Difference Between Premium Wood Stain & Wiping Stain

Consistency

• A wiping stain is an oil-based gel that has a higher pigment and carrier content than premium wood stain, a liquid substance. That results in a product with more solid elements and, thus, thicker.

Uses

• Both stain types darken wood, but a March 2011 article in “Popular Woodworking Magazine” by Bob Flexner recommends applying wiping stain to low- to average-priced wood. Save premium wood stain for high-quality hardwood, except for cherry, whose surface becomes unevenly colored if you paint it with the liquid form of the product.

Application Tools

• The wiping stain is simpler to apply when you use a rag and spread the substance uniformly over the wood. Use a paintbrush to color with premium wood stain.

Properties

• A wiping stain makes it possible for you to match its shade with an existing color you want to preserve, states Timothy Bakke in an article in “Popular Science.” According to Bakke, changing the color of a traditional wood stain is practically impossible or so difficult you are better off not trying.