Today, there is such a variety of impregnating agents for wood on sale that even a specialized specialist will not be able to unambiguously answer the question of what is their fundamental difference. If you read the instructions for preparations, then the conclusion suggests itself that most of them protect wood literally “from everything”. So why do you need wood stain? Is it only for its toning, as is commonly believed?

• Toning wood while preserving its texture.
• Reliable material protection when other means are ineffective or their use is not economically feasible. Argumentation - stains are characterized by a greater penetration depth, while they are cheaper than paints, varnishes and a number of other preparations used for wood processing (at least 2.5 times).
• Imitation of another, more expensive breed.
• Wood bleaching. This is often done either in the process of its restoration, or in preparation for painting (application of colored varnish).
• Protection of the material from decay (antiseptic function) and destruction by wood-boring insects.
• Combining shades, creating the effect of surface finishes with different woods.
• Some stains strengthen its structure.
• Giving (partial) moisture-repellent properties to lumber.
• Any stain, regardless of composition, definitely increases the life of the tree.

But is everything so simple? Is it enough to buy any of the stains available for sale, and all the problems with reliable wood processing are solved? An exhaustive answer can be obtained if you familiarize yourself with all the varieties of liquids in this group. By the way, stains are often referred to differently - beets - and they are used not only to protect and prepare for the further use of natural wood, but also building materials based on it (plywood, MDF, fiberboard, OSV, chipboard).

Wood stain modifications

They are classified according to what they are based on. They go on sale in the form of ready-made liquids, gels or powders, but the properties of stains depend only on the components and their proportion.

Water beets

• Such stains are distinguished by a wide variety of shades, so you can choose the composition for almost any type of wood and make it the required tinting in relation to the interior of a particular room.
• "Environmental Safety". For those who care about the "purity" of the product, water stains - best option. No harmful fumes, regardless of external factors. First of all, temperatures.
• Given the basis, it is clear that it is not difficult to wash off such a stain with water. In some cases, this is relevant if, in the process of working with a tree, it is necessary to slightly change the resulting shade.

• Water stains are means of deep penetration. This property also has a negative component. In the process of processing, the tree is additionally saturated with liquid. What does this mean? First, it becomes more susceptible to moisture absorption. Secondly, shrinkage lasts longer, and often initiates twisting of the machined workpiece. Therefore, the use of stains of this group requires both experience and accuracy.
• The need for subsequent application of a protective layer on the tree. For example, varnish, which is most often practiced.

Alcohol stains

• Impregnation dries quickly. Someone considers this a disadvantage, but the ease of use is obvious. Especially when working outdoors, when the weather is unstable and there is a chance of precipitation.
• High-quality protection of a tree from an ultraviolet and dampness.

• Sharp specific smell. When organizing work in the room, it is necessary to ensure its effective ventilation. Can this be done in the winter?
• Rapid absorption into the structure of the material. This somewhat complicates the treatment of wood with alcohol stains, since due to the uneven application of the impregnation, there is a risk of stains on the general background. Experts advise using a spray gun, since it is almost impossible to achieve a uniform shade of wood manually (with a brush) without proper experience.

Oil stains

Pros:

• Do not fill the tree with moisture.
• Easily change the shade when adding dyes.
• The stains of this group lie on the tree thin layer, evenly, so there are no difficulties in working with them.
• Do not fade under the influence of ultraviolet light.
• Application of additional protective coating(varnish, wax) on wood is not required.
• Inert to temperature and humidity changes environment.

• Certain toxicity.
• Long drying time (depending on application conditions).

Wax and nitro stain (acrylic)

Their characteristics are largely similar.

• On the wood, after drying such stains, the thinnest protective film.
• Uniformity of a shade on all processed area is guaranteed. The presence of spots, bald spots is excluded.
• The structure of the tree stands out especially clearly.

• The complexity of working with these stains. Mainly due to the rapid "setting" of the impregnation. Therefore, any further alterations are no longer possible.
• One of the advantages of wood is lost - the ability to "breathe". The reason is in the resulting film. Not all users notice this, but nevertheless. How permeable it is is a big question.

