Make sure the wood is clean before you start. Just be aware that it may take several coats to achieve the desired effect. After you've worked so hard to perfect your stain color, you need to seal your wood project with polyurethane. You can also try adding a tint or opaque colorant to the stain, as this can also help to darken the shade. On certain wood types, you will need to reapply polyurethane to floors after just two years. With all the work that has already been done to create just the right hue, you surely don't want to ruin it on the very last step! As part of a major home renovation project we just had our floors (original white(?) Clear finishes can be used for a wide variety of wood types. To make sure you get the desired results, it is important that you add the thinner just before staining the wood. If your piece is a super dark-looking wood, you can't really apply a lighter stain color expecting it to look that color afterward. It won't affect the structure of what's beneath it. Oil-based polyurethane will likely give the stained wood a yellow, orange, or brown tint, sometimes making it appear darker. I'm a tile guy-- I don't do hardwood-- and even I can tell you that hardwood NEEDS to be staggered. The darker tone of wax also hides imperfections on the surface. Water-based polyurethane will not affect the color of the stained wood, though the shine of the polyurethane can sometimes cause the stain to appear brighter. Wash off the cabinets and drawers and allow them to dry. Wipe Darker Areas with Thinner. Even with the above advantages, certain disadvantages of lacquer mean it is not suitable for everyone. Method 1 Cleaning the Floor 1 Wash the floor thoroughly before staining it. People are darkening their doorsteps more and more around the U.S. but is the trend a bright idea? Oil-based polyurethanes are made with mineral solvents. Additionally, whereas you can paint a hardwood floor to any color you want, whitewashing such surfaces will only turn them white. Take a look at this Minwax polyurethane finish on Amazon. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes to dry the conditioner. This is especially bad because it is only visible until after the lacquer has dried. When you are in the market for a belt sander, you have come across Makita and Dewalt as two of the most popular brands. But, don't apply more than 3 coats as the finish can get blurry. The dust and filth will settle over the stained surface, making the finish look darker. There are two types of polyurethane finishes, and though they are created to serve the same purpose, there are ways in which they are very different. That usually requires a recipe of three or four stains and can take a long time to achieve. On the other hand, Water-based polyurethanes do not affect wood stains. Wax can make timber look fresh. I love to write about tools, painting, home improvement, and DIYs. It shouldn't take very long. You should see a fine, white powder after sanding -- if not, allow it to dry longer between coats. Darkening stained wood is easy; here are the top 3 methods: This guide will show you how to use these methods, how they work, and what youll need in each case. This depends on the product you have chosen. After two hours have passed off the wood conditioning, go for the wood staining. How does polyurethane affect stain color? It comes in sixteen shades and can be purchased in a satin or gloss sheen. It might brighten it up a little when you apply the poly. Oil-based polyurethane has a thicker composition than water-based, and it's also more durable overall. It is an affordable process since it doesnt cost any wood stain or wood finish from you. The general rule of thumb is to use only as much deck stain as the wood absorbs. Blended with acrylic resins, it goes on milky but quickly dries crystal clear. Whatever the carrier of the wood stain(oil/water) it is lighter than the stain pigments. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Water-based polyurethane is clear and will not significantly affect the stain color. Polyurethane is a popular wood finish that many people use to protect and enhance the appearance of their wood furniture and floors. Water-based wood stain can easily clean with soap water. Stay well, keep well. Are battery operated fairy lights a fire hazard. Before making any decisions, make sure to wait until the stain has dried. Make sure you sand it well before staining to remove all of the putty from the surface. Test first: before applying the finish to the required wood, test it first by applying the finish to a test piece or small area of the wood. Once youve applied the polyurethane, allow it to dry completely before putting anything back on the surface. Ltd.410 Aldo AveSanta Clara, CA 95054USA. I am staining a wood rail made out of wood. Thus, its best to buy only the required amount, use it straight away and refrain from keeping shellac for a longer time in storage. Alternatives for water-based polyurethane can be shellac and clear lacquer that also will not darken the wood. In my bathroom, I used oil-based Minwax polyurethane over the stained wood (pine) countertops. Mix a few spoons of tea in hot water until it becomes thick. The current color sort of determines what color you can stain it. We represent 3 companies that do it. However, water-based poly doesn't alter the color of the stain. The dye color will fade away if wood stained with these stains is exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light for some time, but the pigment color will remain. For the lightest effect choose waterborne wood floor finishing systems. Polyurethane can be oil-based or water-based, and each type will produce a slightly different result on your pine wood. Sanding removes imperfections and creates tiny ridges on the surface for the new coating to stick. Each wood stain described here has some advantages and disadvantages. If you want to knowhow to stain the wood,here are your answers. A varnished-based wood gives some pigmented wood stain onto the wood surface. Sand the wood