Stain for wood: main types and subtleties of their use

Wood is widely used in construction and in the manufacture of furniture. This material is easily adversely affected by external factors, so it needs extra protection. Of the funds available on the market only stain for wood retain the texture and beauty of the surface, creating a natural decorative coating. This article describes all existing types of formulations, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Features stain for wood: for what it is and what properties

Wood has a natural beauty and warmth, ecological compatibility and the ability to create around him comfort. To keep all these material properties and prolong its service life, special funds are used, including the present and stains.

These compositions improve the decorative quality of wood, as well as provide protection against various pests and adverse environmental factors. Before we proceed to select a suitable option, you need to understand what the stain and what is its purpose.

What is a stain for wood: for what it is and what functions

Stain (stain) - special means for processing wood. Most often, the composition is sold in liquid form, but in rare cases it can be in the form of a dry powder. Mostly dark stain. It is used to make wood different translucent colors. It is absolutely not change the texture of the material and its natural picture as a means only penetrates the topsheet. Stain the natural beauty of wood and adds to its attractive sides.

Useful advice!To choose the right shade of pine stain, you can "turn" the budget material in the more expensive types of wood, for example, dark oak or ebony.

This tool allows you to not only change the appearance of the material, but also protect it from the damaging effects of external factors. That versatility stains provided it so popular.

Why stain for wood? This composition is applied in the following cases:

1. Toning material retaining its texture and pattern of wood - composition lifts the fiber material without changing drastically its natural pattern.
2. Bleaching of wood - this property is used in the recovery and restoration of damaged and old products made of wood. Such stains are also used in cases when it is required to make the material lighter shade or prepare the surface to color varnishing.
3. Imitation of elite breeds of wood on the budget materials.
4. Protection material from damage by parasites - antiseptic properties stain prevent the development of putrefactive processes (elimination of fungi, bacteria and molds) and reproduction of insect pests.
5. Strengthening material structure.
6. Moisture timber - mordant material protects against the negative effects of moisture, and some species formulations create on the surface a water-repellent layer (part).
7. The extension of the operational life of the wood.
8. Creating the effect of finishing using different types of wood by combining colors.

The better treated wood: paint, varnish, stain or varnish

Stain is used by professionals and home craftsmen as a means to make the texture of wood. Getting deep material composition tonirujushchim its inside. It does not close the pores of natural wood, which helps protect it from destruction and decay, to preserve the natural pattern.

Linseed has similar properties, but the film is formed after the treatment on the wood surface. This tool is not able to penetrate deeply into the pores of the material, but it is well outside of their overlaps. Unlike stain linseed oil can not be used as an independent means for finishing. It is designed for the preparation of wood before staining.

Useful advice! If the wood before painting process using linseed oil, it will not only improve the result, but also will reduce the amount of dye needed for this procedure.

Very different from the stain varnish for wood. It forms a stable film material surface. Moreover, the formation of the protective layer occurs only after the solvent being in its composition, evaporates completely. Oil-based varnish after drying to form a surface film having strength and elasticity. This coating is quite difficult to remove, even with white spirit.

Like any other finishing option varnish will be updated periodically, for which purpose the previous layer to be removed. It requires some effort, so the paint is used in cases where the effects of weather conditions on the timber is too aggressive and apply stain inappropriate.

Paint used as finishing, it is fairly common. It is used for the treatment of various wood products, starting from the floor covering, ending furniture and window frames. This means forming on the treated surface a dense opaque film. Paintwork completely hides the natural pattern on wood. This differs from the dye stains.

Coloring compositions, unlike the stains are not able to give the wood a natural shade. 2-3 years many types of coatings lose their properties, reduced strength properties. During operation, the surface cracks, the paint starts slazit. To update finish, have to remove the previous layer completely.

The main types of stains: the classification of trains

Available are a wide number of stains used for processing articles of wood. Existing types of compositions can be divided into groups based on:

• operating conditions (indoors or outdoors);
• basis or composition (aqueous and non-stain wood);
• effect, which creates a stain on the surface of the material after its treatment;
• price category.

