Wood Stain

Water based wood stains

This product works as a colourant that then requires a top coat to seal the colour in such as varnish, oil or wax.

Our water based wood stains are made with the finest natural ingredients using quality pigments derived from plants and earth from around the globe. (This is very important because lesser quality pigments can produce a washed out effect or give your wood a zebra crossing effect). Good quality pigments will offer good penetration and will greatly enhance the grain structure of the wood.

Pine and other soft woods have a hard grain which form the pattern in the timber, it is the soft grain which usually forms the majority of the pattern. Lesser wood stains will reverse the grain in a similar way to a photographic negative, therefore giving a bad finish which is exaggerated even further when the top coat is applied.

Because some woods require heavier staining than others, it is well worth doing a small test area first to observe the results before starting the main project. Extra care should be taken on the end grain areas (the cut ends), these will absorb more of the wood stain and may create a tide mark on the surface of the wood or furniture. Years of research and development have allowed us to greatly reduce this problem but care should be taken.

To achieve a better depth of stain colour, 2-3 coats can be applied. By adding other wood stains or one of our concentrated dyes such as yellow, red, orange or brown, you can create your own stain colour. Just select a stain that is closest to your requirement and adjust using one of the above methods. Thousands of new shades can be created by inter-mixing our extensive range of products.

To lighten our wood stain, just add tap water. Water based wood stains will raise the grain of the wood, the amount that it raises can vary depending on the wood being worked on. Raised grain gives a good rustic appearance for those looking for this effect. To take this further, brush a dark wax into the raised wood grain, this will act as a highlighter thereby enhancing the peaks and troughs.

Any marks left in the wood are likely to show through after staining. Generally speaking water based wood stains do not cover blemishes in the wood.

Our water based wood stains will keep at temperatures above freezing for a minimum of 4 years. We recommend that the product is shaken or stirred before use.

Coloured wood stain can help you to transform or refurbish floorboards, furniture and a whole host of other interior wooden surfaces new or old.

Change the look and feel of a room by applying a floor stain directly to floorboards, customise an old piece of furniture to match a rooms colour scheme by applying a coloured wood stain of your choice.

Water based wood stains are very easy to apply and have a good open time which helps to keep a wet edge, allowing time for tidying up runs and puddles. Minor runs etc will normally dry out evenly and should not be noticeable when the wood stain has fully dried.

Virtually any spray gun system can be used to quickly and easily way apply water based wood stains - even the cheaper garden sprayers will suffice. Once a generous coat of wood stain has been applied, it is worth wiping back the surface with a sponge or absorbent cloth about 30 seconds after staining to remove any excess wood stain from the surface.

A foam sponge can be used to apply wood stain to large flat pieces as any heavily stained areas can be soaked up by the sponge as you work. Similarly by applying a little more pressure, more of the wood stain can be released to save time returning to the container for more.

Alternatively, wood stain can be applied with a paint brush , this helps to keep the stain away from areas where it is not wanted, for example when staining skirting boards, door frames etc. As a general rule, it's always best to use masking tape when brushing. Most waxes, lacquers (varnishes) and oils can be used over water based wood stains.

Water based stains should be lightly de-nibbed (sanded) before applying your chosen top coat. A finishing pad or steel wool is ideal for this purpose.

Wood staining hint

When brushing a water based top coat, such as water lacquer, over a water based stain, take care to use the minimum of brush strokes to avoid lifting the colour out of the stain. This is normally only applicable when a brush is used. Spraying will not cause this problem. This problem will not occur when using a solvent base top coat over a water based stain or vice versa. Once the initial top coat has been carefully applied, further coats can be applied in the normal way.

Container Sizes

500ml: Enough to cover about 4 side chairs or 2 bedside cupboards (inside & out).
1lt: Will cover a large wardrobe or 2 medium size chest of drawers (inside & out).
5lt: Enough for a large floor 10mtrs x 7mtrs (33ft x 23ft approx).
20lt: Will cover an area the size of a tennis court with a few litres to spare.

Wood stain coverage

Approx 10 Square metres per litre depending on the temperature, amount applied and the type of wood being worked on.

Drying Time

A generous coat of water based wood stain will normally dry within 4 hours at room temperature. A thin coat of wood stain will normally dry in around 2 hours. Drying times vary according to temperature, how much stain is applied and the wood being worked on.