Wood Stain Vs Paint On A Door
There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding between wood stain vs paint for your door. The first is the overall look youre going for. If you want a more natural look, then wood stain is the way to go. Paint can give your door a more finished look, but it will also cover up any of the natural grain of the wood.
Another thing to consider is how much maintenance youre willing to do. Paint will need to be touched up every few years, while stain can last for several years before it needs to be reapplied. Stain is also easier to apply than paint, so if youre not the most handy person, that might be something to keep in mind.
So, whats the verdict? It really depends on your personal preference and what youre looking for in a door. If you want something thats low-maintenance and has a more natural look, then wood stain is the way to go. But if youre willing to do a little bit of work every few years, and you want a door with a more finished look, then paint is the better option.
Whats The Difference Between Stain Grade And Paint
The difference between stain grade and paint grade is that stain grade is designed to be stained and paint grade is designed to be painted. Stain grade wood has a smooth surface that is free of knots and blemishes, while paint grade wood may have knots and blemishes that will show through after painting.
Before You Get Started: Pick Your Stain Color
This paint/stain process has 9 different options to choose from and they all look stunning. There are lighter and darker colors to give you a full-color range to make finding the perfect color easy. You can see examples of some of these shades on furniture at the bottom of this post.
The process for each stain color is the same, just slightly different paint colors are used for each stain. After you have picked your stain color, see the information below on what sample containers of latex paint to buy.
The stains above can all be made darker by adding more stain paint. So if you are looking for a darker version of one of the stains above, its easy to get that look!
Now that you know what shade you are going to paint on your furniture piece, you can find out what sample colors you will need below.
For each of the colors listed, you will need to get a half-pint sample size of paint that looks like this in the Sherwin Williams paint at Lowes. You can use any latex paint as long as it is color-matched to those colors but the glaze is only sold at Lowes.
If you are new to getting paint at the paint counter, no worries! Just go into your nearest Lowes and tell them you want a Sherwin Williams Sample container in . The samples always come in a satin sheen so they probably wont ask you what sheen. I usually tell them Ill be back and loiter around the store for a few minutes until my paint is done.
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My Favorite Product To Prevent Bleed Through
My first choice is shellac primer in a spray can. I love how easy and quick it is, and I love that it dries clear.
BUT, if I cant paint outside, then I would use the General Finishes Stain Blocker.
And if Im not using a mineral or chalk based paint, I would recommend not using clear shellac just because it doesnt always help every paint stick to all surfaces. It has worked 99% of the time for me though!
Wood Stain Vs Paint The Ultimate Beginners Guide
When it comes to choosing the right material for your project, you have a lot of options. One of the most common decisions is whether to use wood stain or paint. Both products have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
In this blog post, we will compare wood stain vs. paint and help you decide which option is best for your needs!
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Final Thoughts On Cleaning Sanded Wood
There you have it!
When cleaning wood after sanding, removing as much dust as possible using a compressor, vacuum, or brush before wiping with a damp cloth, denatured alcohol, mineral spirit, or trisodium phosphate is better.
Cleaning your wood thoroughly after sanding and before painting or staining will give you the best results from the stain or bring out the paints color if you are going that route.
Using any of these methods would give you optimum results and truly turn your work into a spectacular success!
Catch you in my next post!
Traditional Oil Stain On Previously Stained Or Painted Wood
There are two conventional methods for staining a finished piece of furniture, whether it has an existing stain or is painted.
One option is to completely sand off the entire finish of the old surface so that you get down to the bare wood. This is extremely time-consuming, laborious and messy as you have to sand off ALL of the old finish so that the new stain can penetrate.
You can also use a furniture stripper to remove the old stain or paint. Unfortunately, that involves slathering on lots of caustic, strong-smelling chemicals over your piece, then letting it sit a while before wiping or scraping off the old finish. Needless to say, its messy!
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Shade Option : Dark Walnut Faux Stain
This color stain is the deepest of all the darker browns and is perfect if you are wanting a more espresso finish that is comparable to darker stains. You can see below that I refinished my breakfast table and the coffee table in my living room with this darker color.
BASE COAT: Sherwin Williams Latte
LAYER 1: Sherwin Williams Van Dyke Brown
LAYER 2: Sherwin Williams Black Bean This goes on really dark and looks almost like a black stain but it will dry to the paints actual color a deep brown. Also, on one project, this almost had a purple hue after I put it on but once it dried, it looked great!