The most important selection criterion is the conditions under which will be operated stain. The composition of funds to be used for the treatment of surfaces within the house must not be harmful components. Wood in the room is subjected to the negative influence of atmospheric factors, so there is no need to use stable stains containing toxic substances. For this purpose, suitable water-based solutions.

As part of the stains for exterior wood components are present, aimed at improving the performance characteristics of the coating. After the surface treatment of wood using acquires the ability to resist the adverse effects of ultraviolet light and moisture. For outdoor applications are more suited wax and oil stains.

Important! Stains for wood, water-based can not be used outdoors. Such compositions are not suitable for exterior use.

For water stains for wood compositions are made of water-based acrylic. In the category of non-aqueous agents include alcohol, oil and wax stain. Additionally, the market can meet other embodiments stains, for example rustic, gel, and so on. N. Each type of structure has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when choosing the right tools for the treatment of wood.

Characteristics of water-based stains for wood

Stains with water-based - the most popular and common form of compositions for wood. These means may be in several forms. The buyer can purchase a solution that is ready to use. In addition, there are commercially available powders and concentrates. They need to be diluted in accordance with the instructions immediately before use.

Powder stain in diluted form before applying definitely need to strain. This is done so that the work surface does not hit the pigment particles that are not dissolved before the end. If the composition does not drain, the surface of the painting will not be uniform. Powder means are good in that on their basis can prepare a solution of various concentrations, achieving the desired color (dark or light).

Liquid stain water-based is sold in containers of different sizes. Such formulations are already completely ready to use and does not require additional training. On the other hand, they have a small minus. Liquid stain has a certain color, which can not be changed.

Benefits stains with water-based:

• reasonable price;
• low consumption;
• Easy application system that does not require special knowledge and skills;
• environmental friendliness;
• absence of odor and harmful substances.

These compositions are ideally suited for the treatment of wood indoors. Buying a water stain, be sure to keep in mind that this type of impregnation is not able to radically change the coloring of the processed material. The solution stains the wood to darker tone and makes the color more intense. The composition is applied in several layers.

There is another feature of water Brush tables, which affects the result of staining. The solution permeates the timber, thus raising its fiber that allows to achieve textural effect. On the one hand, it preserves the natural pattern, on the other - reduces the service life of wood products.

Useful advice!To prolong the life of the tree in the processing of water-stain before it the application of the material surface should be plain water to soak. In this form, the product should be left for a day and then walk on it with sandpaper and cover stain.

The main advantages of alcohol stains for wood

Mordants, which is taken as a basis for the alcohol can be both liquid and dry. For breeding powder used means ethyl alcohol. The main advantage of these compositions is their rapid drying. For this reason, an alcohol-based stains are widely used for exterior applications. It is also possible the processing of wood indoors, but need to take into account that these funds have a specific sharp odor. Therefore, during the application Beitz necessarily need to ensure the room is well ventilated.

Quick drying alcohol stains can be regarded not only as an advantage, but also as a drawback. Spread evenly over the surface of the composition with a brush rather difficult, so you have to use the gun, which is associated with additional costs.

Alcohol stain have good penetrating power. They deeply impregnated wood structure, thereby providing protection from the sun and material moisture. The benefits of an alcohol-based stains include and a huge variety of shades. Despite this, these formulations are not as popular as water-based solutions. The fact that working with them requires the right equipment as well as specific skills and experience. Besides the cost of alcohol stains are much higher.

The specificity of stains for wood, oil-based

Oily components contained in such stains, may be natural (produced based on linseed oil) or synthetic. In addition, in their composition contains dyes, which are soluble in the varnish. If the stain has a thick consistency, it can be diluted. For this purpose, suitable drying oil or mineral spirits. They can be used to manufacture solutions of varying consistency, to achieve the desired shade timber during processing.

Stains of oil-based penetrating deep into the wood, impregnating it well structure. After processing the material at its surface does not leave streaks. For dyeing wood using oil-based stain it is desirable to use a brush. This type of impregnation provides excellent protection against the negative effects of moisture and from damage by insects, wood borers.