Rustic stains

Pretty new drugs. Their main purpose is to emphasize the structure of the material, to achieve several shades in one area. The use of such compositions requires high professionalism, so the author does not focus on them. Only to inform the reader, since it is unlikely that it will be possible to independently process wood. If, of course, we mean a qualitative result.

What to consider when choosing wood stain

Knowing the features of various modifications of these solutions, it is easy to understand. Therefore, the author only summarizes all of the above:

• The specifics of the application - inside or outside the building; temperature, humidity; weather.
• The structure (breed) of a tree. The lower the density, the more deeply the stain penetrates. For example, the use of water-based formulations will significantly increase their consumption per m2. To what extent is it justified, expedient and so on? There is one more nuance. After processing, the color of the tree will be somewhat "lighter" than expected. This is due to the fact that a significant part of the stain will be absorbed, and along with the liquid and the dye.
• Wood condition. Does the lumber have defects that need to be leveled, or vice versa, is it necessary to emphasize all its advantages? This should also be taken into account when choosing stain by shade.
• Personal experience and opportunities. The first one is clear - not everyone will be able to qualitatively apply the required layer of stain, which quickly dries out (absorbs). It depends on practical skills. More difficult with opportunities. As a rule, most "home craftsmen" work with a brush. For applying wax stains, it is recommended to use tampons. Also, nothing special. But does everyone have not only an airbrush, but also a “source” compressed air? Before choosing stains for alcohol, you should think carefully.
• General interior. This mainly applies to internal finishing works. As a rule, the surface design of the wooden parts of the building or individual structural elements no one is engaged, otherwise one of the advantages of lumber is lost - naturalness. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the shade that the wood stain will give, and how much it will emphasize its structure (or change it).

• If planned further processing wood with polyurethane paint or varnish, which contains acid, then wax stain cannot be used as an impregnation.
• When choosing a tool, you must purchase it with some margin. Practice shows that it will not be possible to accurately determine its consumption per m². Even a specialist will not say exactly how much stain is needed, especially when it comes to processing large area(volume of lumber). And if you make a second purchase in the same store, and impregnations from the same manufacturer, then it is not a fact that the shade will be identical. From batch to batch of goods, it partially changes - these are the costs (features) of technology.
• Effective wood protection is achieved if the stain is applied in at least 2 coats. One-time processing of the required result does not give, therefore, such savings are absolutely meaningless.

The tree will always be popular, because it is beautiful and environmentally friendly. pure material. However, like all natural decorative elements, boards are afraid of moisture, and are a favorite habitat for insects, fungi, mold and other microorganisms. To increase the service life of things made from wood species, various protective agents and antiseptics are used. Today we will talk about such a wonderful substance as stain, with its help you can not only solve some problems associated with premature damage wooden materials, but also to give your products an unusual and noble appearance.

Wood is durable and durable material, which is subject to the influence of adverse environmental factors, therefore, in order to protect products from it from possible damage, it is necessary to treat them with special means. On the construction market you can find a huge number of different antiseptics, varnishes and other impregnations that change the color and some properties of wood, the most popular and inexpensive product is wood stain. Some people think that stains are used only to change the color of an object, but this wonderful drug has other properties.

The properties of stains may vary depending on their composition. However, even if you make such a tint with your own hands, it will still have some protective properties.

Wood stain properties:

1. If you want to change not only the color of the wood, but also highlight its texture, then stain is just what you need. It does not completely cover the drawing, like paint, but gives the whole product a pleasant shade.
2. Wood staining will protect furniture from insects and rot, while preserving the texture and pattern of the wood.
3. The stain is protective agent, which increases the service life of wooden objects and costs several times cheaper than varnish and paint. In addition, due to its watery consistency, it penetrates deeper into the wood structure.
4. With the help of stain, you can make it so that even inexpensive pine, painted with colored stain, will look like a noble and strong oak and exotic mahogany.
5. Stain toning can lighten the wood. This technique is especially often used before painting. wooden products.
6. Impregnation with stain will strengthen the structure of the tree and give it a light moisture-proof property.

