Free Tip#5
Posted by Jennifer on Friday, June 26, 2009
Types of Colors/Stains for Finishing Wood
There are a few different varieties for putting a finish/stain on wood. I'll narrow these to four basic groups. Dark Stains, Light Stains, Clear Coats, and Painted.
Dark stains are great for enhancing a distinctive grain pattern in the wood. Using a dark stain will give rich, formal looks to soft woods. Dark stains can also simulate the appearance of a finer hardwood on your more inexpensive woods such as Poplar, Pine, and Basswood. Dark stains in my opinion are the way to go.
Light stains work great to highlight subtle grain patterns and amplify attractive wood tones. You can also use light stains to modify wood tones to match particular items in your household. Light stains add depth and give unfinished wood a seasoned look. Light stains work good with Maple, Pine and White Oak.
Clear coats protect and seal wood while allowing the natural looks of the wood to shine through. You want to use a clear coat when the species of wood has such a wild grain pattern or exotic look that you want it to speak for itself. You can also use clear coats on beat up pieces to give a more natural rustic look.
Painted finishes mask bad qualites in wood. If the piece is so forgone that finishing is not an option, you can paint the piece. With all types of faux finishes, this is an art in itself.
There are a few different varieties for putting a finish/stain on wood. I'll narrow these to four basic groups. Dark Stains, Light Stains, Clear Coats, and Painted.
Dark stains are great for enhancing a distinctive grain pattern in the wood. Using a dark stain will give rich, formal looks to soft woods. Dark stains can also simulate the appearance of a finer hardwood on your more inexpensive woods such as Poplar, Pine, and Basswood. Dark stains in my opinion are the way to go.
Light stains work great to highlight subtle grain patterns and amplify attractive wood tones. You can also use light stains to modify wood tones to match particular items in your household. Light stains add depth and give unfinished wood a seasoned look. Light stains work good with Maple, Pine and White Oak.
Clear coats protect and seal wood while allowing the natural looks of the wood to shine through. You want to use a clear coat when the species of wood has such a wild grain pattern or exotic look that you want it to speak for itself. You can also use clear coats on beat up pieces to give a more natural rustic look.
Painted finishes mask bad qualites in wood. If the piece is so forgone that finishing is not an option, you can paint the piece. With all types of faux finishes, this is an art in itself.