Benefits Brush tables based on oil:

• environmental friendliness;
• absence of harmful impurities;
• Excellent penetrating ability;
• coating retains color fastness for a long time;
• no unpleasant odor;
• treated surface becomes moisture-proof properties.

Useful advice! Experts recommend using oil stains for wood and parquet flooring, as well as furniture.

Oil-based muds are suitable for both interior and exterior work, because the coating is not afraid of direct sunlight and not burn out. For the application of means can be used all kinds of painting tools. With this work, even a novice can handle. Oil stains for wood have disadvantages. The main disadvantages of these compositions include a very long drying time, as well as their high cost.

Related article:

Acrylic paint for wood: eco-friendly and decorative surface protection

Characteristics and composition. The scope of use of the material. Recommendations on the choice of paint. Technology coloring acrylic composition.

Advantages and disadvantages of processing wood stain based on wax

Mordants made based wax appeared recently. The composition of these modern tools is significantly improved, so producers have managed to get rid of many of the shortcomings that have classical solutions.

Wax stains belong to the category of non-aqueous vehicles. They have a poor penetrating ability of forming on the surface of the wood thin protective layer as a film. Due to this feature wax compositions can be safely used as decorative coatings for exterior applications. They serve as an excellent base for paint.

Such stain can be applied on top of the other impregnation. Specialists often use a soft wax to surface treatment, which has previously been stained with stains. This is done in order to improve the performance characteristics of the coating.

Benefits stains made on the basis of wax:

1. The ability to mask minor surface defects, e.g., uneven coloration, which was made previously.
2. Reliable protection of wood from the influence of external factors.
3. Environmental cleanliness.
4. Security.

Wax Brush tables Disadvantages:

1. The compositions are not able to penetrate deeply into the wood structure.
2. The treated surface can not be stained bicomponent cover Lakirev acid composition or curing agent based on polyurethane.
3. High price.

Note!The protective film is substantially impermeable, so the wood surface will not be able to "breathe". Although this lack of notice, not all the master, perhaps it depends on the brand of wax Beitz.

Oil-wax stain for wood: pros and cons

natural ingredients used for making oil-wax stains, however the present compositions are ecologically clean. Of course, this fact has affected the value of Brush tables, which is quite high. Despite this, the stains made in the oil-wax-based, not without advantages. Advantages of oil-wax formulations are numerous:

1. During processing, stained wood is impregnated with moisture.
2. The composition can be used not only for tinting wood, but also to restoration as it is capable of removing small surface defects.
3. Oil-wax compositions can be tinted. Adding the dye solution stains hue change.
4. When applying the composition is distributed evenly over the surface, forming a thin protective film layer.
5. Stains are resistant to UV, so the coating for a long time retains its original color.
6. Wood treated with oil-wax stain, does not require additional lacquering.

Oil-wax Stain takes a long time to dry. This is one of the most important of their disadvantages.

Characteristics of modern stains on wood in the form of gels

Mordants gels have a thick consistency, so their application to special surface swabs used. Such tools are ideal for the coating and protection of soft wood. After drying the treated surface becomes firmer.

On sale there are stains in the form of gels only foreign manufacturers. These formulations are suitable for both exterior and for interior works. They are used for toning all surfaces. Gel stains are suitable even for the treatment of wooden floors in areas with high traffic.

Features stains gels:

1. After treatment the surface becomes saturated hue, good emphasizes the natural wood pattern.
2. Unlike the solutions of liquid consistency, gel stain after processing it does not remain on the surface streaks because this agent is uniformly distributed.
3. Gel stain have excellent hiding power, which is twice that of liquid consistency compositions.
4. Stains based gel does not lift the wood fibers.
5. Means very fast drying. If required, apply a second layer of a gel stain, it can be done later, 2 hours after the initial treatment.

Among the disadvantages of the gel timber means for toning including high cost, and rather limited range, which, incidentally, is gradually increasing.

Useful advice! Using mordants gel can create realistic imitation of real wood to the steel surface.