Not all stains have the above qualities. To understand which stain you need, you need to read its composition, and see what the instructions for use say. By the way, you can process not only whole wooden planks, but also chipboard, plywood or parquet items and other wooden crafts.

Water-based wood stain and alcohol stains

Water-based stains are the most environmentally friendly stains. They don't have a sharp bad smell and easy to use.

Such a product can be sold as dry, or already ready mix. Such dyes are most popular due to their low price and the possibility of their use, both for indoor and outdoor use.

The main characteristics of water stain:

1. The colors of the water-based stain are very diverse. With their help, you can create a very interesting iridescent effect.
2. You can use water beytsy without fear for your health. Even with the most high temperatures, such products do not emit harmful fumes.
3. If you decide to experiment, and are wondering: “Which stain to choose so that it can be washed?” - then a water stain is what you need. Such a tinting agent can be easily washed off with water, so it is impossible to paint the floor with it.
4. Toning wooden surface such a tool, makes its texture more noticeable. Unfortunately, because of this, the product becomes more sensitive to moisture, so it will need to be varnished.

It is highly undesirable to tint resinous tree species with such an impregnation, as ugly spots can appear on them. For such products, it is better to use alcohol impregnation.

How long does alcohol impregnation dry? Almost a few seconds! This property is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Thanks to it, you can cover the butt of a sports rifle with alcohol stain, and use it in a few minutes, however, a large area can only be stained with an airbrush, otherwise the surface of the product will be covered with unpleasant stains and stains, even varnish will not help correct the situation. Consists of alcohol impregnation of alcohol and dyes.

Treating wood with such an impregnation will make it more resistant to ultraviolet radiation and high humidity. However, due to the unpleasant smell of such a product, working with it is possible only in open space.

Benefits of oil-based stains and wax and acrylic stains

Stain on oil based has a wide range of colors and shades. It costs more than water beyts, but it also has more useful properties. Such a preparation can be used not only to change the color of the product, but also to emphasize its texture.

Treating wood with an oil-based stain is easy and convenient, it is applied in a thin layer and does not lift the fibers of the product. Also, this tinting does not fade under the influence sun rays, gives the tree resistance to temperature extremes and protects it from moisture. Oil stains can be removed with White Spirit thinner, they can also lighten the painted wood a little. It differs from compositions similar in properties in that varnish is not needed to fix it. The disadvantages of staining with oil include: long drying of the tint and its toxicity.

It is very important to find a stain from a responsible and conscientious manufacturer. Judging by the reviews, the most popular firms are Vartan, Latek, Novbytkhim and Herlak.

Acrylic and wax stain very easy to apply, they lay down in a uniform layer and do not leave stains and streaks. However, due to fast drying such beys, you need to work with them very quickly.

Wax stain is used to protect wood from moisture. It can process parquet. Such a stain is not resistant to mechanical damage, therefore, in order to extend its service life, it is better to use varnish.

Acrylic, it is also rustic, stain perfectly emphasizes the texture of the tree. With its help, you can get the most different shades which is why this drug is so popular. A tree stained with such stain will still need to be opened with several layers of varnish.

Wood stain colors

Wood stains differ not only in composition, they come in different colors and shades. The most commonly used dark mixture, it gives the products a more noble look. With the help of such stains, ordinary larch and maple can turn into an oak board.

Modern stains can give the tree the most unusual shade. However, to this day, the range of natural woody colors is considered the most popular.

The most popular stain colors:

• Pine;
• Birch;
• Bleached walnut;
• Plum; Red tree;
• Olive;
• rosewood;

There are many such examples. It is noteworthy that the names of the same shade for different companies can vary greatly. When choosing a baize color, first of all, pay attention not to color palette, which is printed on the packaging, and samples printed on birch boards.

