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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Wood Finishes - A General Overview!

Wood finishes are generally referred to as clear, transparent coatings applied to wood, to prevent moisture ingress and and to enhance it's appearance.

A wood finish is different to paint which contains a colour pigment that will hide the grain. It also differs from a wood stain which is effectively a colouring medium with thinner added that can be wiped off.

Application Of Brush Applied Wood Stain Finish

However, the word 'finish' can be confusing because it's a generic term that is often applied to all types of finish. This is why terms like lacquer finish, paint finish and wood stain finish are used, as they are more descriptive.

If finishes are used as protection, it means they protect the wood against moisture, which can warp the wood, as well as from unsightly finger marks. Generally, the thicker the finish, the better the protection.

Decorative finishes give wood a richer and deeper quality that lots of people find more appealing. The visual impact however, is more pronounced on stained darker woods.

When applying a finish, the first coat is used to seal the wood. This raises the grain and makes it feel rougher. When dry, the surface of the wood should then be lightly sanded by hand until smooth.

Where there are irregularities such as knots, they can be 'stopped off' to reduce their overall impact, using a proprietary knotting solution.

Some finishes like wood stains can be applied by brush, or cloth because they can be easily wiped off. Other finishes can be applied by spraying but more care is needed as spray guns need to be properly maintained to provide a high quality finish.

When the appearance is adversely affected by brush marks, runs and fatty edges, these can be easily rectified by sanding off and re-applying the finishing coat!

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How To Prepare Wood For A Top Quality Finish!

Wood preparation, prior to staining, should always be thorough so as to achieve a top quality finish. There are a number of factors that will determine the final outcome, including the type and quality of the wood and the curing method, which ensures optimum water content.

After cutting and planing, the next important task is to ensure that all surfaces of the wood are properly prepared ready for assembly and the application of the wood finish, whether this is a wood stain, clear lacquer, or a block colour paint..

Polmac (UK) Ltd Craftsman Using A Mechanical Sanding Wheel

Sandpaper or glass paper, as it is sometimes called, comprises sheets of paper or cloth with an abrasive material glued to one surface. However, neither sand nor glass is now used in the manufacture of sandpaper, as they have been replaced by safer and more durable, modern abrasives.

Sanding a rough surface smooth for a wood finish may seem simple enough but different woodworking experts have different opinions about how best to achieve this, in the most efficient way.

All surfaces of the wood should be sanded evenly, working through the sanding grits from course to fine. Course sanding paper is used to eliminate tool marks and flatten large surfaces. 

Then each successive sandpaper grade, from medium to fine can be used to eliminate the scratches left by the previous sanding.

On flat surfaces, sandpaper should be backed by a sanding block. These are usually made from cork, or you can use a ready made, disposable sanding block made with the sandpaper glued to rigid foam, if you prefer. 

During sanding, it's important to sight along the wood surface to ensure an even sheen with no scratches left from the previous grit. You can then move on to the next grit.

When sanding manually, you should use light even pressure, because too much pressure will mark the wood unnecessarily. The weight of your hand, combined with even strokes should be perfectly adequate.

If you decide to use a power sander, a random-orbit sander, rather than a belt or vibrating sander is best, as they rarely leave noticeable scratch patterns.

Random Orbit Sander

When using a power sander, the weight of the sander will provide sufficient pressure to give you the smooth, even finish you're looking for!

Be sure to take the above wood preparation advice seriously, if you want a top quality wood finish! 

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