Features and benefits of acrylic stains for wood

To produce acrylic stains manufacturers use acrylic resins. Means produced in the form of an emulsion, which facilitates the process of applying. Getting on the surface of the wood, it penetrates deep into its structure. Stains on acrylic basis have a very wide palette of colors, so customers do not have problems with choosing the right shade.

The advantages of acrylic stains:

1. Thanks to the antiseptic properties of the composition of the treated wood is protected from insects, mold and other microorganisms.
2. The coating exhibits resistance to UV and moisture protecting the wood from the damaging effects of these factors.
3. As part of acrylic stains are no toxic substances, therefore they have no smell, besides the impregnation fireproof.
4. Acrylic solutions do not cause damage to the environment and is completely harmless to human health.
5. These emulsions have good adhesive properties, so they can be used to process any wooden surface, including plywood.
6. Stain deeply impregnated wood.

On the downside can be attributed only to the high cost of acrylic stains. The high cost of different quality emulsion.

What stain for wood is better: a list of popular manufacturers, and prices for the products

The market offers a huge variety of stains from different manufacturers, so before buyers faces a tough choice. And the price is not always an indicator of quality. Many of the compositions at a reasonable cost can give excellent results and have excellent properties.

Table with prices for wood stains:

Manufacturer	price, rub.
"Novbythim"	60
"Rainbow"	130
Tikkurila Pirtti	600
Coswick Wood Stain	1200
Varathane	1400
Zar	from 1760

What stain for wood is better: the most popular company

Strong demand from consumers for stain "Novbythim". Formulations Water-based, produced by this manufacturer, have no odor and after treatment is formed on the surface of the wood wear resistant coating. This product has a rich palette of colors and can be used for tinting of various products:

• baseboards;
• door panels;
• casings;
• railings;
• boards and t. d.

Note! water-based stain manufacturer 'Novbythim "can be used in decoupage.

To protect the wood products from mold and mildew the best one is considered to be stain "Rainbow 21". As part of this acrylic Beitz contains special components. The tool is characterized by splendid adhesive properties and can be used for processing different types of wood.

If you want to get some shade, buyers give preference to wood Mordant "Tikkurila Pirtti". Adding to this colorless composition corresponding pigment, can get any color. The manufacturer offers a 36 Translucent shades.

For pure natural color, you can use an oil stain Varathane. It is made clear on the basis of soybean oil and thus is capable of deep enough to penetrate deep into the material.

Among the best were also alcohol stains Coswick Wood Stain. With these compositions can be treated with an end of the material during installation of parquet floors. Impregnation good camouflage chips and minor scratches, they combine perfectly with the varnish.

Versatile choice for interior and exterior stain is considered quick-Zar. leveling structure is one of the main advantages of the composition. After processing, the tree does not remain spots and streaks.

No less demand on the market and other manufacturers: Liberon, Zerwood, Minwax, «Apex», Pinotex Interior, «BIOTEX Universal», Krafor, Belinka "Lateko" and "Herlak".

How to make a stain for wood in the home

Most of stains are composed of the solvent and the natural pigment, so dyeing agent timber can be produced independently.

Homemade stain come in several forms:

• plant-based components;
• based on synthetic material;
• based foods.

Additionally, for staining wood chemicals can be used in the home. For example, slaked lime ennoble oak brown coloring. If this remedy to treat walnut wood acquires a greenish tint.

Useful advice! For bleaching of wood, you can use an ordinary hydrogen peroxide.

How to make your own hands stain for wood plant-based

Pigments contained in plants, are suitable for tinting wood. If applied to the surface of the broth, made from larch bark, it will acquire a reddish tint. The lighter the wood, the more contrast and brighter will be the result. It is best to shade appears on products made from birch. Golden hue can be obtained using onion peel. This option is suitable only for light wood.

Versatile tool for toning is a walnut shells. With its help, you can get different shades. The color depends on the amount of this ingredient in the stain. To start the shell finely milled to a fine powder. She then added to boiling water and heat for 12 languishes min. The resulting broth sure to drain and add baking soda.