It is also important to consider that the intensity of the color of the stain depends on the type of wood on which it is applied. It will be more difficult to give a dark shade to a product if the wood from which it is made is lighter than to darken an oak object. Non-aqueous stain will not be able to paint over well enough pine board, if it is not previously desalted, but water-based stains are generally unsuitable for resinous tree species.

White wood stain

To make furniture white, it is not necessary to paint it. For such work will do and brightening stain, which will not only make the product lighter, but also emphasize its structure.

Wood stain is designed not only to give the product a lighter shade, but also to protect it from the adverse conditions of the outside world. It is very important to consider, when considering different types of such a product, how and on what you will apply it. If there is a risk that moisture will spill onto the surface of the bleached object, then it is best to use wax, oil and acrylic preparations, but if your craft is in a dry and ventilated place, then a water stain will do.

With the help of white stain, you can achieve very interesting effect and make an aged coating. It must first be painted with stain white color water-based, after it dries, the item must be treated with a stiff brush. A dark-colored wax or oil stain is rubbed into the formed pores on the wood.

When using a water stain, do not forget about the protective layer. The dyed product must be treated with wax or oil.

Light stains do not always have a pronounced color. There is a colorless stain, which is applied solely to protect the tree from adverse natural factors.

How to make a stain with your own hands

It is not necessary to buy a ready-made stain. By mixing dyes, such as coffee, a few drops of iodine or shavings of black bark, and some chemical elements, you can make it at home. Homemade stain is not only effective, it is also natural.

1. Boil a glass of larch bark in a glass of water. The resulting product can be coated with birch products, it will give them a beautiful reddish tint.
2. Crush the dried shell walnut powder and boil for ten minutes. The resulting broth must be mixed with soda. Coat light-colored wood with the solution, and it will take on a brown tint. If you want to change the color of the product, you can treat it with vinegar or potassium dichromate. In the first case, the shade will be gray, and in the second, red.
3. Brewed tea or coffee can give the tree different shades. The intensity of the colors depends on the strength of the tea leaves.
4. With a solution of potassium permanganate, you color the product in Cherry color.
5. A red tint can be achieved by soaking rusty nails in vinegar for several days. Black stain is obtained by adding a decoction of oak or walnut leaves to the vinegar solution.

Self-stains are made quite often. They are environmentally friendly and harmless. Unfortunately, they all tend to fade, so to preserve the color of the product, a layer of varnish must be applied over the stain.

Wood tinting with wood stain: step by step instructions

To make the product look neat and beautiful, you need to cover it with stain correctly. If the stain is applied poorly, it can fade after a few weeks, and if you do not follow the staining technology, you risk getting a surface covered with stains.

How to properly stain objects:

1. First of all, it is necessary to remove a layer from the surface of the product old paint. You can do this with sandpaper.
2. Next, the surface is degreased with alcohol, white spirit or gasoline. If the product is made from resinous tree species, then it is deresined.
3. The stain is heated and applied in a thin layer to the surface of the product. The top of the item is processed first. Layers are applied from above, one on top of the other, until the desired shade is achieved.

After the stain dries, the product must be covered with several layers of varnish. Before applying a new layer, the dried varnish is treated with fine-grained sandpaper.

Wood stain (video)

The stain is great way to replace one tree color with another. Such funds are different types, they may have various formulations and colors. Use the stain correctly, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful product.

If earlier this material was used to give wood products Brown or its shades, today with the help of stains you can get almost any color. Them additional benefits are antiseptic properties and the ability to extend the life of the products treated with them by almost two times.

The following describes different kinds stains, their properties and capabilities are revealed.

Types of stains

1. Water based wood stain.

This type of impregnation is most often used. Available either ready-to-use or as a water-soluble powder. The main components of water stain are polymers and pigments.

The color range is wide, but shades of red predominate, from light to very dark. Surfaces treated with this material are resistant to abrasion, and the texture of wood is clearly visible on them.

However, such a coating contributes to the swelling of the wood. To prevent this, it is necessary to moisten the surface of the product in advance and after some time to process it with sandpaper. Mainly used indoors.

