The kind of wood you will be working with and also the object itself will determine which type of timber stain you need. Staining is a quick and easy way to update furniture and breathe newer life into old pieces. Preserve items from the landfill and transform family heirlooms with some TLC. Learn which stains are appropriate for certain types of projects. There are many different finishes and colors so that you can achieve specific looks.



Wood Stains

Colored sealants, aka wood stains, offer protection when they are applied. They are lighter than paints and meant to soak pigment into the fibers within the wood. The chemical response with solvent brings about the binding process. Once the stain cures or dries, the colour joins to the wood. There are many distinctive kinds of wood stains. Interior wood stains will allow you to refinish that table or your kitchen table and chairs. Wood stains are designed for different applications. There are different wood stains that vary by their solvent base.

Oil-Based Stains

Interior oil-based stain is usually what springs to mind when people hear “wood stain.” These materials are all around and simple to use. These stains include noxious chemicals. You should definitely invest in a respirator mask to wear since oil-based products contain many harsh chemicals.

Formulated with a linseed oil binder, this permits one to easily clean up before the product dries. Oil-based stains can be implemented with a rag, or a cloth, or a brush.

Oil-based stains breathe fresh life into wood furniture. With a slower drying time, it will be possible to achieve a uniform finish. Oil products soak into the wood more intensely than water-based selections. It offers a rich colouring that is capable of growing warmer with added coats.

These stains present excellent surface adhesion and resistance to peeling. The reason people enjoy this product is that you don’t need to take off the previous finish entirely before using it. Use mineral spirits to thin the existing layer.

Water-Based Stains

Water-based interior stains dehydrate fast and are a breeze to clean up. They depend on water as the binding agent. This really makes the product easy to thin out or clean up with water. These stains are better for the atmosphere in comparison to oil-based products. Resistant against mold and mildew, water-based stains are fantastic for many applications. Water-based stains are perfect for small projects because of fast drying time. Simply apply with a brush or a rag. This stain is not going to penetrate the wood really deep. This lets you obtain a light shade or add more coats to achieve a darker option. When possible, apply directly on raw wood that doesn’t have any finish.

Varnish

Varnish is utilized generally for only a finish or top coat. These products are available as shellac, polyurethane, or lacquer. Your varnish may possibly consist of polyurethane, lacquer, or shellac. Varnish produces a hard, transparent finish ideal for sealing wood. It generates a transparent, protective coat. It seals in the stain and wraps up your project. There's not much color presented by varnishes. Varnishes incorporate a thinner or solvent mixed with resin and drying oil. This variety of stain is a bit thicker in uniformity when compared with oil-based stains. These products take around four to six hours to dry completely. Varnish is highly moisture-resistant in comparison to lacquer and is capable of being applied to every interior wood item.

Gel-Based Stains

Gel stains fall in between traditional stain and paint. The products enable the natural markings and the elegance of the grains to occur through the wood. This product is similar to oil-based products and requires mineral spirits for cleanup. Another advantage of gel stains is that they take less time to prepare compared to regular stains and paints. Easy to apply, gel stains are messy and thick to do business with. For your best application success, use a rag or a cloth to apply the gel stain. Gel stains absolutely are a wise choice for wood that is subject to blotchy finishes such as pine and is a good choice for staining pine flooring and pine furniture pieces. The blotchy effect originates from different densities connected with resin deposits throughout the wood.



Lacquer

Lacquer features a strong finish with an rigorous shine. It is the protective topcoat that is put on at the end of the job. When the staining is done, the lacquer is the last item you apply to safeguard and seal the project. It is implemented with spray equipment and dries extremely fast. Often used for trim, mouldings, interior woodworking, woodworking, cabinetry, etc. Lacquer isn't made for exterior use.

Food-Grade Finishes

If you happen to be refinishing a kitchen table, island, or bar counter top, make sure you use products that are considered food-grade safe. Read the labels to determine if your oil-based or water-based product meets the grade. Don’t panic if you accidentally discover you chose a non-food-grade-safe product. Simply get creative with some placemats or a tablecloth to put some distance between the chemicals and your food.