Do-it-yourself wood tinting dark walnut. How to choose a wood stain for tinting wood

When the question arises which stain to choose, then it turns out that not everyone knows what stain is. So, stain is a liquid for tinting wood materials, such as wood directly, fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, plywood and some others. Sometimes the stain is also called "beyz", this is its popular name. Mordants can be divided according to their purpose, they can be for external (facade) or internal work. A feature of stain for outdoor use is the presence of a special pigment in its composition, which protects the composition from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and, consequently, fading. There are practically no other differences.

In addition to differences in purpose, stains can vary in composition, they can be based on alcohol, oil, wax, solvents, nitro, or water-based.

There are stain formulations for brush application and spray application formulations, there are prefabricated formulations or powder formulations that are simply diluted with water before use.

To make the right choice of stain, you need to decide on its purpose. If you want to tint a crib or, for example, a dining table, then the types of stains on wax or oil bases or water-based will be priority. There are no volatile compounds in these types of stains or a minimal amount is present. Regardless of the composition of the stain, a layer of varnish can be applied on top, oil with the addition of wax or pure wax can be used. The different layers do not conflict.

Alcohol-based stains are also available both in finished form and in powder form. Alcohol stains have their own characteristics of use, they are good for tinting furniture or doors, and for or it is better to choose a different type of stain. If someone interferes with you and the application turns out to be uneven, then the result will be a rather unsightly stain. It's okay, but the stain will have to be removed with a skin, and the stain should be applied again. To reduce the risk of uneven coverage, it is best to apply alcohol stains with a spray gun, after making sure that you can finish the job without interference.

And one more piece of advice regarding alcohol stains. The fact is that powdered alcohol stains should only be diluted with 96% alcohol, but there is no guarantee that the alcohol you purchase will be exactly 96%, so it’s better to opt for a ready-made composition.

Nitro stains are also designed to be applied using a spray gun. With these stains, uneven application when using a brush leads to the formation of various spots, differences in tones and other undesirable results.

But stains on oil and wax bases are applicable in any case, and they can be applied with any tool convenient for a particular case. These stains compare favorably with ease of use, but they have a higher cost. Another advantage of oil and wax stains is that they are absolutely environmentally safe. These stains are suitable not only for basic tinting work, but also for restoring or correcting the tinting of individual areas of the treated surface.

The natural color of wood materials is very attractive in itself and does not require mandatory tinting or staining. However, sometimes, for example, in order to create harmony in the design or emphasize a certain line in the interior of the room, you want to change the color scheme or decor of the furniture. This can easily be done using a special colored stain.

Before applying the stain, the surface must be prepared in a certain way. The main condition: the surface should not have any coating. The ideal option is to apply stain on a fresh surface. If there is a coating, then it should be removed with a sandpaper, and the surface should be carefully sanded. For grinding, sandpaper with No. 180-230 is suitable, it will open the pores of the tree, the pores will be open for about half an hour. It is during these half an hour that the stain should be applied, in which case it will penetrate the material to the maximum depth. Wood is always sanded along the grain.

A layer of stain is applied along the fibers, abundantly. Try to make it as even as possible. Significant unevenness can result in unsightly stains, although if you have treated the wood with water, an even layer will be easier. The drying time of one layer of stain is about 3 hours, after this time a second layer can be applied. By the way, the second layer will smooth out the possible irregularities of the first. If the color of the second layer is different from the color of the first, then the effect can be unique. As mentioned above, the stain can be ready-to-use or be in powder form. In the second case, the color solution should be prepared strictly according to the instructions. The solution itself is prepared very simply - hot water and powder are mixed, after a couple of minutes, mix again, and the solution is ready for use. Moisten the wood with water before applying the stain with a sponge or cloth and sand again. Now you can apply the stain with a brush. Round brushes with Chinese bristles are well suited for this purpose, but before using the brush, make sure that the hairs do not come out of it, otherwise they may remain on the surface.

If you have given preference to the quality of the acquired stain, rather than its low cost, and purchased products from a well-known manufacturer, then the result may exceed all your expectations. By following the instructions for using the stain and carefully preparing the surface, you will get a wood texture that is indistinguishable from natural, and almost guaranteed to save the final result from possible stains and streaks.