It has an extensive palette of colors, while it perfectly highlights the "drawing" of the tree. It has good penetrating properties, protecting products from decay. It is the easiest to work with: it is easy to apply, dries quickly, does not lift the fibers.

It is obtained by dissolving an aniline dye in denatured alcohol. Similar to the previous material, it is sold in the form of a liquid or powder. The tendency to dry quickly makes applying this impregnation by hand quite problematic. Therefore, for uniform coloring of products, an airbrush is used.

Modern types of tinting materials are acrylic and wax stains. They are devoid of the shortcomings of the previous types. And the protective film formed during their application has a moisture-proof function. Perfectly emphasizing the woody structure, they are called "rustic".

There are many ways to make tinting impregnation yourself and very budget.

• plant-based materials. Using strong decoctions, you can achieve different shades of wood.
• A reddish tone will be given by larch bark and onion peel.
• By combining walnut shell decoction with other ingredients, color variations can be achieved. Adding soda to the solution will give a brown tint. By acting on the treated and dried surface with potassium bichromate, you can get a reddish tone, and with a solution of vinegar - a grayish one.
• The wood will take on a nice black tint when using alder and oak bark.
• Golden-yellow color is obtained with the help of unripe buckthorn fruits.

• Wood stain based on improvised materials.
  • The role of impregnation is wonderfully performed by instant or ground coffee, tea brewing.
  • With your own hands, you can make a stain based on acetic acid. By insisting in it metal objects within a week, you need to add a decoction of oak or alder bark of strong concentration. This composition will create the effect of ebony.
  • With your own hands, you can get various shades of brown and even cherry color. To do this, dissolve 50 g of potassium permanganate in 1000 ml of water, cover the product and dry it with a soft cloth after 5 minutes. When re-treated with the resulting composition, the tone will become brighter.

Working with stain

When staining wood with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances. First you need to choose the right tool. And here you should pay attention to the surface area being processed and the type of stain. It can be a brush, a foam swab or a spray bottle. So, solvent-based impregnations are best applied with a spray gun. The use of other tools will not allow you to do it evenly, without spots.

Liquids based on water or alcohol do not require special tools. However, it must be remembered that it will be difficult to cover large areas with a brush and swab.

Another subtlety: in order to achieve the desired color, the wood must be coated in two or more layers. In this case, you need to wait for the complete drying of the previous ones. Lacquer also opens only a completely dry surface. This is especially true when working with water-based formulations.

Impregnation is applied and excess is removed in accordance with the direction of the wood pattern.

When working with a brush, you need to make sure that it does not fall on areas that have already been processed.

The polishing of frozen wood is carried out with a coarse rag in the direction of the fibers or diagonally.

Dense impregnation is diluted with an appropriate solvent. Water is used for water-based material, paint thinners are used for oil stain. If you leave the consistency unchanged, you can mask defects on the surface of the product with such a stain.

If you need to wash a large area, it is recommended to do it in stages, dividing it into small pieces.

The drying time of the oil stain is about 3 days, and the water and alcohol stain is about 3 hours.

Stain possibilities

To highlight the texture of wood and artificially age the surface, one little-known method is used. It consists in the simultaneous use of impregnation of different shades.

One of fashion trends is the coloring " bleached oak". To achieve this, two types of impregnating composition are used. The first layer is applied with a special water-based bleach. After it dries, take an oil stain containing wax. They clog only the pores, while staining in the selected color, while the rest of the area remains unchanged.

With a combination of types and shades of stains, very effective results can be achieved. The main subtlety here is the sequence of work: first a background is created, and then the product is finished by applying other colors. The order cannot be changed, otherwise the wax will not allow the stain to be absorbed.

The final step will be varnishing. It performs a protective function and is mandatory.

It is generally known that wood stain, applied in several layers, determines the final color of the surface. In order to understand what it will be, you need to make a color test.

To this end, the harvested edge of the board is subjected to careful polishing. Then it is completely saturated with the first layer. After waiting for drying, a second layer is applied, leaving a third of the plank untreated. The surface is covered with the last layer, without touching two-thirds this time.

