home decoration or interior design, wood stain colours come and go in popularity depending on what's currently in style. For example, dark stained oak tends to come across as very 80s and it is more in style right now to use a lighter more neutral stain for oak.
It is also important to remember that stains will look very different depending on the type of wood you paint them onto. Just like when you dye your hair, the same colour will look different on light wood compared to dark wood.
And you definitely don't have to follow the stain colour fashion if you don't want to. Natural coloured wood is absolutely timeless so using a stain that simply enhances the colour of the wood while highlighting the grain will always look good.
Bold Colours
When you stain wood, you aren't just limited to natural wood colours. And people are enjoying taking advantage of that at the moment by using bold bright colours to stain their wood. You can think of this as a bit of a backlash against the minimal neutral styles that have dominated for the last decade or so.
So, if you enjoy adding a splash of colour and personality to your living space, you can do just that with a bold coloured stain.
Black
On the opposite side of the spectrum, black stained wood is also becoming more popular. This is a stain colour that should definitely be used sparingly so as not to make the space too heavy, but it can be truly striking when used for key pieces of furniture.
White
For outdoor furniture, white is one of the most popular stain colour choices. It can help your outdoor area to have a beachy look by mimicking the look of bleached driftwood and it can also be a romantic choice when paired with some beautiful floral areas and displays.
Grey
Grey as an accent colour has been popular for a little while now and you can help to make this colour pop by using it to stain your wooden floor or furniture. Some people are opting for a mix of browns and greys to help bring out the natural beauty of the wood while still hitting those grey notes.
Blue
Blue is a gorgeously retro colour that has tonnes of appeal. Using blue for your kitchen cabinets will make your kitchen look both modern and vintage and will help it to feel welcoming.
How To Care For Stained Wood
You should expect to have to re-stain wood around once every one to two years. A good stain will maintain the natural look of the wood without showing any blotches or blemishes on the surface for a long time but if you think it could do with re-staining sooner than it is always best to just go ahead and do it.
Any stained wood surface should be cleaned regularly. Dusting the surface and/or making sure that it is free from dirt and grime using a brush is essential for maintaining the look of the stain. Cleaning with a homemade solution of 1/4 cup of soap and 1tbsp of oil can help to clean the surface and maintain the shine and look of the stain.
There is always the potential for something to mark the wood, however, and there are a few methods for dealing with this.
Watermarks And Heat Marks On Stained Wood
Watermarks are the bane of wooden furniture, and you may worry that the watermarks on your wood surface are permanent. There are a few different methods for removing watermarks, however, that can have some good results. If the water rings are dark, they may have reached further into the wood's surface than can be removed with these methods. In this case, you may have to re-stain and finish the wood.
Vinegar And Olive Oil
This method works best on watermarks. Combine equal parts vinegar and olive oil and use a cloth to wipe the solution over the wood's surface. The vinegar will help to lift the watermark while the olive oil will help to restore the shine to your furniture.
An Iron
This method won't work as well if the watermark is completely dry but if it is still wet, you can use a normal iron to help to lift the stain. Empty the iron of water and lay a dry and blank cotton cloth over the watermark. Heat the iron up to a low temperature and press it against the cloth, lifting it every few seconds to check the stain.
Toothpaste And Baking Soda
This method works best on white water rings, and it can also be effective on heat marks. Mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda and rub them into the stain then rub it into the stain until it disappears. Wipe it away and buff the wood with a dry cloth.
Hairdryer
This method works best on wet stains. Plug the hairdryer in and set it to its highest temperature. Point it at the wood surface where the stain is forming, and blow dry it until the stain disappears. Then use olive oil, tung oil, Danish oil, or any other oil to add some shine back into the wood.
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
We all have a tub of Vaseline in our bathrooms, and this is a situation where it might come in very handy. This method works best on watermarks and stains. Dab it into the stain, leave overnight, and then rub off the next morning with a clean cloth.
Mayonnaise
This might seem like quite a strange idea, but the high levels of oil found in mayonnaise can make it an effective method of removing watermarks and stains. Dab it onto the stain, leave it for a few hours or overnight, and then clean it off. Make sure that you clean the area thoroughly, however, so that the mayonnaise doesn't start to smell.
Bleach For Dark Patches
There is one method that could remove the dark patches from old water stains on your wood and that involves the use of bleach. You can buy wood bleach specifically for this purpose and that is generally your best bet because it will be formulated correctly to not damage the wood underneath. It is always best to do a patch test on an inconspicuous spot before you start working on the main part of the surface just in case the bleach reacts and causes a stain on the wood.
Spray or dab the bleach onto the dark patch and leave it for half an hour or so before wiping it off with a damp cloth. You may need to repeat this method a few times before you start to see results.
Sticky Marks
Sticky marks on your furniture, from glue or another material, can be quite difficult to remove. In this situation, oil is your best friend. Any sort of oil would work well, including olive oil and vegetable oil. Rub it into the glue and sticky residue and then leave it for a few hours or overnight. Clean it off thoroughly with soap and water and the glue should come away with it. If the wood surface isn't varnished, the oil may stain the wood.
Sanding
The last resort for a very stubborn stain is to sand the area lightly to remove it. This method will only work if it is a surface stain as stains that have penetrated into the wood will be too far down for you to sand them off entirely. If this method doesn't work and you can still see the stain, it may be time to re-do the entire surface of the wood with a stain or paint and a finish.
The Bottom Line
Wood stains are a great option for many wood surfaces, both as decoration and as some amount of protection. There are different types of stain that work well for different wood types and situations, and it is entirely possible to put a wood finish over the stain to further protect and enhance the wood. Applying stain can be relatively easy, depending on the type that you are using, and it is quite simple to maintain. If you want to celebrate your wooden furniture or other house and garden features, stain will help to showcase all of its natural beauty!
What Is Wood Stain Used For? is courtesy of Homes Direct 365 Limited
from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/what-is-wood-stain-used-for/
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