Rustic wood stain is one of the latest developments, which takes into account modern design features of the arrangement and processing of parquet. Do you want to achieve a rustic aesthetic using the most common materials? Rustic stain or "stain" will highlight the natural wood structure, a particularly spectacular result will be achieved when applying the stain on oak parquet. Color shades when using rustic stain can be very different.

Rustic stain goes on sale in a ready-to-use form, no additional preparations are required. After sanding the surface, shake the contents of the container with the solution, open it and apply the stain with a brush. It is highly desirable that the pile is natural. This stain is of the highest quality, it will easily pass through all wood pores and tubules, the composition lays down evenly, without stains and sagging. And yet we recommend that you process the parquet in two layers, this will make it easier for you to care for the floor in the future.

Now about the price of the issue. Which stain to choose is your business, but you should not save on quality, as a well-crafted and painted thing will delight you for many years.

Good luck! See you in the next articles 😉

Pigment stains are the least sensitive to the chemical composition of the finishing layer applied over them. Almost any finish can be applied to the dried stain, such as oil or water varnish for wood finishing, tinted water or oil stain. The stain must be completely dry before applying the varnish. The drying speed is affected by temperature, as well as the humidity of the surrounding air and the wood itself, so you should not pay special attention to the instructions on the can. Use your nose: if you smell solvent, then the stain has not dried yet. Dyes are more capricious. If you apply a varnish containing the same solvent with a brush or swab, you can leave streaks and partially mix the dye with the varnish. Sometimes this can achieve greater color depth, but more often the quality of the coating is reduced. With the proper equipment, it is best to apply the varnish by spraying to avoid problems.

Dyes, pigments and methods for obtaining the desired color

You put together another project and carefully sanded all the surfaces. A can of varnish is already there, but this time you do not want the wood to have its usual color. You want this item to match the old decor of your living room or be indistinguishable from expensive furniture sold in interior salons. However, perhaps you just need to color-match the different boards from which the project is made, imitate exotic species, or make the texture of wood more expressive and its usual color richer. If you are facing one of these tasks, it's time to start toning.

Toning is based on two types of colorants - pigments and dyes. We'll help you choose the right tool for your project and show you how to work with it.

How to choose one option from many possible

What type of dye do you prefer? You have a wide choice (photo below). The decision depends on what kind of wood you use, what kind of look you want to give it, and what kind of coating will be applied at the final stage of finishing.

For regular toning, use pigment stain or dyes. These dyes work in different ways. (photo below), and the results of their work will differ, as can be seen in the above photographs. Pigment stains are sold in paint shops, and dyes can be found in specialized stores or ordered from catalogs.

Pigment stains unevenly stain wood with areas of varying density, such as maple, birch, cherry or pine. Dyes penetrate deep into the surface, regardless of the density of the wood. After choosing the desired shade, remember that all dyes fade over time. Pigment stains retain their color the longest. Among the dyes, the most resistant are water-soluble, and oil or alcohol solutions of dyes fade rather quickly. Do not use dyes for tinting if the wood will be exposed to sunlight - in such conditions they fade very quickly.

Ease of application

The technique of tinting with pigment stains and dyes is almost the same. Test it out on a trial cut, then generously apply the coloring compound to the surface of your product and wipe off the excess to even out the color.

Then let the surface dry completely, then wipe it again to remove the plaque that forms in some places. Remember that the color of the surface changes when the composition dries, and then changes again when applying a clear varnish (photo bottom left). Dyes for wood tinting can be purchased as a ready-made solution or dry powder. Thoroughly dissolve the powdered dye and strain the finished solution (photo bottom right). Typically, the color of wood stained with dyes does not change with an increase in the number of layers of the coloring composition. It becomes darker, but remains transparent. Each new layer of pigment stain further darkens the surface color and reduces transparency.

Possible defects and their elimination

Although tinting is considered a simple operation, problems sometimes arise. But many of them can be avoided if you know what can happen.

