Woodstains are formulated for weather-resistance and flexibility, so perform far better externally than varnishes. Woodstains are more suited to exterior surfaces, where their flexibility and weather-resistance protect the wood while not obscuring its natural appearance.
While a stain deeply penetrates wood, a varnish remains on the outside of your surfaces, forming a protective barrier. A varnish is usually clear and transparent, and it will harden along the outer layer of your wood. Some varnishes do include colour to enhance or alter the wood shade.
Whatever product you want to use, as a general rule, you will have to completely remove any existing varnish, waxes, oils, wood stains, dust, dirt, grease, uneven areas and sticky stuff before applying a wood varnish.
In simple terms yes. Care must be taken however when applying the first coat of varnish over the stain. If using a brush or roller the first coat of varnish should be lightly applied and not overworked by repeated brushing or rolling.
Polycrylic is a very popular sealant for wood projects. It is inexpensive and easy to apply. It provides strong coverage and is, in general, a great choice.
Varnish, on the other hand, is a clear barrier that offers protection to the wood. It usually doesn't significantly change the color of the wood, although oil-based varnishes usually “warm” the wood up a little bit (aka, add a warmer tint.)
Wood stain dries faster in warmer, mild conditions with lower humidity levels. How long do you need to wait before sealing wood after staining? For best results, wait at least 24 hours before sealing the wood.
Give the varnish a really good stir before you start. Brush it on in the direction of the wood grain, to get the best finish you'll need 2-3 coats. Make sure you leave 1 hour between each coat. Before the final coat give the wood a quick sand down.
Minwax® PolyShades®
Minwax PolyShades combines stain and polyurethane in one simple step. Each coat provides rich color and lasting protection while enhancing the wood grain. This product will reduce finishing time compared with staining with one product and protecting with another.
Water-based stains are typically less toxic and easier to clean up than oil-based stains. They penetrate the wood surface to colour the wood without raising the grain, and they don't require a topcoat. Water-based stains can be applied to both indoor and outdoor projects.
Lacquer, specifically pre-catalyzed lacquer, is considered by many professional woodworkers to be the best finish for hardwood furniture, in terms of balance between beauty, protective qualities and ease of application and care.
Varnish can prevent scratches and abrasions on table tops. As well as waterproofing the wood, varnish can also prevent wooden surfaces from getting scratched. Finishing wood with a product such as varnish, serves to protect wood from the little knocks and spills that are inevitable in a busy family home.
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.
Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties. For best results, apply the wood finish at room temperature, ideally between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gloss oil-based varnish, polyurethane and Danish oil can last 10 or 20 years, though satin finishes and stains may fail sooner as pigments and flattening agents disable the driers. Water-based coatings and paints can also be viable longer than three years.
Yes, you should lightly sand between coats (applies to paint & varnish), this removes any dust or particles that may have stuck to the previous wet coat and provides a "key" for the next coat to adhere to properly.
Yes, each layer will darken your project even more.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain.
Wood is dried-out and dull if you do not apply some sort of sealer. Staining and finishing are two very different things. By applying pigments, a stain is meant to darken or dye wood, but the wood is not preserved by staining.
STAIN ON WOODEN PATIOS: A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION
Outdoor wood stains are water repellant, so they make the wood waterproof, that is protecting it against water and, as a result, against mold.
Check the can to be sure for your exact product. You should sand after the first coat of water-based stain to flatten any wood grain the water raised, but it's unnecessary after that. You don't need to sand between coats of gel stain or oil-based stain.
To finish wood without significantly altering its colour, use Finney s Trade Acrylic Varnish. The matt version will protect the wood without the obvious appearance of a finish being applied.
Any oil-based finishes are going to yellow over time. While this might seem simple, many products are not transparent about what they contain, so I thought I'd quickly make a list of common finishes that yellow. Any Oil-Based Polyurethane, including Minwax's and Varathane's.
The color of rock varnish depends on the relative amounts of manganese and iron in it: manganese-rich varnishes are black; iron-rich varnishes are red or orange; varnishes with similar amounts of manganese and iron are some shade of brown.