with fine-grit sandpaper to remove imperfections. Let dry the stain for one day. Etc. No wood species is perfect, but few come close to it as much as cedar does. Apply thin coats: always apply a thin coat of your clear finish. Water-based polyurethane is thin and less durable. Take all safety measures before you start the wood staining job. Let the stain dry. Shellac is the best option to use for finishing when you want UV protection for the wood you are applying finish on. Prepare the floor area, buff, apply your darker stain, and seal with a polyurethane sealer, varnish, or acid-cured finish. To get better results, use the same wood stain type but a darker shade. . Wait 30-60 minutes for the wax to dry, then wipe off the excess. But which one is better? And can we expect the floors to lighten much once the polyurethane is completely dry? It depends on the type of wood stain you apply on the poly. For floors, especially floors with a lot of traffic, two coats should be applied. Shellacs built-in UV protection is better than any other available clear finishes so opt for shellac when UV protection is a priority. Kona by Varathane. This will usually result in a darker color, but it adds to the process and slows production. As a wood finish shellac enhances the natural grain of the wood and gives it a smooth feel. The problem is using this stain is that you need to give a longer time to apply this wood stain. A black wood stain, a grey wood stain (including some others), can enhance the beauty of the wood stain by putting different shades and tones onto them. Then, unless you feel a rough spot on the finish, apply second and third coats of finish without any more sanding. Let the teabag soak into the hot water for one full day and full night. This would give you the color change youre looking for. Wood staining is only a layer of colour onto your wood surface. Use A Dark Gel Stain. Wiping stain is more effective than brushing it, and youre less likely to develop color issues. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The color is only slightly affected by water-based polyurethane. The clear finish is given by water-based polys also means that you should mark the floor after application as it is hard to see. The answer may surprise you! FAQs On Staining Over Polyurethane Will polyurethane darken stain? It comes in three sheens: gloss, semi-gloss, and satin. Stains don't protect wood. You can use a coloured wood stain instead of any plain wood stain. But before picking anyone from them, the question arises at first, do you want to darken the existing stain of the wood or you have to make a darker stain on the non-stained wood? if you go for an oil-based stain, the stain will get darker or turn brown tint, yellow, or orange. Start by sanding your wood furniture or floors with 120-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface and remove any old finishes. Sand your wood with at least 220-grit sandpaper. You can use a wood finish blender if you want to avoid the sanding. How much does having a Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor date my house? How To Install Vinyl Or Hardwood On Stairs With Nosewood. They dont put any dried-up marks and they dont need in a large amount to stain the wood. (From Different Surfaces). Clear finishes preserve the natural color of the wood without darkening it. However, water-based polyurethane can raise the grain of the wood, so it is important to sand the surface before applying the finish. The more modern polyurethane finish is more durable than a wax finish. A slight alteration to a wood's color can go a long way on an entire project. It is one of the popular natural DIY processes to darkening the wood stain on the wood surface. Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane is oil-based. The type of polyurethane and the wood stain should match to each other. the gel stain based on the manufacturers instructions. Its environmentally friendly. While it is completely clear, it can give the illusion of making the stain brighter just because of the shine it creates. With Minwax, you can complete your woodworking project with the perfect stain! A clear coat of lacquer wont make a surface look darker. Gel stain forms a film over the polyurethane finish, unlike standard wood stains that work by soaking into the wood pores. So if youre looking for a polyurethane that will keep your floors looking like new, water-based is the way to go. By following these tips, you can use polyurethane to protect your wood surfaces without worrying about changing the color of the wood. There are many polyurethane stain blends are available in the market, you can pick one of them. Once sanding is complete, wipe all dirt from the surface and make it clean. Apply the black tea onto the wood surface using a paintbrush. Shellac is usually found in clear or amber colors and can even be modified to change color by adding different tints. There are many different finishes that fall into this category, so, what wood finish will not darken the color of the wood? Because of this, you will most likely always need two coats, no matter the project. Now it is the turn to apply the wood stain on the previous wood stain. It is a combination of both the varnish and the stain. The best solution to achieving the butcher block color of your dreams, is to buy the butcher block in the wood color that you want it to be. Summary Comparison of Water based vs Oil Based Polyurethane: Color: water based: doesn't change color of wood, dries clear and stays clear. Polyurethane can be applied with a brush, a roller, or a cloth. 9. However, if you want to be specific, follow the below-written processes. Minwax stain may dry completely in 12 hours. Do a second sanding using a 220-grit wood sander. Moisture cure finishes are extremely strong fume producers and their odors would be gone quickly as well. After sanding the wood, wait until the tea gets cold, apply (wipe it) over the wood, and wait 3 hours. It probably isn't necessary to sand between successive coats of stain.