Raising the pile. The main disadvantage of aqueous compounds is that they raise the pile on the wood. You should be prepared for this, and it is better to lift the pile in advance and carefully remove it. (photo bottom left) and then start toning.

wood color difference. Even a good board sometimes has areas and stripes of different colors, and most coloring compounds cannot hide this difference. Working with such boards is shown in photo on the rightat the bottom.Spotting. The wood of some species is stained unevenly. By pre-treating the surface with conditioner, you can achieve a more uniform toning.

On the next page (photo below) examples of such processing are shown. Darkening of the ends. The end surfaces absorb more stain than the rest of the board. To reduce color differences, sand the ends one step finer than the rest of the surfaces. Then treat them with conditioner. Tinting with dyes instead of pigment stains also helps to reduce the difference in surface color without resorting to the use of a conditioner.

Color mismatch. Sometimes the color of painted wood is different from what you expected. If the shade matches your plans, but it is too light, apply another layer of the same coloring composition. If the resulting shade is not as desired, it can be covered with a darker stain.

If the color is too dark and the surface is not yet dry, it can be lightened slightly by wiping with a suitable solvent. Water stains are washed off with water, and for oil stains you need to use white spirit.

If the water stain is already dry, you can partially remove it with an ox and re-tint the surface. Dried oil stain can often be removed with organic solvents for varnishes and enamels. If this is not enough, use a wash, then lighten the remaining stains with bleach, and then proceed to tint again.

It is possible to slightly lighten the painted surface by wiping it gently with a suitable solvent, but care must be taken to keep the shade even and to avoid spots and streaks.

Variations on a theme

We have focused your attention on pigment stains and dyes, but there are five more products that can be used to tone wood. In some cases, it is better to prefer combined coloring compositions containing pigments and dyes, colored oil-lacquer mixtures, gel stain, universal finishing compositions or the so-called "lint-free" stains (that is, stains that do not cause lint to rise). The most convenient to use are combined coloring compositions. (photo above). However, in some situations, gel stain can achieve better results. (photo below).

Colored oil-lacquer mixtures, which include the so-called "Danish" oil, contain oil, varnish, thinner and colorants. Such compositions are easy to apply, penetrate deeper into the wood and, thanks to a moderately resistant binder, can serve as an independent finishing agent.

Universal finishing compositions, used as a final finishing layer, contain a varnish (for example, polyurethane) with coloring agents. The thinner for such compositions is white spirit or ox, and the coloring matter is a dye or pigment. With their help, the finishing coating is applied simultaneously with toning. They practically do not penetrate deep into the wood and are similar in properties to paints. Because of their fast drying time, they require some skill to apply evenly in a thin layer. Additional layers darken the color and make it less transparent. When applied with a brush, it is difficult to avoid overlapping areas that will stand out as dark spots. As a rule, the use of such compositions in the finishing in the workshop should be avoided.

"lint-free" wave-based stains can be thinned with alcohol or varnish thinner, and oil-based finishes can be used over them. They dry out too quickly, making them less comfortable than regular water stains, and most hobby carpenters do just fine without them.

Expand your color palette

Most carpenters buy ready-made compounds for tinting wood, the standard range of which is available in many stores. But if you want to go beyond the usual colors or just want to experiment, learn how to change these colors to your liking. One way is to mix standard colors, but first you need to make sure that the mixes are compatible. They must use the same solvent.

Much more possibilities are provided by the addition of primary colors to finished compositions or by applying them directly to the surface of the wood. Use artistic oil paints or so-called Japanese paints if stain and oil-based varnish will be applied afterwards. If the product is covered with stain and water-based varnish, you can use acrylic paints diluted with an aqueous solution of glue. Such paints are sold in art salons and art stores.

The color wheel will tell you how to get the desired color. The most famous color wheels show how to use red, yellow and blue paints to get all the other colors.

Nevertheless, restrained shades of the so-called "earthy" range traditionally dominate in the decoration of furniture. (see photo below). Various combinations of natural and burnt umber, sienna, ocher, black and white pigments give a rich palette of beautiful shades that are used in furniture making. Experiment on scraps and, having achieved the desired result, do not forget to write down the recipe.

