Varnishes and oils offer a natural-looking wood finish. Varnish, shellac, and lacquer are not easy to apply, but they do offer a deep and rich look. They will also deepen and darken over time. Varnishes are the best choice for high-gloss surfaces.
With a wood dye, there is no need to use any kind of wood conditioner. Just dye it! The wood absorbs the dye very evenly and it dries quickly. I brushed on my first coat and was practically giddy with the deep rich color it produced!
Vinegar is acidic and works to cut through the dirt and grime and clean the wood very well while the olive oil really seeps into the wood and covers the scratches and small abrasions. The oil also puts moisture back into the wood to help restore the color.
Getting that million-dollar look when staining pine takes a good amount of prep work and I use a four-step process. The steps in the process are (1) to sand the wood, (2) condition the wood, (3) stain the wood, and finally (4) topcoat the wood.
Steep two black tea bags in the container of water for 24 hours. Leave the tea bags in the container for the entire 24 hours so the mixture fully darkens. Put a steel wool pad and 16 ounces of apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Use a 0000-grade steel wool pad for the best results.
Hand-sand the sealed surface evenly with 220 grit, and apply a pigmented stain over the sealer. Choose a stain that's close in color and darkness to the dye. If you want a still darker surface, repeat the sealer/stain combination. Cover the final coat of stain with a clear finish.
Paint doesn't require frequent refinishing. A quality paint job can last for up to 10 years when it's done right. Paint allows you more color options, as where stain is limited to shades of brown. Because paint fills gaps and cracks, it hides the flaws of a weathered or old deck much better than stain does.
Lay a brightly patterned runner across a wood dresser or table. Opt for bold bedding or wall art in a bedroom outfitted with wood furniture. Table lamps, vases, and planters in a rainbow of colors can also help cheer up dark wood furniture.
For example, value can be added to a log by properly cutting to the correct length so more product can be produced from straighter, less tapered material. Value can be added to lumber by processing more efficiently or manufacturing for special niche markets.
Sand up to 220 grit. First, level the surface with 100-grit paper. Then work through the grits to create finer and finer scratch patterns. 220-grit scratches are fine enough to disappear when you stain, as long as they don't go across the grain.
The Cons of Staining Wood
While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.
Paint tends to last a little longer than most stains, coming in at around 8-12 years before you will likely have to repaint. Stain, on the other hand, typically has to be refinished every 5-10 years.
On most raw woods, start sanding in the direction of the grain using a #120-150 grit paper before staining and work up to #220 grit paper. Soft woods such as pine and alder: start with #120 and finish with no finer than #220 (for water base stains) and 180 grit for oil base stains.
You just can't go wrong using Early American stain on your pine paneling and trims. Oil-based stains, such as Minwax Wood Finish, enhances pine's grain and colors and can do it with just one heavy coat. Apply first in a thin coat if you want a lighter color and add another for a darker shade.
The best dark stain for pine
Early American by Varathane is our favorite dark wood stain. It has a rich, brown color but still lets the grain of the wood shine through.
Using most gel stains, you can darken wood furniture, or stay the same color, without sanding off the old stain. But, I usually use General Finishes Gel Stain because the finish always looks beautiful.
Beeswax for Hardwood
Beeswax furniture polish is great for any type of wood because it brings out the natural colour. Whether you are polishing mahogany, maple, walnut, cherry, or teak, keep in mind that over time, beeswax on wood will lead to a slight darkening over time.