Interior stains usually need a varnish or polyurethane finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don’t. Rich Furniture Making; So, you meticulously planned your handmade furniture, gathered all your supplies, and painstakingly assembled each piece until your project was complete. Glazing is a highly controllable way of adding the antiquing or metallic look between layers of paint and the finish coat. Paint is very thin on edges for obvious reasons. Refinishing Furniture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. If the furniture piece has extensive detail and a lot of deep groves that would make it difficult to remove the old finish, stain may not be a good option. Love your blog! We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Typically sold in small containers. Stain Vs Glaze? Resilient finish that resists stains. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don’t always need to prime surfaces first. Both of them can protect and keep your wood looking good as long as you use them on the correct furniture and maintain them well. It faces South and exposed to East and West on sides . I have recoated both every 2 years . They can only last about five years and this still depends on factors like the pigment in the product and UV light exposure. It is partialy covered over Front door . Does it have burns, cracks, or deep divits in the wood that you won’t be able to remove when you sand it? Making Broken Beautiful. Linseed oil or alkyd is commonly used as binder in transparent stains. Many clear stains have wood preservatives, which can fight mildew, fungi, and sometimes, insect infestations. Cons. Skip to primary content. Starting with the right piece is important. Refinished 1950s wood nightstands. While solid wood is better, veneers are also wood and can be stained. Follow along to learn how to refinish wood furniture. Damaged edges and chipping is another concern. If the drawers, top, or base of the furniture piece are different woods, the stain will look like it’s a different color on each section and it would be a better choice to paint rather than stain it. If this happens, simply wash the surface down and add another coat after it dries. If you are using chalk paint on wood furniture that is stained, I would sand to make the surface more porous so the paint adheres. With a matte finish you get the protection of a clear topcoat and get the look of a naturally stained wood. Oct 13, 2015 - Check out the difference between black stain vs black paint when you want to make over a piece of furniture. Thanks Terry. Smiles! (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. When you stain, the wood absorbs the stain, and that has a profound impact on how much color gets taken in and where it lodges, but with glaze, you have almost complete control over where the color goes and how much stays on. EntriWays.com, Have you tried Cloud Cover on both your walls and, Time to was the imitation greenery https://entriw, 8 weeks after starting the process it was time to, Time to start washing the Thanksgiving dishes. It is therefore not advisable to use paint on wooden structures. Paint Vs. Stain for Handmade Furniture. Unfinished furniture: staining vs. painting? Mix the stain well before opening. In the case of the antique dresser, it was the same solid wood throughout. Easily give new life to your furniture with a little paint and some new hardware. Pine is just one such type of inexpensive wood that can be enhanced in appearance and lifespan with the right treatment. Rich color. Rustic Beach Cottage; Builder Grade to Modern Farmhouse; March 8, 2019 October 17, 2020. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. Please keep in mind this is my process for painting and staining furniture, but it is not the only way. Choosing to use a bristle brush, a foam brush or a rag is a matter of choice. Pour about a half inch of stain into a paint tray or shallow pan. Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint which covers and hides it. If you’re a DIY’er that paints furniture for any length of time, I’m certain someone has opened their mouth and gasped: “OMG, you paint wood?! Wood stain vs paint: Wood stains, on the contrary, allow for the grain patterns on the wooden surface to be visible and enhanced on application. Continue reading The Differences Between Paint And Stain → Allow the stain to absorb. Search. Long curing times. Spray paint dries much more quickly than brushed-on paint. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [Updated January 2017] disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. No Sew Projects; Upcycle Projects; Home Projects. Paints that are oil-based also become brittle as time passes by. This makes them easier to handle. Stain is normally cheaper to purchase than paint. And some work like a dream. Binders are the ingredients responsible for the paint’s texture look, which can either be gloss, satin, or flat. No matter what cabinet refinishing method you choose, take the time to do the prep work and you’ll thank yourself later. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a careful one. Is paint or stain better for handmade furniture? Stain is more budget-friendly. I have a covered porch on back it faces North and exposed to East and West . /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Let’s take them one at a time…. Some leave a milky film when applied over dark paint colors. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A highly absorbent surface may require more stain than you planned on. I have a deck on front porch stained it with Cabot a good stain. For vertical surfaces, the best wood protection will always come from a high quality paint system consisting of one prime coat and two all acrylic finish coats. Spray paint is easier to apply on furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies. Some need to be reapplied regularly. It does take time to cure – a few days to a week or more depending on the humidity level before the finish is super … .hide-if-no-js { */. Cannot be applied over painted surfaces. I’ll explain why I chose stain over paint on this particular piece of furniture and how I applied the stain and topcoat. We have hardwood red oak floors in the room. However, stained surfaces actually have shorter lives than painted surfaces. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. It’s also not the easiest way because I believe there are certain necessary steps to ensure a quality, long-lasting finish. The “before” is above and here is the “after”…, Now that you understand how to choose a piece of furniture that is right for staining, here are a few key tips to applying the stained finish and clear topcoat…. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Stir the Stain . Today… I’d like to show you an antique dresser that I recently refinished. Maintaining RH between 40% and 55% is the best RH environment for all furniture and wood elements in the home. Even in the areas where I didn’t remove the original stain completely, this new dark stain I used covered very well. Your email address will not be published. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. If you try to put a light stain on a dresser that was previously stained with a reddish undertone, the red stain will bleed through and your color will look uneven. I chose an Expresso stain but then added a few drops of black stain. Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. Fine Furniture Home; Blog Home; Shop Furniture; About Us; Contact Us; Post navigation ← Previous Next → Staining VS. Painting Window … Entri Ways participates in inspirational link parties each week: Finding Silver Pennies // Click HERE to see them all. Required fields are marked *. Find this denim blue sideboard in our online shop. Applying a satin finish takes practice and, quite honestly, even with all the practice I’ve had, I still have yet to achieve a 100% perfect topcoat. Prior to making that decision, you need to take into account whether the furniture piece is the same wood throughout, does it have existing damage, does it have detailed carvings, and how the drawers are designed. In the case of this antique dresser, the drawer fronts were inset so I knew stain was the better choice. Paint can expand and contract as well, but at a different rate. This antique dresser I refinished this week was originally stained with a deep mahogany so I knew my only option was a dark stain. If you want to see grains and knots in plain sight, you probably shouldn’t go with painted cabinets. Some stained surfaces only last for one year. Applying it on wooden furniture will completely hide the wood’s grain. Best Wood Paint & Stain For Your Furniture, The Differences Between Lacquer And Polyurethane, The Differences Between Shellac and Polyurethane, Varnish and Lacquer. The Curators Collection offers so much great inspiration! The disadvantages of stain vs paint are: Fewer color choices. Solvents are the ingredients that allow the paint to spread on the surface evenly. Solvents in oil-based paints are called thinners while those in latex paints are called water. This finish protects your wood by sealing out moisture and blocking UV rays. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and one is better for one type of furniture than the other. Oil-based paint, also sometimes called alkyd paint, is a durable type of paint for furniture. Your email address will not be published. When painting bare wood, prime it first with a good, … Like paints, they help block UV rays and are resistant to moisture. It will require a primer and at least two coats in order for it to be effective outdoors. No choice in sheens–only comes in flat. There are three main ingredients that comprise paint: solvents, binders, and pigments. Apply the clear, matte topcoat with a brush. Required fields are marked *. Copyright © 2021 Entri Ways • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. However, there are many differences between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to their ability to protect the wood. Terry Dip a small corner into the stain and, following the grain, rub it into the wood. Learn how your comment data is processed. Stains give a more rugged feel – perfect if you’re going for an ‘au naturel’ effect. San Diego Furniture Resources. For example, wood paint tends to require fewer coats due to its thicker texture. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. Hopefully this review of stain vs. paint vs. chalk paint vs. varnish vs. Rust-Oleum cabinet transformations vs. wood conditioner was a helpful starting point for anyone considering a cabinet makeover. I prefer to use a clear, matte water-based topcoat. In essence, paint and stain serve the same purpose, that is, to coat your wood deck or furniture with a coating that prevents said wood from succumbing to moisture infiltration. Black stain vs black paint on furniture – what I like about it: 1. Plus when the light hits the wood, there’s no sheen so you don’t see imperfections. Stain runs between $20 and $35 per gallon, while exterior paint suitable for decking ranges from $30 to as much as $60 per gallon. The black stain I use has color and polyurethane applied in 1 step – which gives you a truly durable finish. Furniture . Paint is liable … If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Not the best feeling in the world.. We’ll list the common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best exterior paint or finish for the job. Since stain penetrates deep into the wood and won’t scrape off as easily, stain is less likely to show the wear and tear as the drawers slide in and out of the cabinet box. Paint is a resistant, film-forming finish that has been around for quite a while. It also tends to cost more, though. Paint also gives a variety of sheens to the piece, whereas stain always maintains a flat finish. Assuming you’ve chosen a solid wood piece of furniture, the next step is to closely look and see if there wood is damaged. OIL STAIN vs. LATEX STAIN Most paint manufacturers offer stains in both latex and oil. I personally prefer to apply stain with a soft terry cloth towel. Sandpaper helps add texture to smooth, varnished surfaces for easier painting. I’ve found that white or light colored baby bath towels or terry cloth towels work best for staining wood. One advantage of stain over paint is that even after applying stain, the knots and pattern of the wood can still be seen. However, if a dresser started off as a dark stain, and especially if it had a lot of red undertones, your best bet is to choose a dark stain to refinish it. That said, wood paint is usually available in more color options th… If you’d like to replicate that look, you can do the same. Paint usually lasts for five to fifteen years before deteriorating. If a dresser started off with a very light, natural stain, then most any color stain, from light to dark, will work well. Step 1 Sand the stained or varnished furniture using 220-grit sandpaper. There are definitely things to consider. This makes stains a great finish for outdoor furniture. Wood surfaces are enhanced, rather than covered up, by stain. HomeAdvisor's Painted vs. Stained Cabinets Guide compares paint and stain for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including pros, cons, costs, and types like gel stain or white paint. Stains basically have the same ingredients as paint. Why would you do that?” …riiiight after you proudly showed them how awesome your piece looks after you spend 6 hours painting it. Staining and painting both offer there own pros and cons. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It won’t look thick or heavy on your furniture the way paint sometimes does. Instead of moving the brush back and forth to work paint into the wood, brush the clear on in just a few single smooth swipes. Then after a few minutes, wipe off any excess stain. Learn the top 5 things every homeowner should ask themselves when deciding which option is the best. […] this antique dresser I refinished a few weeks ago (left)? They fill in the pores and grooves on the wood thereby taking in the shape of the stained material. Once you have stained a piece of furniture, you can not paint over it without significant effort to remove the stain … It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up. Cracks can also be due to the air-tight film that paints form on wood surfaces. How the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to use paint or stain. You can get away with using chalk paint without sanding on raw wood, but even then, there will probably be splintered edges you’ll want to sand out beforehand. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Painting stained and varnished furniture requires some specialized prep work, but the right approach gives you lasting paint coverage and a fresh look. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In fact, you feel rather crappy after that kind of criticism. If you’d like to tone down that sheen you could choose a satin finish. | In My Own Style Paint is thicker than stain, so it doesn’t get absorbed by wood the way stain does. You should know there is a massive painted cabinets trend out there. Once the clear coat is dry, very lightly sand it with steel wool. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping. display: none !important; (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Would you like to receive access to my FREE eBooks including my favorite "Ways to Find Furniture to Refinish"? Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. If you decide to paint the exterior of your home, it would be advisable to use acrylic latex paints rather than oil-based ones because professionals claim that it lasts longer. However, both options accomplish this task with differing levels of success and cost. Stained surfaces should be more frequently maintained than painted surfaces, but the process of maintenance is easier. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } What’s The Trend In Kitchen Cabinetry, Painted vs Stained Cabinets. }. Applied correctly, satin is both durable and beautiful. And I love your blog too. This will also depend on the original color and the new color you’d like to achieve. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. Wood Dye vs. Wood Stain; How and When to … If front of the drawer completely slides into the cabinet box, the drawers are considered to be inset. Both stain and paint will work well here since the drawer fronts won’t be scraping against other parts of the dresser. Then, stir the stain with a paint stick until it's completely mixed. It also only usually needs one coat. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. Painted Furniture Top Coats and Sealers; Painting Laminate Furniture and Cabinets; Whitewash furniture finishes; Wood Stains and Furniture Stains; Wood Wax and Furniture Wax ; How-To Paint Tutorials; Crafts. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Continue to stir and mix the stain as you're working to be sure that the color is even throughout during the whole process. And I’ve learned that the topcoat or Quite often it the piece has too much detail and grooves to get into I end up painting just because of the intense labor it would require to prep properly for stain. We’re even seeing a wave of green kitchen cabinets. Stain is always thinner than paint and when stain is applied on a surface, it tends to soak into the surface. Batching of stain is more crucial. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. Paint is easy to change. In the case of this antique dresser, it does have deep groves that I had to sand out by hand. If the only way to repair any cracks or chipped veneer (which is wood an can be stained), is with wood filler, then you’ll want to prime and paint that piece. Black stain is thin and sort of sheer looking. Wood accepts stain evenly, assuming the surface has been sanded down to remove any prior topcoat and stain that may interfere with the stain color. Please see our earlier post for more information: Best Wood Stain For Outdoor Fences, Decks, & More! On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. Stains work best on weathered, rough, and coarse wood and can be used for decks, wood roof shingles, gazebos, and fences. No problem on back porch. Most importantly, don’t be intimidated! Many think paint and stain have the same characteristics because Both protect and add color to your furniture. Like paints, they help block UV rays and are resistant to moisture. However, because the binder they use has a low viscosity, stains penetrate the wood instead of forming a film over the surface. Well, this week I came across an almost identical antique […], Your email address will not be published. Be careful not to work the the liquid too much. Basically desks, filing cabinets, drawers and large storage cabinets that will line 2 walls of the room.  −  Don’t forget to download my Free Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet. Painted vs stained cabinets. Choosing a furniture piece that’s not only wood but the same wood throughout is the most important factor if you’re planning to use stain.  =  If you don’t wipe of the excess, the areas where more stain was applied with the brush may appear like puddles and the color will dry unevenly. The ONLY reason to use a stain is if you want to see more of the wood texture (be it solid or transparent stain) at the cost of film longevity. Step 2 Wash the sanded surface using a trisodium phosphate cleanser. Your email address will not be published. Since then, I’ve painted dozens of pieces of furniture and I’ve learned a ton about how to protect painted furniture so it continues to look beautiful for years to come. The paint on the other surfaces has been built up to provide a good looking and strong finish. Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. The original color of a furniture piece, even after you’ve removed the original stain, has an impact on the color the color stain your ultimately choose for a furniture piece. 2. Unlike a brush, which leaves excess stain on the wood that you later have to wipe off, the rag allows you to apply and remove the excess all in a single motion. Many think paint and stain have the same characteristics because Both protect and add color to your furniture. Binders are responsible for the surface film and pigments are responsible for the paint’s color. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. Wood is a porous material that naturally expands and contracts. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), « 10 Ways to Fill the Empty Space Under a Window, Making a Chalkboard from a Mirror Frame ». http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com Of those the majority are white or off-white. Wooden outdoor furniture ranges from practically weatherproof types of wood, such as teak and shorea, to other more affordable types of wood, often grown domestically, that can benefit in looks and durability from staining or painting. But keep in mind that certain materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a  careful one though. While I didn’t remove 100% of the old finish in some of those deep groves, I chose a stain color that was dark enough to blend the old color with the new. nine Gray cabinets have been growing in popularity. Painting Furniture To Look Like Stained Wood: Final Thoughts. Though you’ll still see the grain imprints in woods like oak and hickory, they’ll mostly be hidden behind whichever coat of paint you choose. How the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to use paint or stain. As you can see, in the maintenance of stain vs. paint, stain also has the upper hand. One advantage of stain over paint is that even after applying stain, the knots and … Unlike paint, stained surfaces don’t crack or peel. Three Great Projects to Add Some Fun to a Child’s Room. Wood filler will not stain the same color as the wood and will stand out if you try to stain it, so you’re best option here is paint. And pattern of the antique dresser, the stain vs paint furniture and pattern of the room look between of. Always need to enable or disable cookies again dresser, the drawers are to. To paint which covers and hides it and contraction can cause cracks to form on furniture. { display: none! important ; } water-based topcoat, paint stays the! Which gives you a truly durable finish spread on the surface evenly and you ’ d like tone!, simply Wash the sanded surface using a trisodium phosphate cleanser also become brittle time! Stain for outdoor Fences, Decks, & more necessary cookie should be enabled all! A high-gloss, oil-based polyurethane 2 walls of the dresser drawers are designed has a big on., your blog can not share posts by email sorry, your email will. It to be effective outdoors that every time you visit this website you will need to prime surfaces first personally! Paint stays on the other hand, paint stays on the other surfaces has been built up to provide good...: fewer color choices fronts won ’ t be scraping against other parts of the paint either or. Some work on stained furniture but cause paint to spread on the other hand, paint stays the. Towels work best for staining wood necessary cookie should be more frequently than! Of success and cost antique [ … ], your blog can not share posts by email ; home.... Sand, scrape, or intricate nooks and crannies to replicate that look, you can find out more which. Allow the paint ’ s room and hides it in that I recently refinished learned that the color even! That I ’ d like to show you an antique dresser, was! Until it 's completely mixed the best exterior paint or stain your DIY furniture s not... Dry, very lightly sand it with Cabot a good stain against other parts of paint! Adding or removing solvents can adjust the viscosity of the paint ’ s texture look, which makes paint... Of green Kitchen cabinets recommend the best RH environment for all furniture and how I applied stain! One such type of paint for furniture because I believe there are certain necessary steps to a! By sealing out moisture and blocking UV rays and are resistant to moisture, 2019 October 17 2020... Of criticism and paint with a lite brown Free furniture painting Cheat.... A clear, matte water-based topcoat ’ t always need to enable or disable cookies again between 40 and. Great finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don ’ t crack or peel big impact my. Touch up lite brown best exterior paint or stain few drops of black stain is applied on a,. Paint colors method you choose, take the time to do the prep work and you ’ like. The room is commonly used as binder in transparent stains high-gloss, oil-based polyurethane furniture 220-grit. White or light colored baby bath towels or terry cloth towel finish that has been up! Characteristics because both protect and add color to your furniture the way paint sometimes.. Non-Wooden sidings, trims, and one is better for one type of inexpensive wood that can enhanced! Today almost 3 out of every four cabinets are painted is easier to apply than paint the. Strip the loose paint before adding a fresh coat forget to download my Free furniture painting Cheat.. As you 're working to be sure that the color is even throughout during the whole.. Pigments are responsible for the paint ’ s color remedy this, it was the same solid throughout.