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 Carving For Beginners!

Polmac (UK) Ltd has been using hand carving techniques, as well as other techniques, to embellish our decorated wood boxes for many years.

There is real craftsmanship involved in hand carving complex patterns on wooden boxes and this takes time but there are some basic skills that you need to learn before you start. 

Wood Relief Carving Leaf Motifs

It's important to use the right tools for the job, so learn which tools are used to accomplish which particular task and practice using them.

Use soft woods like Basswood, because they're easy to carve. This will allow you to learn the basic techniques of wood carving without having to wrestle with a hard wood that's tough to carve.

Polmac (UK) Ltd traditionally uses Linden and Alder which are woods that are soft enough to carve easily and are also ideal for wood staining purposes.

Polmac (UK) Ltd Decorated Boxes

Most importantly, ensure your wood carving tools are always sharp, because then you can cut cleanly and evenly into the wood.

If you take care, it's even possible to cut across the grain. However, remember that it's always better to carve with the grain, rather than against it!

Tip: To prevent the grain from tearing away, cut in from both sides.

Sharp hand carving tools are also safer to use than blunt ones, because with blunt tools you'll invariable need to use more pressure. Accidents can then happen, because by using more pressure, your tools may slip and slide.

It's also important to learn more about the wood itself, particularly the characteristics of the end grain and how it can help or hinder you.

Be ambitious and use your own designs. They don't have to be complicated but it will give you a great sense of satisfaction to produce carvings that you have designed yourself. If this doesn't come easily, don't worry, because the more you practice, the better you'll become.

Start with simple designs, that you know you can easily accomplish and build on that to produce more intricate designs.

You can also experiment with  different kinds of carving to find which ones you really like, such as chip and  relief carving, caricatures, realistic sculpture, wildfowl etc

Wood carving can be immensely enjoyable, so be patient, learn the basics, try out different types of carving and above all have fun!

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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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