If you want to achieve a special shade, use the available options that most carpenters are not even aware of. Acrylic and oil art paints and a color wheel will help you get any shade that will turn the most ordinary project into something special.

We used acrylic glazes and art-shop paints to get these results on oak wood. On the left sample, natural sienna was applied, the middle one was covered with burnt umber, and on the right sample, both paints were mixed together.

You can see the difference between dyes and pigment stains. The oak board on the right was stained with golden brown, and the board below was stained with the same color stain.

Like paints, pigment stains remain on the surface of the wood, almost without penetrating into the depths. Due to the high content of pigments, the paints are opaque. Stains contain the same pigments, but in smaller quantities, so they are relatively transparent (they can be considered highly diluted paints).

The smallest pigment particles are mixed with a binder - a substance that holds the pigment after drying on the surface. The most famous oil-type binder is drying oil. Other substances are used in water stains. All pigment stains should be thoroughly mixed before application to evenly distribute the settled pigment particles in the liquid and prevent the appearance of multi-colored streaks.

Dyes are very different from pigments. They are transparent, penetrate deep into any wood, and it is easier to achieve color uniformity with them.

You can purchase ready-made dye solutions, dry powders or liquid concentrates. Powders and concentrates are diluted with an appropriate solvent: water, alcohol or one of the petroleum solvents, for example, a solvent. It is important to use the correct solvent for each type of dye. Water dye, as a rule, cannot be diluted with alcohol.

Liquid dye concentrates can often be diluted with several solvents. Alcohol dyes are the fastest drying (perhaps too fast drying, making them difficult to work with). Water-soluble dyes are safe and most convenient to use.

When toning, it is most important to consider how the color changes when the coloring composition dries. Often the carpenter, seeing the dried surface, considers it necessary to apply a few more layers to enhance the color, but this usually leads to an error. If the color of the raw surface was as desired, nothing needs to be done. This color will come back after clear coat is applied as shown in the picture. . Some colorants dry faster than others, and if the stain is already dry, it will be more difficult to remove excess stain. Water stains dry faster than oil stains. Often the dry surface will appear dusty and dull in color, but this is nothing to worry about.

By mixing dry dye powder with alcohol or water, you will not be able to completely dissolve all its particles, despite the thoroughness of mixing. Let the solution stand, then stir again, and then strain through a paper coffee maker filter, cheesecloth or nylon stocking to get rid of undissolved particles. Always wear a dust mask when working with dry powder, as it is very dusty and can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. To achieve the desired shade, you can mix pigment stains with dyes, if they are diluted in the same solvent. For best results, mix products from the same manufacturer. You should also dilute each coloring agent separately before mixing them with each other. Do not add a powder or concentrate of one color to a ready-made solution of another color.

Water stains and dyes raise the pile on the wood. The tiny fibers swell and remain raised like bristles. If you apply a layer of finishing composition (lacquer or paint), the surface will resemble sandpaper.

The easiest way to deal with this phenomenon (before applying a stain or water-based dye) is to lift the pile and then remove it. Moisten the surface with clean water from a spray bottle and let it dry completely. Now, by grinding or scraping, remove the raised villi. Simple and effective scrapers are made from replacement blades for craft knives. Hold the blade almost vertically, as shown in the photo, and carefully scrape the surface.

Wood can have different colors, and it is not always possible to completely correct this difference with a single coat of stain. It is most difficult to do this on woods such as cherry or walnut, in which the sapwood is much lighter than the heartwood.

If you want the whole surface to be dark, apply stain only to the sapwood, as shown in this cherry plank example. After drying, apply another layer of the same stain, covering the entire part with it. If you want to achieve a uniform coloration of the entire surface, the color of the stain should match the color of the heartwood. Use this stain only on sapwood areas.

Pine, cherry, maple and birch wood on the surface of the same board has areas of different density. Such heterogeneity is the cause of uneven toning when using pigment stains. Soft areas absorb more stain than hard areas and appear darker after toning.