And finally, a completely dry board is opened with two layers of varnish, not forgetting to dry each of them. After completing this procedure from beginning to end, you can select the tone that you would like to receive.

When working with the material described here, it must be remembered that the stain used for woodworking affects different types of wood in different ways.

Deciduous plants have excellent absorbency. For them, any type of impregnation is applicable. Representatives conifers this indicator is lower, which is explained by the presence of a significant amount of resins in their composition. This fact once again confirms the need to use color samples. By ignoring this stage, you can get an unpredictable and not always pleasant result.

Elimination of defects

Removing the flaws obtained when working with wood stain is a complex process.

• streaks. If the quick-drying material was applied in a thick layer, this problem can be eliminated by removing it as much as possible. To do this, the drying layer is covered with fresh stain. The softened solution is removed with a rag. When the coating is completely dry, solvents are used. Another way to solve this problem is to use a planer or sandpaper.
• Spots. If the staining is uneven, it will be difficult to deal with it. The soaked wood is passed with a planer, and in plywood it will be necessary to remove upper layer. But it is preferable to prevent the formation of spotting: conduct a preliminary test of the surface, use a gel stain or suitable tools.

Wood is considered one of the most beautiful and durable material that is actively used for the construction of houses, various buildings, interior decoration rooms and furniture. But in order for its foundation to be able to serve for a long period, it must be protected.

To protect surfaces from wood, various means are made, stain is considered one of the best today. This tool allows not only to protect the tree from negative factors, but also gives it a very aesthetic appearance.

What is a stain for?

If you have never used this tool, then you probably often ask yourself this question - what is stain and what is it for?

Wood stain or stain is special formulations used for toning natural wood during its finishing. This product is produced in the form of a liquid, which, during application, is applied to the surface and absorbed into the area of ​​​​the outer layer of the tree, while changing its color.

Important! It is worth noting that, unlike paints and varnishes, the stain does not form a film on the surface of the tree, its composition enters the wood. The degree of penetration of this agent depends on the type of wood and on the qualities of the stain.

Since the tree has a multilayer texture, in which the layers have different levels density and permeability, all this leads to staining of the tree with varying degrees of intensity.

After staining, the wood acquires its obvious natural qualities. It is this property that has made this product popular with many restorers, furniture manufacturers, and woodworking professionals.

Depending on the properties and composition of the stain, several purposes of this tool are distinguished:

Varieties

Wood stains can cover absolutely any surface of a tree - pine, oak, maple, birch and so on. But still, you definitely need to know the types of this tool, because each type of stain has certain properties.

Water

The presence of water in the composition of the stain is considered the main constituent ingredient. The group of water-based impregnations is considered the largest. Usually these products are made in finished form or in the form of a powder. The powder can be diluted in water independently according to the attached instructions.

Positive traits:

1. Due to the fact that this tool has a neutral base, it does not have increased toxicity and does not harmful effects on health;
2. Available in a wide range of shades with a natural texture. With these types of products, you can create shades from the lightest to deepest, which will help recreate the natural look and deepen the tone. And also this quality gives the surface expressiveness and noble appearance;
3. It has an easy and simple application, while there is a minimum consumption of funds;
4. Suitable for all types of wood - for pine, birch, oak, maple, walnut, cherry;
5. Not high cost.

Important! Please note that this tool has one significant drawback, during application it raises the wood fibers and opens the way for moisture to penetrate. To prevent water penetration after treatment, be sure to varnish the surface.

Alcohol type stain

This tool is available in the form of an aniline dye, which is dissolved in denatured alcohol. This type of stain is sold both in finished form and in dry powder form, which must be dissolved.

This tool has the advantage of drying quickly. However, this quality brings some qualities when manually applying the mixture to wood, after drying, often formed greasy spots. Therefore, many builders recommend using an airbrush when using alcohol products.

oily

As part of these products, all oil pigments are dissolved in solvents or in White Spirit. This composition provides a number of advantages to this type of stain:

• When painting, it provides toning of wooden surfaces in various colors;
• Oil mixtures are convenient to use at home;
• The composition fits well on the surface, it can be applied with any tools;
• Oil stain evenly enters the area of ​​the wood structure, while forming a protective film on the surface.