Mix the paint, glaze and water in the ratio listed in step 4.
Apply Stain To The Paint
Stain quickly separates be sure to thoroughly mix the stain before using. Gel stains are more viscous than conventional stains, making it easier to control the product on the surface while minimizing drips. A little stain goes a long way, especially applied on these less absorbent painted surfaces.
Dip just the tip of the brush bristles in the stain. Transfer the brush to the painted surface, starting at one edge, and brush gently. If the desired effect is a dark stain, aim for multiple thin layers of the stain rather than one single thick layer.
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Staining Over Paint The Technical Way
This is how you should stain over wood. If you had a wood shop teacher at any point in your life, this is how they would tell you to get this project done.
Your first step is to sand, scrape, or use chemicals to remove the paint from the wood. This will leave the surface of the wood exposed for the stain. The stain can then properly soak into the wood to reveal the best of the underlying grain.
Keep in mind that the wood has still aged beneath the paint and the final appearance will be shaped by the type of paint and a wide range of other factors.
What if you wanted both?
Is It Easier To Paint Or Stain Wood
It is generally easier to stain wood than to paint it. Paint can be difficult to apply evenly, while stain is much simpler to apply. Also paint often requires multiple coats in order to achieve the desired color, while stain only needs one or two coats. In short, painting wood can be time consuming and difficult, while staining it is generally much easier.
However, you require precise sanding and then wiping the debris off the wood to get the process of staining started. This process is the same during painting. When finished the paint doesnt look natural, gets cracked and peeled, which is not the case with the stain.
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Why Cant I Just Paint Over The Existing Wood Stain
The main reason that you cant simply paint straight over wood stain or dye is that essentially most wood stains tend to be a coloured or tinted varnish and the majority of wood dyes, once applied to an object, are then coated with varnish or lacquer to protect them.
The main issue comes with this protective varnish coating varnish by its nature creates a tough, glossy and waterproof layer to protect the surface beneath it from any and all external elements.
For paint and many other top coat finishes to stay stuck to the surface their applied to, they need to be able to fully bond to that surface.
The presence of the varnish prevents this from happening meaning that the paint simply sits on top. Without the necessary bond it will soon flake or chip off, or at best, look uneven and streaky.
Not preparing stained surfaces correctly can lead to a poor, streaky painted finish and eventually peeling
So, armed with this information, you should now hopefully see why just slapping paint over wood stain or dye is not the way to go if you are looking for a good, long lasting finish.
What Is The Best Paint For Painting Over Stained Wood
The type of paint you choose to use really depends on the job at hand. If you are painting an outdoor wood surface, then we recommend oil-based paint. Indoor surfaces can be painted with latex paint. The type of finish you want will also determine whether you buy chalk paint or one with a matte or glossy finish.
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Painting Over Stain Without Sanding Or Stripping
Below are 7 paint projects Ive completed over the past couple of years, where I painted over stain WITHOUT sanding!
My hope is you will see how confident I am in not sanding before painting, so you feel that you can do this on your own.
Something that is important to notein all of these projects the surfaces were in almost perfect condition before I paint.
If you have an unsound surface that is chipping and peeling, then you will have to sand it smooth first BUT not sand off the finish completely.
Painting Vs Staining: The Difference
Solid stains and paint are similar, so its not easy to distinguish them from the naked eye. They leave a layer on the woods surface where they are applied and do not permeate the wood. Both come in any color and offer the most comprehensive and durable protection for house siding.
Paint and stain have one thing in common: they use the same ingredients to coat a surface in a protective layer of color. Yet, there are some inherent differences, and the most significant one is that paint adheres to the surface of the item being painted, whereas stain is absorbed into it.
Staining has several benefits, but its ability to withstand the effects of changing weather and expand and contract with the wood is its most significant benefit. Unlike paint, stain allows for more natural airflow through the wood.
When painting, on the other hand, a thicker coat of paint dries more quickly and creates an enormous barrier. Paint requires fewer coats because it is thicker than stain. You may need to apply much more stain if the surface is absorbent.
- Stain is typically less expensive than paint.
- It is easy to apply stain and recoat surfaces that require touch-ups.