If the surface of the impregnated broth from walnut shell, apply also dichromate solution, it is possible to achieve a reddish hue. Processing of painted wood with acetic acid give a grayish color. For black used broths made from the bark of oak and alder or willow. Golden yellow hue give the fruits of buckthorn. They should be underripe.

Brown hue may be prepared by mixing the following components:

• oak bark;
• alder catkins;
• willow bark;
• walnut shell.

All the ingredients are combined in equal proportions. To prepare the stain to soak them in cold water, then bring to a boil. Some time must broth languish on fire, then adds soda after 10 minutes. it is removed from the stove.

There is another way of cooking stains for shading brown. To do this, use a decoction of walnut shells and apple bark. If you add the alum, you can get richer and darker shade.

How to make your own hands stain-based foods and synthetic materials

Pigments are contained in foods. To give the wood a brown hue, you can use the coffee. Stain manufactured on the basis of ground grains and baking soda. Permitted to use the instant coffee. To prepare the stain must be strong brew grains or granules, then thoroughly soak the wood this means.

Brown shade can also be obtained by means of welding. As part of tea contains theanine. This component gives the wood a natural brown color. Moreover, saturation of color depends on how strongly brewed tea.

ebony effect is obtained with the help of vinegar. To prepare the solution needed metal parts. Small pieces of metal filled with vinegar, then they should be left in the dark for at least 48 hours.

Note! The longer insist the solution, the richer and darker the color of the stain. This is not to keep the metal parts in the vinegar over a week, but because of the pungent smell of processing to perform better on the street.

Dark shades of brown color and cherry in the home can be obtained using potassium permanganate solution. To this should be diluted in 1 liter of warm water to 50 g of powder. After 5 min. after treatment of wood with this solution the surface is wiped with a soft cloth. To get a more intense and darker shade, this procedure must be repeated. Potassium permanganate quickly fade in the sun. If it is used as a stain for wood surface material is required to cover the protective agent.

To give a grassy tint tree, it should be treated with the addition of acetic essence copperhead (60 g). Before use, the solution should be boiled for 10 min.

As dye stain wood: applying different embodiments of compositions

A method of applying stain depends on its type. For wood used different tools: sponge, foam, fabric swabs, brushes, spray guns (gun), paint rollers.

Table tools for applying stain:

Type of stain	Recommended tools
acrylic	Wide brush with natural bristles
Nitromorilka	airbrush
oil	Tampons-free cloth, brush
water	Swabs, brushes with bristles made of synthetic material, paint roller
The alcohol	airbrush

Pets masters use embodiment two treatment. In the former case, the composition is applied to the wood surface with excess, and all the excess is removed with a swab. This technique is mainly used when working with water-based stains on. It allows smooth color transitions and achieve bright flat colors, and eliminates the possibility of the appearance of stains.

If the tool is used as a tampon, the composition is applied in a circular motion. With a brush and a paint roller is carried Beitza longitudinal drawing. Then the excess removed by tampons. Wiping structure runs along the fibers. After the top layer is dry, applied second. The procedure is repeated until then, until you reach the required color saturation.

The second method, which does not involve the subsequent removal of the surplus for the application of stains based on oil, acrylic and wax. This will keep the color depth.

Note! When using the composition appeared slight defects, partially permitted wiping excess in those areas where there are errors. This is done only after the bulk of the stain will be absorbed.

How to cover the wood stain: a preparatory stage dyeing

To stain the result is high-quality, the base must be absolutely clean. New products made of wood, do not need additional training. Over surfaces that have already been in operation, it is necessary to work, especially if they were covered with varnish or paint. Before tinting old covering sure you want to delete. Special washing will help get rid of the varnish.