Acrylic and wax

Wood stain, which is made of acrylic or wax base, is a novelty in the construction market. This tool has proven itself among many consumers and professional builders. This is due to the fact that this mixture after application creates high protection basics from negative impacts and premature wear.

Composition features:

1. After application, this type of impregnation forms an insulating film on the wood surface, through which moisture and other negative substances do not penetrate;
2. Diverse color characteristics. Compared to other varieties, this composition has a variety of colors from natural to bright exotic tones;
3. These types of stains are used by many designers. modern furniture. These products are used for painting the outer facades of cabinets, for tables, chairs made of different types of wood.

With whitening effect

It is not always necessary for the wood to be dark in color, sometimes it is required that it has a slightly whitish color. In these cases, impregnations based on hydrogen peroxide and acids are suitable. With their help, you can get light, bleached color wooden beam. Typically, these solutions are used to prepare the surface for further painting.

Attention! It is important that these products completely cover the entire surface of the wood. Otherwise, the proper result will not be obtained.

Stain is simple necessary thing to improve the quality of wood. This tool protects the base from rapid wear and tear. The main thing is to choose the right tool and carefully read the instructions and characteristics of the composition. But what mixtures to choose all depends on what they will be used for - to improve color or to protect. It is better to first study the properties of each type of stain.

Stains or stains are called tinting compositions that are used to finish wood to give it a more expressive shade. Soaking into the wood structure, the liquid paints over the surface layer, preserving the natural texture and relief of the surface.

Stain processing allows you to simply and without extra costs give inexpressive wood species a more noble appearance. The ability to experiment with shades reveals wide opportunities when finishing projects.

The composition of stains does not affect the main characteristics of the material. A film does not form on the surface, resistance to decay, hardness and strength of wood remain unchanged (in the absence of special components in the composition). It is not difficult to master the technique of applying stains.

The basis for stains can be water, alcohol, oil and other substances. Each type of finishing composition has its own characteristics, knowing which it is easy to choose the optimal type of finish for a particular project.

Water stain and its specificity

water stain available as a ready-to-use liquid and as a self-diluting powder to the desired concentration. Water-based stains have good adhesion, naturally emphasize the grain of the wood and come in a wide range of shades from light tones to deep dark reds. The absence of toxic odors makes such compounds indispensable for interior work.

When processing wood of resinous species, water stain can become stained due to uneven absorption into the structure of the material. In this case, the surface of the product is recommended to be subjected to the deresining procedure.

Another disadvantage when working with water stains is the problem of raised pile. To eliminate this defect, the prepared surface is moistened with water and allowed to dry. Then the product is sanded with fine-grained paper and it is opened with a finishing compound.

After processing the wood with a water stain, it takes 12-14 hours for it to dry completely.

In what cases are alcohol stains appropriate?

Alcohol stains are a category of finishing compositions based on aniline dyes diluted in alcohol. Like water stains, this product is offered in powder and liquid form. Distinctive feature finishing is the accelerated penetration of coloring pigments into the wood structure and quick drying.

The best method for applying alcohol stain is the use of an airbrush. The use of a brush, roller and swabs when working with such compositions is ineffective, due to rapid drying. The use of manual methods often results in streaks, uneven tone, spots and other defects.

Such compositions are optimal for surface finishing. large areas. Similar in characteristics to them are nitromordants - solvent-based stains.

The alcohol-based stain dries in 20-30 minutes.

Oil stains and their features

The finishing composition is dyes dissolved in oil, usually linseed. The stain is easily and evenly applied to the wood, and, as manual methods, and with a spray gun. It does not form surface films, emphasizes the texture of wood and provides air exchange.

A distinctive feature of the coloring pigments of such compositions is their resistance to UV radiation, due to which the painted surfaces do not fade in the sun, maintaining color saturation for years. White spirit is used to dilute oil formulations.

