Using Natural Wood & Colour Stains!

The principal reason for staining wood boxes with natural wood and colour stains is to provide a beautiful, alternative finish to imported hardwoods, which can be expensive!

However, wood is an organic material that has variations in colour, texture and grain etc., even from the same log, which means there is not always an exact match from one wooden box to the next.

Polmac Natural Wood Stain Finishes

These variations are perfectly acceptable and indeed desirable, in order to maintain the natural beauty and character of wood, as long as they're within reasonable limits!

However, the goal is always to keep the final colour and finish as consistent as possible, which is why it's so important to visually select the wood and use the best wood stain available!

Wood comprises millions of cells (or pores) that absorb the liquid stain. The rate at which the stain is absorbed, along with other factors such as the colour of the cells, will determine the final colour, when the wood stain is applied!

The very best wood stains are intended to reveal the natural grain of the wood. This is one of the main attractions, because by revealing the grain, a beautiful, translucent effect is produced, that many people find irresistible!

It follows that the darker the stain, the more consistent the final colour will look, because darker wood stains will mask the wood grain and any blemishes more effectively than lighter wood stains!

However, grain pattern can also affect the stain matching process.

Wood pores in a piece of wood are arranged more or less consistently. It's this grain pattern, combined with the natural colour of the wood, which distinguishes one piece of wood from the next.

However, the grain pattern in each piece of wood can still vary, due to naturally occurring blemishes and the differences become even more pronounced when a stain is applied!

Other factors that influence the final colour of the wood are the way the logs are cut in the saw mill, the absorption time of the liquid stain, the age of the wood and the moisture content. 

For instance, wood that's extremely dry can absorb more wood stain than one that has a higher, moisture content, which means the colour will be darker!

Keep in mind that there are a wide range of wood stains from oil-based to water-based and these will also affect the final colour and appearance.

As a general rule, using oil-based wood stains will provide better protection from finger marks and will keep wood boxes pristine for longer than water based wood stains!

Only by removing or reducing the differences in natural colour, grain pattern, cut, absorption time, age and moisture content between the different pieces of wood can a more consistent colour match be obtained. This is key!

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Wood Stain Or Paint? - That's The Question!

Wood stains are widely used to decorate and protect wood surfaces and to prevent yellowing caused by exposure to Ultra Violet (UV) radiation.

Wood staining is used to enhance the natural beauty, texture and grain character of wood and is a premium quality, alternative finish to more expensive hardwoods and block paints. It will also conceal any minor wood defects, or blemishes that may exist.

Polmac Natural Woodstain Finishes

Wood stains allow the grain character and texture of the wood to be preserved and enhanced, because the liquid stain flows into the natural pores and grooves taking the shape of the wood itself.

Wood stains raise and make the wood grain more pronounced, so it's advisable to sand the surface first, using multiple grades of sandpaper, to remove any scratches and blemishes and to provide a smooth even finish.

Most wood stains are transparent or semi-transparent and are used to soften, or change the colour of wood, leaving the surface texture still visible. However, semi-opaque wood stains which mask the wood completely are also available.

Wood stains are supplied in a variety of vibrant colours and natural wood finishes, adding a beautiful subtle quality to wood.

Wood stains and paints are similar because they add richness and colour to wood but there are differences in look, character and application.

Painting leaves a thin film on the wood, which helps to hide more pronounced scratches and blemishes. Consequently there is no need to sand the wood.

Block Colour Paints

Using a primer allows the uniform absorption of the paint, thus providing an even finish across the entire surface of the wood. The more coats of paint that are applied the more it masks the wood underneath.

Wood stains are applied directly to the wood using a soft rag cloth, sponge, brush or sponge roller, wheras pint is chiefly applied with soft brush and roller.

Water based wood stains do not protect the wood, so it's a good idea to add a coat of clear lacquer as a final finishing coat. However, proprietary wood stains with the lacquer already mixed in are also available, so a final coat is unnecessary!

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Stains Can Be Beneficial Especially On Wood!

Making wood, presentation boxes from hardwoods such as Oak, Maple and Beech, can be expensive, so Polmac (UK) Ltd uses a range of beautiful, coloured wood stains, as an alternative. 

Polmac Wood Stain Finishes

These are applied to base woods such as Linden or Alder wood, as a more economic solution, whilst at the same time preserving the high quality finish that customers demand!

Light coloured woods, such as oak, pine, or ash can look dull with no wood staining, so it's used to highlight and compliment the wood grain, to provide a more vibrant finish.

Polmac wood stains are a mixture of dyes and pigments, mixed with water that can be applied with a brush, a sponge, or a spray gun.

The pigments lodge in the wood pores and the dyes are absorbed into the wood cells. This gives the wood a subtle, translucent quality, that oil based block colours cannot match.

Pigmented, wood stains are also more resistant to fading in direct sunlight and are easier to apply evenly than dyes alone.

Water-based wood stains, dry very quickly, so powered, spray guns are used before they becomes tacky. Using spray guns, also means that a perfectly even finish can be achieved and the job can be finished in one day. 

 Polmac Wood Stain Power Spraying

After the wood stain dries, a clear lacquer seal is applied, to preserve the finish and prevent finger marks remaining on the wood, when handled!

A wide range of colours are available, which means that wood stains are better for colour matching purposes, than oil based alternatives.

Many Polmac wood boxes are made from Linden and Alder wood, because the colour and texture of the wood is ideal for colour staining purposes!

Polmac, Linden and Alder wood, presentation boxes are beautifully made, versatile and terrific value, which means they boost bottom-line, product sales!

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