You can also take advantage of the thermal and mechanical methods:

1. The painted surface is treated with an organic solvent, after which the old coating is removed with a spatula.
2. This method is used in cases when it is required to remove a thick layer of dye. To begin the surface plentifully moisten with a special stripper and covered with cellophane. After 24 h, the package is removed, the softened paint layer is removed by using a grinding machine, a spatula or a knife.
3. Soften old paint layer can also be via a building dryer or a blowtorch. For this coating thoroughly warming up, and then it is removed spatula. If paint is used to soften the blow lamp, wood pre-moistened with water. This will avoid the risk of fire.

The remnants of the old varnish or paint must be removed with sandpaper. If there are defects on the surface, such as cracks, they must be repaired plaster and clean. You also need to get rid of knots and protruding fibers. Before dye stain softwood, should be removed from the surface of the resin. For this purpose a special composition.

Formulations of compositions for degumming softwood:

1. Dissolved in water (750 ml), acetone (250 g).
2. Caustic soda (50 g) and 1 L of water.
3. Soda ash (60 g) and potassium carbonate (50 g) was dissolved in 1 liter of water.

Any of these solutions were aged for 30 min. on the surface of the wood, and then washed off, and the material is dried.

Important! If the tree is moist or wet, it must be dried before applying the stain, otherwise not be able to achieve high-quality coloring.

How to use stain at home

To begin to test-dyed, to determine how much will need to apply the layers to achieve the desired color of the solution. From this will depend on the flow of the stain. You will need a small plate made of the same wood as the surface to be processed.

Test staining is done in the following order:

1. The surface plates is polished.
2. Harvesting stain covered.
3. It kept the time required to complete drying of the composition.
4. Is applied another layer of stain. In this case, the plate is covered only 2/3 of its area.
5. After complete drying of one layer is applied Beitz, but this time the coverage should not exceed 1/3 of the plank.

After the third layer has dried, it is possible to evaluate the appearance of each of the colored zones and decide which one is most suitable hues.

How dry stains for wood of different kinds:

Type of stain	complete drying time, h
The alcohol	0,5
gel	2
acrylic	4-5
water	10-12
oil	12-14
wax	10-15

Consumption stain depends on its type. Also of considerable importance is the method of application and the quality of surface preparation.

Useful advice!Even the experts are not able to accurately calculate the amount of solution required for coloring, especially if you have to handle a large area. Therefore, it is desirable to buy a train with a small margin.

Consumption of different types of stains:

Type of stain	The amount of solution required for treatment with 1 m², g
The alcohol and water	50-70
acrylic	120
oil	150

How to cover the wood stain and varnish: the application of technology

Before you get started, all parts of the product that will not be treated, it is necessary to cover the film. To protect the edges, you can use masking tape. The technology depends on the type of stain, and the selected tool. This may be spraying, rubbing, application with a paint roller, brush or swab.

Principles applying stain:

1. Application stain is carried out exclusively in the direction of the wood fibers. Likewise is performed and removing excess.
2. If desired, to obtain a deep shade saturated composition may be applied in 2-3 layers.
3. If shading is performed in one layer, it is desirable to use a small amount of stain. After the coating dries, the wood surface to be treated with sandpaper and polished to a smooth condition.
4. After drying the coating is processed by the coarse fabric in the direction along the fibers or diagonally.
5. If the stain area is very large, it is better to divide it into several parts and handle them in turn.
6. The aqueous stain can be diluted with water, and stains for use in an oil-based white spirit.
7. It is not necessary to type in the instrument too much stain, it can affect the quality of the staining. In addition, the composition of the consumption increase.

After drying, the stain removed from the surface all the excess. This is done with a brush dipped in acetone. For the maximum desirable qualitative result lacquered wood. This is done with a roller or brush. In remote places varnish is applied with a sponge. To simplify your work, you can use the paint-spray in the can. He is practical and convenient, but the flow of material in this case will be much greater.

As mordant, lacquer is applied in 2-3 layers. When this material is applied very thinly to avoid stains formed. The technology itself is very simple and does not require special knowledge and skills. The main thing is to stain and varnish combined with each other, and all the activities were the most accurate.

Stain or stain, is an indispensable material for the treatment of wood, which can not only protect the surface, but also to add her decoration. Due to its diverse range of stains, select the desired will not be difficult.