Choosing an Interior Stain

Using an interior stain on your unfinished woodwork will highlight its natural beauty. Common projects include wood doors, trim and cabinets. But, interior wood stains can be used on almost any surface in order to produce a unique look. Every type of wood, even fiberglass and steel can be stained.

Every tree species and every piece of wood has a character all its own, with a mix of hard and softer areas all on the same piece of trim. A colored wood stain will enhance these differences and possibly hide some defects.

Two main types of interior wood stains are used, wiping stain and gel stain. Many special effects can be achieved using these stains or even a combination.

Choosing an interior stain depends on your particular needs and the overall appearance you are after.

Wiping Stain

Wiping stain is the most common interior stain used today. Used by craftsmen and wood finishers for many generations, this is the easiest and most popular interior wood stain.

As the name suggests, this wood stain is applied and then wiped with a clean rag to remove the excess and even out the color. It can be applied to any wood species that has been properly stripped or has not been previously finished.

Apply with a clean white rag, brush, lamb wool pad or spray. This depends on the type and amount of wood products that will be stained. Available in oil base or water based formulations, with many color options. Can be custom tinted for greater variety of colors.

Oil base wood stains dry slower and allow for more control of the color depth and intensity. Dry time is 24 hours before the finish can be applied. Any sealer can be applied after ample drying time, this includes oil base and water base finishes. Clean up is with mineral spirits.

Water based wood stains dry much faster allowing quicker finishing, but it is more difficult to control the color. Depending on your project, staining and finishing could happen the same day. Any clear finish can be applied after complete drying. Water base products have very little odor and clean up easily with soap and water.

Gel Stain

Gel stain is an easy to use stain that provides deep uniform color to wood, fiberglass, metal, wood veneer and masonite. Gel stains full-bodied formula allows for no drips or runs, making it an excellent choice for doors and any difficult to stain surfaces.

Gel stain is the best choice for fiberglass entry doors, creating the look of stained wood. Gel stain can be applied to smooth surfaces with a graining tool, providing a wood grained effect on smooth surfaces such as metal doors.

This oil base stain can be applied with either a natural bristle brush or clean lint free rag. Typically dries quickly to the touch, but requires 12-24 hours before a clear finish can be applied. Clean up with mineral spirits.

A gel stain can produce both subtle and intense effects. Plus is a good choice for vertical surfaces. A wiping stain will be applied much faster and is the best choice for production work, when a lot of trim or doors need to be stained.

Prestain Wood Conditioner

Both types of interior stains can benefit from the use of a pre-stain wood conditioner. Applying a wood conditioner can be the most important step in order to obtain an even color, reduces the blotchy appearance of uneven interior stain penetration.

Soft or especially porous hardwoods, like pine or alder, tend to absorb stains unevenly. To ensure even color penetration it is essential to use a pre-stain wood conditioner.

The type of interior stain selected will determine the proper conditioner to use. Oil base stains require the use of oil base conditioners and water base conditioners for water base stains. Never allow the conditioner to dry on the surface prior to staining.