Furniture Dye Vs. Stain

Historical Techniques

• Woods such as mahogany and oak that contain an abundance of natural-occurring pigments or tannins lend themselves to a homemade chemical stain produced by soaking steel wool and nails in vinegar. An application of this formulation, followed by a black dye stain topped with a light misting of black lacquer, produces a finish that looks like expensive ebony wood. The opposite of this darkening, ebonizing process is pickling, which lightens open-grain woods such as white oak or ash. Pigmented white paint is applied and immediately wiped off. Both ebonized and pickled woods may be protected by a water-based clear acrylic lacquer.

Pigmented Stain

• Finely ground mineral powders held in suspension by an oil or water-based thinner mixed with resin form a pigmented stain that works well on open-grain woods such as oak, walnut, mahogany and ash. The amount of color absorption is controlled by how much stain is wiped off the wood after application. Pigmented stains are also commonly marketed as wiping stain or penetrating oil. Oil-based stains require clean up with mineral spirits or paint thinner, while water-based products need only water.

Dyes

• Stains that contain smaller particles dissolved in lacquer, alcohol, oil or water are dyes. Dyes highlight wood grain more effectively than pigment stains by penetrating deeply into the wood and leaving more surface color. Uneven penetration into wood grain can make dyes more difficult to control than pigmented stain. An initial coating of the wood with the solvent used to make the dye, followed by a light sanding before the dye itself is applied, can result in a more uniform coating.

Combination and Gel Stains

• Some products combine both pigment stain and dye. These stains must be mixed thoroughly before application, because pigment tends to settle at the bottom of the container and dye remains in solution form on top. Gel stains are thickened pigmented or dye products that are easy to apply. Drips are avoided, and even color application is easily achieved. Gel stains may be useful for woodworkers new to the staining and finishing process.