Water stain: advantages and disadvantages

Wood stain not only performs protective functions, but also gives the tree an aesthetic appearance. With the help of such solutions, you can freshen up the old wood coating or give the desired shade to a new product without changing its natural structure. One type of these mixtures is a water-based stain that has its own distinctive features. The advantages and disadvantages of this solution will be considered in more detail in this article.

In contrast to paints, which create only a dense upper color layer, the stains fill the very structure of the material with color, without disturbing its texture.Aqueous compositions paint products in natural wood shades, which allows you to update old wood coatings without creating visibility of surface treatment with any coloring mixture.

Water-based stain, unlike other species, is best able to emphasize the natural structure of wood. However, you need to be careful when applying to it a mixture that has a different density on some parts of the surface.

Aqueous compositions do not have an unpleasant odor and do not contain harmful substances. In addition, this type of stain can change the shade - to make it brighter or more saturated. To do this, it is enough to dilute the solution with water. To make the shade become darker and more saturated, the tinting mixture can be applied on the surface in several layers.

Water based formulations are available as a prepared solution or as a dry blend. Powdered materials before application must be diluted in water. Wood-based stain is quite popular due to its low cost and ease of application.Before starting work it is worth remembering that this mixture dries for quite a long time.

Due to its composition, water-soluble stain has several advantages over other types of tinting blends.

Highlight the main advantages:

• small price;
• lack of smell;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of application.

Water-soluble mixture is not the most functional type of stain.

• They are characterized by long drying (fifteen hours).
• After processing and drying, the pile may rise on the surface of the material. In this case, the wood must be sanded.
• Water stain applied in large quantities to the product, after drying, can cause cracking of the surface.

Modern manufacturers of building materials also produce universal tinting mixtures that can be attributed to a variety of water stain.Water, alcohol or acetone can be used as a diluent for universal formulations. The advantage of making alcohol or acetone solution from a universal mixture is that it will dry faster.

On the modern market of building materials there are many types of stain, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Types of tinting solutions primarily differ in composition.

Non-aqueous mixtures are made from polymers, coloring components and organic solvents. Such a solution forms a waterproof film on the surface. Unlike a water-based mixture, this species does not cause swelling of the tree structure. It is not necessary to varnish the surface after applying a non-aqueous stain on it.

The non-aqueous solution has its disadvantages:

• Sharp unpleasant smell. Despite the fact that it quickly disappears, during the work the room must be well ventilated.
• If dust gets on the solution or the dry surface, it will be quite problematic to remove it.
• Defects that may appear on the surface due to inaccurate application of the solution (drips, stains) are difficult to remove.
• The mixture dries for a long time. Drying time averages twelve hours.

Alcohol mixtures are a solution of dyes and alcohol. When finishing works, the coloring components penetrate into the wood structure, and the alcohol evaporates. This solution has a high drying rate, which ranges from fifteen to thirty minutes. Apply this compound quickly to avoid uneven coating and staining.

Alcohol-based stain resistant to moisture and ultraviolet rays. The disadvantages of this solution include bad odor.

Nitromorilki are made on the basis of solvents. They dry quickly and also require quick application to the material.

Oil mixtures are most often produced on the basis of flax seed oil. This composition forms a coating resistant to sunlight. The surface for a long time will not fade and will have a pristine appearance.

Oil-based stain easily and evenly rests on the surface without raising the wood fibers. The drying time of the solution can be from two to four hours.

Acrylics are environmentally friendly and odorless. In addition, such mixtures are fireproof. Acrylic stain is good for all types of trees and dries quickly. Acrylic solutions are most often used for the treatment of wooden floors. At drawing several layers it is necessary to observe extra care as the probability of emergence of spots is great.

Wax solutions can process previously painted surfaces. After drying, this mixture forms a protective waterproof layer on the product. The wax coating gives the wood brightness, but does not penetrate into the structure of the material. It should be remembered that you can not treat the surface with a wax solution before applying a two-component varnish.

Whitening stain is made on the basis of acids. Such a solution is able to make the surface a few shades lighter. This composition is intended for the preparation of wood before further processing with paints and varnishes.

Aqueous mixtures may be inferior in certain characteristics to other types of stain. However, water-soluble formulations are low cost and safe for health.Such a solution is perfect for interior work, as it does not have an unpleasant smell.

Since water stains are designed to emphasize the texture of wood, and not to hide it, manufacturers produce mixtures in a color scheme that matches the existing natural shades of tree species. Non-standard palette of shades (non-wood bright colors, as well as white and black tone) is inherent only in acrylic, wax and oil solutions, which are used to paint the surface.

A mixture of water-based are available in a wide color range: from light shades to rich dark. The closest shade to black is the ebony tone. It should be borne in mind that for different manufacturers the same shade may have different names.

Water-based colored stains usually have the following shades:

• citric;
• larch;
• maple;
• oak;

• mocha;
• rosewood;
• walnut;
• mahogany;
• the Red tree;
• burgundy;
• plum;
• eben

The final result of wood treatment with wood stain affects not only the quality of the solution, but also the correctness of its application.

There are a number of rules that must be followed when stained with water:

• the solution is applied to the surface along the fibers;
• large areas can be coated with a spray;
• liquid is applied to small areas with soft paint brushes or foam sponge;
• to prepare a solution from dry aqueous mixtures, the powder should be diluted only in soft or purified water;

• Before treating wood with a tinting mortar, the surface must be well cleaned of dirt, grease and tar;
• before treating wood with a water composition, it is recommended to moisten the surface with water to avoid lint formation;
• if the solution is slightly warmed up before starting work, the stain will penetrate better into the structure of the material.

Water-based stain may vary in quality and some properties. When buying a solution it is recommended to make a choice in favor of well-proven products. You can pre-familiarize yourself with the popular manufacturer of water-based stain.

Company Novbythim produces a line of water stains in a wide color range. These products can be used not only for the interior, but also for the exterior finish, provided that the surface will be varnished after it has been put. The product has mostly positive customer reviews. Consumers note good quality, ease of application, low cost and harmlessness of the solution.

Water stain "Latek" improves the wear resistance of the processed material, which increases the life of the product.This solution after drying forms a vapor-permeable film, so that the coating does not fade when exposed to sunlight. Consumers of this product are quite satisfied with its quality, but caution that the color on the tester may differ significantly from the shade on the surface after staining.

Water based stain Trae lyx designed to change the shade of soft and hard wood. Solutions of different shades can be mixed together to obtain the desired color. A mixture of Trae Lyx can only be used for interior work. Stain is available in a wide color range, as well as in a transparent version.

In the next video you will find a useful video tutorial on the use of LuxDecor stain - the highest quality tools based on acrylic dispersions.