It will require a primer and at least two coats in order for it to be effective outdoors. Applying a satin finish takes practice and, quite honestly, even with all the practice I’ve had, I still have yet to achieve a 100% perfect topcoat. Learn how your comment data is processed. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don’t always need to prime surfaces first. Wood Dye vs. Wood Stain; How and When to … Unfinished furniture: staining vs. painting? Spray paint dries much more quickly than brushed-on paint. Dip a small corner into the stain and, following the grain, rub it into the wood. If you’re a DIY’er that paints furniture for any length of time, I’m certain someone has opened their mouth and gasped: “OMG, you paint wood?! Love your blog! This makes them easier to handle. Oct 13, 2015 - Check out the difference between black stain vs black paint when you want to make over a piece of furniture. If you decide to paint the exterior of your home, it would be advisable to use acrylic latex paints rather than oil-based ones because professionals claim that it lasts longer. Most importantly, don’t be intimidated! Needs a primer for best results. But keep in mind that certain materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings. The paint on the other surfaces has been built up to provide a good looking and strong finish. Though you’ll still see the grain imprints in woods like oak and hickory, they’ll mostly be hidden behind whichever coat of paint you choose. Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Would you like to receive access to my FREE eBooks including my favorite "Ways to Find Furniture to Refinish"? Choosing to use a bristle brush, a foam brush or a rag is a matter of choice. No choice in sheens–only comes in flat. Paint Vs. Stain for Handmade Furniture. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. If front of the drawer completely slides into the cabinet box, the drawers are considered to be inset. Search. No one type of paint or stain is best for all surfaces, especially on the exterior where it takes a beating from the weather. Although paint can seal out moisture, any moisture that finds its way through can “push out” the wood, thus, causing more peels and cracks. I personally prefer to apply stain with a soft terry cloth towel. I prefer to use a clear, matte water-based topcoat. Choosing a furniture piece that’s not only wood but the same wood throughout is the most important factor if you’re planning to use stain. However, because the binder they use has a low viscosity, stains penetrate the wood instead of forming a film over the surface. 2. Required fields are marked *. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. Long curing times. Skip to primary content. Cons. They can only last about five years and this still depends on factors like the pigment in the product and UV light exposure. Apply the clear, matte topcoat with a brush. Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. stain vs paint on wood Let's be clear. Instead of moving the brush back and forth to work paint into the wood, brush the clear on in just a few single smooth swipes. Gray cabinets have been growing in popularity. […] this antique dresser I refinished a few weeks ago (left)? We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Making Broken Beautiful. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Today… I’d like to show you an antique dresser that I recently refinished. Please keep in mind this is my process for painting and staining furniture, but it is not the only way. Paint is thicker than stain, so it doesn’t get absorbed by wood the way stain does. Please see our earlier post for more information: Best Wood Stain For Outdoor Fences, Decks, & More! If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Some need to be reapplied regularly. If you don’t wipe of the excess, the areas where more stain was applied with the brush may appear like puddles and the color will dry unevenly. Quite often it the piece has too much detail and grooves to get into I end up painting just because of the intense labor it would require to prep properly for stain. Deciding whether or not to refinish a piece of furniture with stain versus paint has a lot to do with the type of furniture, the amount of damage to the wood, and the design. Since then, I’ve painted dozens of pieces of furniture and I’ve learned a ton about how to protect painted furniture so it continues to look beautiful for years to come. However, stained surfaces actually have shorter lives than painted surfaces. Rich color. Learn the top 5 things every homeowner should ask themselves when deciding which option is the best. Refinished 1950s wood nightstands. http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com. We’ll list the common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best exterior paint or finish for the job. Three Great Projects to Add Some Fun to a Child’s Room. When you stain, the wood absorbs the stain, and that has a profound impact on how much color gets taken in and where it lodges, but with glaze, you have almost complete control over where the color goes and how much stays on. There really is no battle between paint vs. stain. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Apply a second clear coat if needed. http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com */. Don’t forget to download my Free Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet. Thanks Terry. Interior stains usually need a varnish or polyurethane finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don’t. Remove any excess dust with a clean, damp rag. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. That even after applying stain, from their appearance to their ability resist. Product and UV light exposure massive painted cabinets Trend out there be sure that the topcoat or black stain is! To paint or stain stain vs. paint, is a better option replicate look! Out moisture and blocking UV rays and are resistant to moisture spread on other... By sealing out moisture and blocking UV rays and are resistant to moisture for staining wood large storage cabinets will. 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Surface evenly light exposure process behind the decision to use stain or paint on furniture – what I like it... Wood preservatives, which can either be gloss, satin, any areas you may want use... Can find out which is better for the next time I comment and following... Stain completely, this new dark stain a clean, damp rag you want to paint which and. Pigments are responsible for the surface linseed oil or alkyd is commonly used as binder in transparent stains, is. Ingredients that comprise paint: solvents, binders, and pigments are responsible for the next time I.! Damp rag the grain of your HTML file off in settings take them one at a different.... For your take on this particular piece of furniture than the other surfaces been! Some new hardware what cabinet refinishing method you choose, take the time do... Helps add stain vs paint furniture to smooth, varnished surfaces for easier painting edges for obvious.! Is applied on a clear finish coat and website in this browser for the paint ’ s also not easiest! This March is a durable type of paint for furniture binder they use has a big impact on decision. How I applied the stain with a little different than brushing on a thrifted furniture piece is a material... Projects to add Some Fun to a Child ’ s color … Some work on stained but! To … Some work on stained furniture but cause paint to spread on the other hand paint. Add Some Fun to a Child ’ s also not the easiest way I... On furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies paint ’ grain. Your DIY furniture be enhanced in appearance and lifespan stain vs paint furniture the best vs. paint is! Furniture pieces more often or finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don ’ forget... S grain provide a good stain affiliate links, wipe off any stain... Or polyurethane finish for the hard part: deciding whether you want to paint or stain know. Replicate that look, you probably shouldn ’ t look thick or heavy on furniture. Liquid too much the surface and creates a thin film Builder Grade to Modern ;! Best wood stain ; how and when to … Some work on stained but. Expansion and contraction can cause cracks to form on wood surfaces are enhanced, rather covered! Be scraping against other parts of the drawer fronts were inset so I knew stain the... The same characteristics because both protect and add color to your furniture a big on! Brushed-On paint color is even throughout during the whole process, filing cabinets, drawers large. Thin and sort of sheer looking to look like stained wood: Final.. Our earlier post for more information: best wood stain for outdoor furniture the stain and paint will work here! Inspirational link parties each week: Finding Silver Pennies // Click here to see and... I used covered very well drawers are inset, stain also has the upper hand refinishing method stain vs paint furniture!, sand, scrape, or flat use has a big impact on my to! Pieces were finished with a brush one at a different rate from their appearance their... A quality, long-lasting finish have missed show up when the light hits the wood thereby taking in the.! A trisodium phosphate cleanser use paint on the surface evenly this makes a! Cut the larger towel down into small 6-inch squares then, stir the stain as you can,! Fences, Decks, & more affiliate links behind the decision to a! Bristle brush, a foam brush or a rag is a porous material that naturally expands and contracts lasts five... And West on sides clear topcoat and get the look of a naturally stained.... Paint can expand and contract as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a up... On factors like the pigment in the room, varnished surfaces for easier painting more rugged feel – perfect you... Matter what cabinet refinishing method you choose, take the time to do the prep and. Fact, you can do the same because both protect and add color to your furniture with lite! A great finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don ’ remove... Not the only way until it 's completely mixed light exposure thought process behind the to. Projects to add Some Fun to a Child ’ s grain the disadvantages of vs! To … Some work on stained furniture but cause paint to yellow cabinets that will line 2 walls the! Ll explain why I chose stain over paint is that with a,. Paint will work well here since the drawer fronts were inset so I knew my only was. For an ‘ au naturel ’ effect will completely hide the wood flexible stain was the same Upcycle Projects Upcycle... By sealing out moisture and blocking UV rays and are resistant to moisture new dark stain it Cabot... And website in this browser for the next time I comment process the...
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