You can reduce the effect of heterogeneity with the help of a conditioner, applying it before toning. Conditioner is a type of binder that closes wood pores, and you can see the result of its application in the photo on the left.

We used Minwax conditioner and a red-brown stain on the left pine board, while the right board is stained only.

You can make your own conditioner. If polyurethane varnish is chosen for the top layers of the coating, make a conditioner from one part of varnish diluted with five parts of thinner. Apply this mixture to the surface, dry, lightly sand with #220 sandpaper, and then tint with a stain.

Combined formulations containing dye and pigment stain usually delaminate during long-term storage on the store shelf. The dye remains in solution, and the pigments settle to the bottom of the jar. To obtain the original color, the composition should be thoroughly mixed. You can determine such compositions with a stick by lowering its end to the bottom of the jar. If there is a clot on it, and the stick itself becomes colored (see. photo below) you are dealing with a combined composition. The dye stains dense areas of the wooden surface, and the pigment accumulates in the pores. Such compositions tint problematic rocks more evenly, but in order to further reduce color heterogeneity, it is better to apply a conditioner first. Combined formulations are applied in different ways.

At the top of the jar, when left unstirred, is a dye solution that can be used directly to tint wood or added to a compatible lacquer to make a toner (more on that in the next article in this series).

By slightly mixing the contents of the can, you will get a slightly different shade of the same color. Thorough mixing will give another shade. Finally, the pigment residue, if not stirred, is excellent for use as a patina, which will be discussed in the next article.

Stain-gel consists of a pigment, a dye or a mixture thereof and an oil- or water-based binder. Strictly speaking, it is a kind of paint that covers the surface without being absorbed into it. Such stains hide the texture pattern a little, but it is easier to achieve color uniformity with them (see photo). photo below). The left sample was coated with a conventional water stain, and a gel stain was used to tint the right sample. Stain-gel is great for applying the so-called patina. The patination technique allows you to add colored layers between the layers of the base coat and imitate a texture pattern on any surface. For example, you can make two different boards look like each other and turn the hardboard into oak.

The positive properties of wood are enormous: high strength, environmental friendliness, ideal heat-saving properties, natural decorative effect. But under the influence of natural conditions, wooden objects and building wood used for outdoor and indoor work are deformed and rot. In addition, it is prone to the formation of mold, fungi and damage by insects. However, all these negative nuances are easily eliminated if you apply oil tinting on wood. To protect wood (wood products) from getting wet, to protect against negative influences such as rotting, mold, fungus, impregnation is used - a special tinting oil for wood. The tinting oil is deeply absorbed, filling the pores and fibers, strengthens the structure of the tree, which becomes moisture resistant and acquires increased strength.

The principle of the oil

The principle of action of the tinting oil is the impregnation of wood, deep absorption, filling of all pores, in order to exclude the access of insects, dust, moisture and dirt to the fibers, to give strength, resistance to negative external influences and biological aging. The tinting oil applied to the surface of the wood emphasizes the natural beauty wood and preserves its natural texture pattern, creates a feeling of warm and natural wood, allows you to give the wood an original appearance and unexpected shades.

What types of wood oils are there?

In the modern domestic and foreign chemical industry, thanks to amazing developments, a wide range of types of oils for wood is presented, including: for interior work, for outdoor work, for different types of wood, universal, with and without beeswax, for fire protection with the addition of special material. It is made on the basis of natural resins and oils. Among the main and frequently used natural oils, sunflower, linseed, soybean, olive, jojoba, and pine resin are used. The palette of tinting oil for wood is varied and large, and therefore the oil not only completely protects the wood and extends its life, but also gives it bright multi-colored shades for every taste, giving the product sophistication and beauty.

Properties and characteristics of tinting oil for wood

All tinting oils have very important properties when interacting with wood. Wood soaked in oil:

becomes less susceptible to wear, dirt, chipping, cracking and scratching;
does not fade in the sun;
does not respond to changes in temperature and humidity;
ideal for porous wood species, because, penetrating deep into the pores of the tree, it does not clog them, while the tree “breathes”;
non-toxic, harmless for impregnation in children's rooms;
does not require pre-treatment of wood with soils;
does not require constant dilution and mixing while working with it;
does not have an unpleasant and pungent odor.