- Because stain does not necessarily require priming, it is faster to apply than paint. It also only usually requires one coat.
- The stain enhances wood surfaces rather than masking them. It gives off a more rugged feel.
- Stain is more resistant to chipping, while the paint is more likely to peel, split, or flake.
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What Safety/protection Is Needed
Although this last tip is not at all exciting , it does need to be said. Protective eye-wear, gloves, old clothes and a well ventilated area is recommended when working with any type of stain. Stain is heavy duty enough to permanently stain wood so it WILL stain everything else in its path. Always work safe my friends!
Before I sign off today, I just want to thank everyone for the warm response I received on Facebook last week. I forgot to do that on Fridays post Ive been so distracted! You were all so generous in sharing your personal stories and support on care-giving for an elderly parent. Thank you! Your support and understanding mean more than you know! x
Feel free to share some of your tips and ideas on staining wood furniture . leave a comment below. Or if you have any questions ask away!
Catch last weeks Q-T-T here and if YOU have any tips youd like featured on the SI Quick-Tip-Tuesday-Series, feel free to send me an email!
Have a great day and happy staining!
Denise x
What Youll Need To Paint Over Wood Stain
- 150 Grit sandpaper: Sandpaper is an essential part of the process. Its used to prep the wood before painting. Using a sponge or sandpaper brick makes the sanding easier on your hands. If you want to finish faster, consider investing in a sheet sander.
- Tarps: Youll need to buy at least one tarp to help keep your work area clean.
- Primer: A high-quality paint primer helps seal the wood to prevent paint from soaking into it. Primer also covers unwanted blemishes and reduces the number of coats youll need to apply.
- Paintbrushes: Make sure to get multiple foam paintbrushes and foam rollers. Youll need fresh ones for both the priming step and the painting step.
- Tack cloth: This specialized type of cloth is extremely affordable and is made specifically for woodworking. Youll need a set to clean up excess paint and dust off the wood.
- Polycrylic Protective Finish: The right finish makes all the difference. Choose a well-known brand that dries fast and will last a long time.
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Is There A Paint That Looks Like Wood
If you have ever searched online for a stain paint for wood, you probably had a hard time finding what you were looking for. Thats because no one solid paint can mimic the look of wood grain. If you look at a piece of wood, there are actually several shades of brown among grain lines that move in one direction to create the natural beauty of the woodgrain.
Thats why this process is the closest thing to a stain paint for wood because it consists of a base coat and one or two thin glaze coats to give you the look of a natural grain. The base coat is usually a light tan and the glaze mixtures are darker browns. This effect mimics the grain of the wood because the initial base coat color can be seen through the glaze layers and the strokes in one direction give the appearance of wood fibers.
Paint Vs Stain: The Decision Is Yours
We hope this blog post has informed you of the pros and cons of both painting and staining. When it comes to paint vs. stain, whichever option you choose, the reality is that both are excellent and aesthetic options for exterior woods.
For the best quality paints and stains in the US, choose Carolina Blue Painting. We use only the best high-quality materials that will ensure your wood exterior looks great. Get in touch with us today.
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Should You Stain Over Paint
Lets cover one of the most asked questions about this topic first: Is it dangerous?
Some people out there in the DIY world are rightly concerned about the potential hazards of staining over paint. Were here to ease your worries.
There are no hazards outside of the standard issues that come with any staining and woodworking project. Paints and stains shouldnt have any complicated interactions with each other. Just cool and rustic style interactions, but well get into that in just a second!
If youre dealing with old furniture or unknown paints, we recommend that you test a small patch before going into the whole project. Pick a spot on the underside or back of the piece and apply a small amount of stain over the paint. Leave it to fully dry based on the manufacturers recommendations. If it looks good, then youre good to go!
The only major concern to have when staining over paint is a style concern.
Wood Stain Vs Paint For Fence
When it comes to wood stain vs paint for fences, the stain is often preferred. The stain doesnt peel, blister, or crack like paint. Also, it can be a great choice to give the fence a natural color. However, if you want to entirely transform the fence into a different color, paint can be a great choice.
Still, the stain is better in terms of application ease, cost, and offering a natural look. Since the fence has to be outside, you should consider durability and protection factors too. In that case, the paint lasts longer and offers comparatively more protection against UV radiation.
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