Updated on Home Improvement

Choose the right products for staining your furniture

You can restore a ruined finish to a family heirloom or stain it a different colour.

The wood stain changes the color while still allowing the grain to show through. The staining of wood furniture can also protect them from heat, moisture, UV rays, and scratches.

The staining process uses colorants and pigments mixed with oils, water, gels, alcohols or other solvents to preserve wood. Wood stains are often combined with varnish and topcoats such as waxes, varnishes or rubbed oils.

Visit Rough River Hardware now. We will help you choose the best stain for your project.

You can narrow your choices by asking yourself the following questions:

  1. What kind of wood will you be staining and why?
  2. Are you staining finished furniture or raw wood?
  3. Looking for an anti-staining product that is safe to use on furniture used by children?
  4. What is your preference?
  5. Do you want to stain interior or exterior furnishings?
  6. Would you like your furniture stained in light or dark color?
  7. What colour do you wish your wood to have?

What is better, a water-based or oil-based stain?

Decide first what color you would like your furniture. Imagine how your chosen stain will look with the rest of the furniture.

Remember that different types of wood look differently with the same color stain. Test a few colors in a non-obvious area first.

Both interior and exterior furnishings can be stained with oil and water-based stains. Many water-based wood stains are now available. Traditionally, oil-based stains were used. The water-based stain will be better for you and the environment. It also makes it easier to clean.

The stains will help protect the wood, but they need to be covered with a protective topcoat for better moisture protection.

For best results, apply stain according to the temperature and humidity levels recommended. Let the first coat dry completely before adding a second or topcoat.

Benefits of water-based stains

  • Drying time: 1 to 2 Hours
  • Low-odor
  • Colors available in a wide range
  • Colors that are rich and vibrant
  • Spray on Easy or Brush on
  • Environmentally friendly
  • VOC Compliant
  • Nonflammable
  • Clean up with water

What you need to know about water-based stains

  • The dark water-based stains appear much darker than the oil-based ones

Benefits of oil-based stains

  • Hand application is better for oil stains
  • It is ideal for wood (oak and maple) as it shows grain.
  • Deep penetration for greater protection
  • The smoother the finish, the better.
  • The new oil-based stains are faster drying and require only a single coat.

What you need to know about oil-based stains

  • You may need to wait longer to dry some items: between 24 and 72 hours
  • Wood may require more sanding
  • Stronger odor
  • Can’t support as much color
  • Lighter colors are more suitable.
  • Combustible
  • Needs proper ventilation
  • Solvents are required for cleaning
  • Cleaning up requires additional work

Advantages of using gel stain

  • Gel stain stays on vertical surfaces better than liquid stain because it is thicker.
  • The color is rich and even, especially when wood grain has uneven texture, such as pine.
  • It doesn’t need as much sanding

What you need to know about Gel Stain

  • Drying time between coats is longer
  • It is not recommended to use on wood that has a textured grain as the gel may pool in small crevices and cause dark spots.
  • Some hardwoods are less likely to show the grain.
  • The gel stain can be water-based or oil-based

Unfinished wood vs. Finished Furniture

Unfinished Wood

Have you constructed a piece of brand new furniture from wood that you choose yourself? You may have purchased furniture that is not stained. You will have to sand your wood either way before staining it. A pre-stain conditioner ensures a uniformly stained appearance.

What will it look like on raw wood?

You will want to choose a stain that is suitable for the type of wood with which you’re working. Consider the density of your wood to determine its ability to absorb stain. Maple and cherry, for example, are harder to stain due to their uneven density. The wood grain will be tighter if it is a dense material. This means that the stain won’t soak into the wood as much and may result in uneven patches.

How to stain a piece of finished furniture

You will first need to strip the furniture of its original finish. In a well ventilated room, use an environmentally friendly solvent furniture stripper, a sander or sandpaper, or a chemical stripper. Chemical strippers can be hazardous to both your health and the environment. Water-based stain and varnish removers are less toxic and safer than chemical strips.

Wear protective gear and work in an area that is well ventilated to avoid inhaling dust and fumes. Even though there are many low-VOC products available, you should always protect yourself with protective eyewear and gloves.

Finishing Your Staining Project

polyurethane gloss comes in oil or water-based formulas. It will provide your furniture with a topcoat that is durable and available in glossy, flat or satin sheen. The top coat will protect the furniture both indoors and out. These top coats will help to prevent watermarks, scratches and stains.

Shellac Did you know shellac comes from resin produced by the Lac bug? Shellac, an old finisher’s standard that is still used today by antique restorers, is typically thinned with alcohol before being applied to wood.

Laquer This popular sealant for wood is made from nitrocellulose. With a glossy or matt finish, your furniture is well-protected. The fumes can be very strong.

Finishing Wax gives your furniture an even richer and more glossy look. The majority of waxes contain a combination of carnauba and/or beeswax, along with other ingredients like boiled linseed. There are also waxes that do not contain solvents. These can be made from safflower, hempseed and other natural oils.

Oils– Another option to refinish your wooden furniture is wood oil. The oil soaks into the wood easily and forms a protective layer that is resistant to dirt and water after several hours. There are also non-toxic and food-safe oils.

Different types of wood oils:

  • Danish Oil, a wood protectant that has been used for many years, is simple to use, dries quickly, and will give your furniture an attractive, natural appearance.
  • The boiled linseed is an attractive and protective finish that can be used alone or in combination with other products for a unique finish.
  • Use teak oil on both indoor and outdoor furnishings to protect and beautify them.
  • The furniture will have a low sheen similar to that of a waxy finish. You will protect your furniture from water and moisture.

Visit Rough River Hardware to find out more about staining products to finish your furniture.

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