Oils for wood tinting are characterized by the fact that, regardless of their composition and scope, they resist the formation of bacteria, are well and quickly absorbed, and increase the life of the treated products. And not only. There are special oils for wood, which are typical for wooden household items, a variety of wooden and plywood shelves that interact with food. It is very important to buy tinting for wood and treat places of high humidity on kitchen furniture, as it can prevent the appearance of mold bacteria on wood.

How are tinted oils different from each other?

Tinting oils differ from each other in composition, application technology and purpose (for outdoor or indoor use), but they all serve mainly to protect wood from the damaging effects of the external environment and aggressive influences of a different nature.

Linseed oil is in particular demand of consumers, after tinting which surfaces acquire a beautiful silky, matte sheen or a clear, natural shade of colored linseed oil, according to the color palette. Other characteristic features of linseed oil are better absorbency than other oils, and resistance to the development of bacteria. Linseed oil can be used as an independent decorative coating, both for interior and exterior use. Impregnation of wood with linseed oil improves the appearance of wood, increases the service life of products, and is perfectly tinted to any shade. Processed products are resistant to cracks, fading, drying.

Advantages of oils over other formulations

The tree has never gone out of fashion, it is rightfully considered the most popular material in construction, as the noble shades of valuable wood fill with luxury and wealth. If earlier wood was popular only due to the lack of other materials for construction, now we are trying to buy wooden materials for the main reason - environmental safety, durability. What to use for processing (tinting) wooden structures, furniture, various products in the house, in the country, in an apartment, in a bathhouse, on a balcony, in a garage? With all the variety of materials for wood processing, in order to ensure a long and effective service life, it is worth choosing and buying the material that, according to its technical characteristics, is suitable for use for specific purposes. When choosing a material, you must consider:

type of wood;
operating conditions (humidity, air or room temperature);
the history of previous coverages, if any.

Basically, wood stain, varnish, oil are used to tint wood.

Liquid impregnation for wood, called stain, in its basis of manufacture can be water, alcohol and oil. It is produced in the form of a ready-to-use solution and in the form of a powder, it allows you to paint basically in the shades of any wood from the lightest to the darkest. Water-based stain has a significant drawback - it lifts the wood fibers, which makes the wood susceptible to moisture. Therefore, before applying the stain, you need to wet the tree, hold it for a while, then saturate it with stain.

Alcohol-based stain dries very quickly - this is the main drawback, as a result of which stains form on the treated surface. Uniform coloring is obtained if the stain is applied from the spray gun.

Oil stain gives wood any color that can be obtained by mixing oil-soluble dyes, is diluted with White Spirit thinner, dries quickly, does not pick up fibers and is applied evenly. To achieve the desired coloration of wood, it must be covered with at least two layers, and each of these layers must be completely dry.

You can buy wood stain in various colors: rosewood, mahogany, oak, teak, walnut. To most accurately match the colors, they can be mixed with each other, getting the desired shade.

Lacquer when applied to wood forms a protective dense layer (film) with a depth of no more than 1 mm. If a varnished wood is exposed to temperature changes, it can crack and exfoliate. The lacquered surface has some difficulties in restoration. The old layer of varnish must be removed, the surface sanded and the wood surface varnished again. One of the disadvantages of varnish is the content of harmful substances in it. It is also important that a small amount of moisture can pass through the surface treated with varnish, but it will not be able to go back, which leads to early destruction of the surface of the wooden product.

The advantages of oils over other formulations are clearly obvious. Oils consist of natural substances, are absorbed into the structure of the tree, do not create a protective film, retain the natural texture of the tree, are not afraid of temperature changes, while the tree does not crack, it becomes soft and velvety. For a long time, for example: the parquet floor was covered with oil, although there was not much choice of oils. At present, it is possible to buy environmentally friendly parquet oil with high quality indicators freely. It can be both transparent and with the addition of dyes (two in one - impregnating floor protection and its simultaneous tinting in the desired color or shade). The wooden (parquet) floor covered with oil looks very natural.