How long such a stain dries depends on the degree of its concentration and a number of other factors. On average, it takes from 2 to 4 hours.

Wax and acrylic compounds

According to all the main characteristics, such stains are similar to oil counterparts. A distinctive feature of wax and acrylic stains is their moisture-proof properties. Finishing well protects the surface of the tree from water, but is vulnerable to mechanical damage.

Wax and acrylic compositions are easily applied by manual methods, keep the same tone, do not leave streaks. They do not raise the pile and well emphasize the natural texture of the tree. This type of finish is actively used in the restoration of furniture. Beytsy of this type offered in a wide range of colors.

How long such a stain dries also depends on a complex of factors. On average, the process of complete drying of wax and acrylic stains takes 4-5 hours.

What tools are used to apply stain?

Wood staining at home can be done with a brush, foam or fabric swab, paint roller, and also with a spray gun. The choice of technique is determined primarily by the type of finishing composition.

The optimal ratio of materials and tools used:

• alcohol and nitromorilki - airbrush;
• water stains - swabs, roller, brushes with synthetic bristles;
• oil and acrylic stains - wide brushes with natural bristles, lint-free swabs.

How to paint a wood stain: methods for applying a finishing composition

There are two generally accepted methods for treating wood with wood stain:

1. Application of the composition in excess and subsequent removal of excess with a swab.

The technique is relevant primarily for water compositions. It allows you to even out color transitions, eliminate smudges and achieve lighter tones. The stain is applied with circular (tampon) or longitudinal (roller, brush) movements, followed by wiping along the fibers. After the first layer dries, the second one is applied. The procedure is repeated until the desired color saturation is achieved.

1. Application of the composition in excess without subsequent wiping off the excess.

This technique is more appropriate when using wax, oil and acrylic stains when the goal is to achieve deep wood tones. Partial wiping of excess is allowed after the main part of the composition is absorbed into the structure of the tree. This allows you to even out the tone and get rid of minor defects that may occur when applying the composition.

• to enhance adhesion, the stain can be slightly heated, this will improve the speed and depth of penetration of the composition into the wood structure;
• it is not recommended to strongly soak the brush, swab or roller in finishing composition. Controlled stain intake minimizes the risk of smudges and blotches.
• the ends of the board are stained more intensively than the main surface, because. they absorb the composition more actively.

How to prepare the surface for finishing?

Speaking about the merits of wood stain, one should not forget that it emphasizes not only the expressiveness of the wood texture, but also all the defects present on its surface. Therefore, special attention is paid to the proper preparation of the product.

1. The wooden surface is sanded with medium and fine-grained paper. The old coating, if any, is completely removed.
2. The surface cleaned and leveled by grinding is degreased with a sponge dipped in white spirit.
3. Conifers undergo a deresining procedure, for this they are treated with a special compound.
4. When working with water stains on a wooden surface, remove the raised pile beforehand (see point 2).
5. A color test is made on the prepared surface. A test coat will give you an idea of ​​how the composition interacts with a particular type of wood and how many layers of it will need to be applied to achieve the desired color.

Compliance with this algorithm will help to achieve a professional result when staining wood at home.

How to solve the spotting problem?

The uneven tone of the finish, when the stain appears stronger in some places and weaker in others, is a common problem that is associated with the characteristics of certain types of wood. Spotting can occur when processing resinous wood, as well as species with uneven density or plywood. In the first case, it is recommended to deresin the surface, in the second - to pre-treat the wood with special conditioners that will close the pores and ensure uniform absorption of the stain.

Painting wooden products with stain and varnish

To enhance the wear resistance and attractiveness of the surface of wooden products painted with stain, they are additionally opened with varnish. At this stage, many are faced with the problem when, when varnish is applied, the stain begins to wash away, which ultimately spoils all the work done.

At the stage finishing important to remember:

• water stains should be combined with non-aqueous varnishes;
• alcohol stains - with non-alcohol paints and varnishes.