Oil application methods

Oil treatment of wood begins with surface preparation.

do not wipe the surface with a damp cloth (wood moisture content should not exceed 15%);
clean the wood from dirt and plaque and dry well.
if the work is done outdoors, then the weather should be sunny, and if indoors, then it should be dry.

Rubbing means that the tree is rubbed 3-4 times along the fibers with a cotton cloth or any other lint-free cloth soaked in oil. You can also use a brush or applicator for rubbing, but in this case, the oil consumption will be much higher.

When applying, constantly remove excess oil with a clean cloth.

Always be sure to maintain the consumption indicated by the manufacturer on the bank.

After drying of the 1st layer, if necessary, cover the 2nd layer to obtain a darker color.

In the second way, by soaking, small items are processed: crafts, knife handles and other items. In this case, the product is completely immersed in oil for a certain time, then rubbed and dried. The disadvantage of this method is the high consumption compared to the rubbing method.

Advantages of ZAR tinting oil over other oils

ZAR oil products are in great demand among buyers. The presented product has no analogues in the world. It is always on sale, it is mainly used for interior woodwork. When applying oil on horizontal surfaces, it is recommended to top coat with ZAR polyurethane varnish, regardless of the base, or with tung oil. When using it outdoors, it must be topcoated with outdoor varnish (ZAR Ultra Exterior).

The formula of linseed and tung oil allows you to apply them on vertical and horizontal surfaces.

The uniqueness of ZAR tinting oil for wood lies in the fact that the consumption of this oil reaches 70 sq.m. for 1 quart (0.946 l) of oil. Compared to oils from other manufacturers, this consumption is at least 2 times less.

The advantage of these oils is that they are fast drying oils compared to other oils such as soybean, hemp, sunflower. The product coated with ZAR tinting oil, in comparison with other oils, does not fade over time during operation and is not toxic. The UV filter in the formula of these oils does not allow the wood to burn out under the influence of sunlight.

The surface treated with ZAR tinted oil has a very high level of water resistance and durability. Another advantage of using ZAR oils is that it gives the wood a noble matte shade.

Toning can significantly change the color of wood. It is used when the carver does not have wood on hand that would be the desired color. Another option is veneer.

How to tint small relief carving

Slotted and small-relief carvings (especially for high relief) are characterized by swelling from the slightest manifestations of moisture. In addition, the products warp, completely changing the shape and appearance.

When tinting such a thread, you can use natural dyes or the dye of an old felt-tip pen, diluted to the desired concentration with turpentine (this substance does not cause the wood to swell and deform). After the staining procedure, the product should be dried well, then coated with nitro-lacquer (this substance does not interact with turpentine).

You can tint using natural dyes. It is performed by applying prepared dyes to the product, making light touches with a soft brush. It is worth refraining from toning the entire product at a time, the solution is applied only to the surface of very bright places. During toning, swelling of the wood and deformation of the thread should be avoided. All other places that need tinting are corrected only when the first layer of the solution dries.

Since there is a possibility that wood with small relief carvings will swell, tinting, apart from the turpentine method, is mainly carried out after varnishing the product.

Toning of lacquerware

The tinting applied to the varnish allows you to instantly see the result of staining (if varnished after tinting, the final color of the wood will change slightly). When carrying out such tinting, water-soluble dyes are not used, but substances that are soluble, for example, in acetone, are used. Felt pens have the necessary qualities: felt from a written felt-tip pen is dipped into varnish. In this case, the felt-tip pen core is deformed, and the varnish is immediately painted. Varnish, tinted to the required concentration, is applied to the product.

Lacquered wood is conveniently tinted with alcohol stain.

Since the methods described above do not contain natural components, it is logical to assume that all of them are not durable, but only temporary, and, in addition, have insufficient light fastness. It is best to use natural ingredients, for example, onion peel, which stains hot water well and is practically insoluble in alcohol. Such a solution is applied to the surface of the product, coated with varnish, several times. The result of toning is a rather faint shade of golden color. A more intense solution of natural ingredients is obtained with vodka (stain stain dissolves very well in it).

Toning with oil paint

Such toning is carried out by rubbing the surface almost dry with a small amount of oil art paint. Most often, red or orange paint is used. With the help of oil paint provide good light fastness. Such toning is mainly used for wood that requires color conversion in small areas from the very beginning.

Before tinting, the surface of the product is coated with vegetable oil or a mixture of vegetable oil and a small amount of drying oil (about 15% concentration). Excess oil after soaking is carefully removed with a dry cloth. A small amount of paint (undiluted) is rubbed into the wood with a finger or a brush that has very short bristles. While rubbing the paint, you need to make sure that the texture of the wood does not change. If the tone is too strong, remove excess paint with a cloth previously moistened with oil. The tinted product is kept for one to two weeks and varnished or oiled.

Toning with colored pencils

Toning is carried out on wood rubbed with a small amount of vegetable oil. The pencil pigment is rubbed into the wood. It is fixed there when the oil dries. It is desirable in the process of toning to repeat the drawing of wood with a pencil in some places. After the oil is completely dry, the tint is fixed with varnish.

Toning using natural dyes

Tinting is carried out using the following solutions:

A decoction of sawdust and nut chips, larch, willow, sandalwood, apple, oak, alder, eucalyptus (often green walnut peel is added).
Decoction of tea, saffron and onion peel.

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There is a wide variety of stains for wood, differing in color and composition. Wood will always be popular, because it is a beautiful and environmentally friendly 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 to wooden materials, but also give your products an unusual and noble appearance.

What is wood stain

Wood is a strong and durable material that 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.

Choose the color of stain for wood should be depending on the interior design

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:

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.
Wood staining will protect furniture from insects and rot, while preserving the texture and pattern of the wood.
Stain is a protective agent that 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.
With the help of a stain, you can make even inexpensive pine, painted with colored stain, look like a noble and strong oak and exotic mahogany.
Stain toning can lighten the wood. This technique is especially often used before painting wooden products.
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 with stains not only solid wooden boards, 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 do not have a strong unpleasant odor and are easy to use.

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

A water-based wood stain can significantly improve the appearance of wood flooring.

The main characteristics of water stain:

The colors of the water-based stain are very diverse. With their help, you can create a very interesting iridescent effect.
You can use water beytsy without fear for your health. Even at the highest temperatures, such products do not emit harmful fumes.
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.
Toning a wooden surface with 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

Oil-based stain 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, such tinting does not fade under the influence of sunlight, gives the tree resistance to temperature extremes and protects it from moisture. You can remove stains of oil stain with the help of White Spirit solvent, it 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.

You can apply an oil-based stain with a regular brush.

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 stains are very easy to apply, they lay down in a uniform layer and do not leave stains and streaks. However, due to the rapid drying of such stains, 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 a variety of 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.

Before choosing a wood stain color, you should study the recommendations of designers

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 stain color, first of all, pay attention not to the color palette that is printed on the package, but to the 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. A non-aqueous stain will not be able to paint a pine board well enough if it is not previously desalted, but water-based stains are generally unsuitable for resinous wood species.

White wood stain

To make furniture white, it is not necessary to paint it. A brightening stain is also suitable for such work, 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 visually expand the room by applying it to the floor covering or on wooden walls.

With the help of white stain, you can achieve a very interesting effect and make an aged coating. It must first be painted with a white water-based stain, 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 black bark shavings, and some chemical elements, it can be made at home. Homemade stain is not only effective, it is also natural.

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.
Grind dried walnut shells into 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.
Brewed tea or coffee can give the tree different shades. The intensity of the colors depends on the strength of the tea leaves.
With a solution of potassium permanganate, you will color the product in a cherry color.
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.

To properly make a stain with your own hands, you must first watch the training video

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:

First of all, it is necessary to remove a layer of old paint from the surface of the product. You can do this with sandpaper.
Next, the surface is degreased with alcohol, white spirit or gasoline. If the product is made from resinous tree species, then it is deresined.
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)

Wood stain is a great way to replace one wood color with another. Such funds come in different types, they can have different compositions and colors. Use the stain correctly, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful product.