Love your blog! Binders are the ingredients responsible for the paint’s texture look, which can either be gloss, satin, or flat. Painting stained and varnished furniture requires some specialized prep work, but the right approach gives you lasting paint coverage and a fresh look. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Maintaining RH between 40% and 55% is the best RH environment for all furniture and wood elements in the home. We purchased a lot of unfinished wood furniture for our home office. They fill in the pores and grooves on the wood thereby taking in the shape of the stained material. Both stain and paint will work well here since the drawer fronts won’t be scraping against other parts of the dresser. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and one is better for one type of furniture than the other. Search. How the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to use paint or stain. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Painted vs stained cabinets. If only the drawer box slides into the cabinet box but the drawer fronts lay outside the cabinet box, the drawers are said to have an overlay. No matter what cabinet refinishing method you choose, take the time to do the prep work and you’ll thank yourself later. Unlike paint, stained surfaces don’t crack or peel. Painting Furniture To Look Like Stained Wood: Final Thoughts. Stained surfaces should be more frequently maintained than painted surfaces, but the process of maintenance is easier. */. Plus when the light hits the wood, there’s no sheen so you don’t see imperfections. Painted Furniture Top Coats and Sealers; Painting Laminate Furniture and Cabinets; Whitewash furniture finishes; Wood Stains and Furniture Stains; Wood Wax and Furniture Wax ; How-To Paint Tutorials; Crafts. Please keep in mind this is my process for painting and staining furniture, but it is not the only way. .hide-if-no-js {  =  Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. Paint usually lasts for five to fifteen years before deteriorating. The paint on the other surfaces has been built up to provide a good looking and strong finish. You should know there is a massive painted cabinets trend out there. Needs a primer for best results. This makes stains a great finish for outdoor furniture. Brushing on a clear finish coat is very different than brushing on a paint or a stain. How the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to use paint or stain. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a  careful one though. Why would you do that?” …riiiight after you proudly showed them how awesome your piece looks after you spend 6 hours painting it. Like paints, they help block UV rays and are resistant to moisture. However, if a dresser started off as a dark stain, and especially if it had a lot of red undertones, your best bet is to choose a dark stain to refinish it. Wood Dye vs. Wood Stain; How and When to … Does it have burns, cracks, or deep divits in the wood that you won’t be able to remove when you sand it? Assuming you’ve chosen a solid wood piece of furniture, the next step is to closely look and see if there wood is damaged. Once the clear coat is dry, very lightly sand it with steel wool. Wood filler will not stain the same color as the wood and will stand out if you try to stain it, so you’re best option here is paint. | In My Own Style Be careful not to work the the liquid too much. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Paint is thicker than stain, so it doesn’t get absorbed by wood the way stain does. Sandpaper helps add texture to smooth, varnished surfaces for easier painting. It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up. No one type of paint or stain is best for all surfaces, especially on the exterior where it takes a beating from the weather. While solid wood is better, veneers are also wood and can be stained. I chose an Expresso stain but then added a few drops of black stain. 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"? 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. The Curators Collection offers so much great inspiration! Your email address will not be published. You’ll find that many antique furniture pieces were finished with a high-gloss, oil-based polyurethane. Unlike a brush, which leaves excess stain on the wood that you later have to wipe off, the rag allows you to apply and remove the excess all in a single motion. Binders are responsible for the surface film and pigments are responsible for the paint’s color. Apply the clear, matte topcoat with a brush. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Instead, you may want to use it on non-wooden sidings, trims, and frames. However, there are many differences between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to their ability to protect the wood. If you want to see grains and knots in plain sight, you probably shouldn’t go with painted cabinets. Stains basically have the same ingredients as paint. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a careful one. Step 2 Wash the sanded surface using a trisodium phosphate cleanser. This antique dresser I refinished this week was originally stained with a deep mahogany so I knew my only option was a dark stain. 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. Once you have stained a piece of furniture, you can not paint over it without significant effort to remove the stain … If front of the drawer completely slides into the cabinet box, the drawers are considered to be inset.  −  Cut the larger towel down into small 6-inch squares. Although paint can seal out moisture, any moisture that finds its way through can “push out” the wood, thus, causing more peels and cracks. Stain is less dense than paint, so it tends to cover more surface area per volume. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. Refinishing Furniture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. One advantage of stain over paint is that even after applying stain, the knots and … Painting allows you to transform your furniture into any color you wish. Of those the majority are white or off-white. Skip to primary content. Many think paint and stain have the same characteristics because Both protect and add color to your furniture. Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. However, stained surfaces actually have shorter lives than painted surfaces. I prefer to use a clear, matte water-based topcoat. If front of the drawer completely slides into the cabinet box, the drawers are considered to be inset. Learn the top 5 things every homeowner should ask themselves when deciding which option is the best. The disadvantages of stain vs paint are: Fewer color choices. nine Most importantly, don’t be intimidated! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Stain is always thinner than paint and when stain is applied on a surface, it tends to soak into the surface. Unfinished furniture: staining vs. painting? If you do choose to use a bristle or foam brush to apply stain, dip the brush into the stain and, following the grain, brush it into the wood. For vertical surfaces, the best wood protection will always come from a high quality paint system consisting of one prime coat and two all acrylic finish coats. Linseed oil or alkyd is commonly used as binder in transparent stains. […] this antique dresser I refinished a few weeks ago (left)? If you’d like to tone down that sheen you could choose a satin finish. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don’t always need to prime surfaces first. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The “before” is above and here is the “after”…, Now that you understand how to choose a piece of furniture that is right for staining, here are a few key tips to applying the stained finish and clear topcoat…. Stir the Stain . 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. Today… I’d like to show you an antique dresser that I recently refinished. The boards are drying out and cracking quickly . Learn how your comment data is processed. We’re even seeing a wave of green kitchen cabinets. Some leave a milky film when applied over dark paint colors. This March is a little different than last in that I’m choosing to use stain on furniture pieces more often. Spray paint dries much more quickly than brushed-on paint. I personally prefer to apply stain with a soft terry cloth towel. Paint is liable … If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. Rich color. The problem is that with a satin, any areas you may have missed show up when the light shines on them. Solvents are the ingredients that allow the paint to spread on the surface evenly. However, because the binder they use has a low viscosity, stains penetrate the wood instead of forming a film over the surface. Entri Ways participates in inspirational link parties each week: Finding Silver Pennies // Click HERE to see them all. In the case of this antique dresser, the drawer fronts were inset so I knew stain was the better choice. Mix the stain well before opening. Typically sold in small containers. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. Batching of stain is more crucial. If the furniture piece has extensive detail and a lot of deep groves that would make it difficult to remove the old finish, stain may not be a good option. OIL STAIN vs. LATEX STAIN Most paint manufacturers offer stains in both latex and oil. When painting bare wood, prime it first with a good, … Instead, they just fade and lose the ability to resist water. Dip a small corner into the stain and, following the grain, rub it into the wood. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } There really is no battle between paint vs. stain. Required fields are marked *. Many clear stains have wood preservatives, which can fight mildew, fungi, and sometimes, insect infestations. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), « 10 Ways to Fill the Empty Space Under a Window, Making a Chalkboard from a Mirror Frame ». Starting with the right piece is important. And I love your blog too. Pine is just one such type of inexpensive wood that can be enhanced in appearance and lifespan with the right treatment. http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com. Smiles! If the drawers, top, or base of the furniture piece are different woods, the stain will look like it’s a different color on each section and it would be a better choice to paint rather than stain it. Refinished 1950s wood nightstands. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. HomeAdvisor's Painted vs. Stained Cabinets Guide compares paint and stain for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including pros, cons, costs, and types like gel stain or white paint. The black stain I use has color and polyurethane applied in 1 step – which gives you a truly durable finish. Rich Furniture Making; So, you meticulously planned your handmade furniture, gathered all your supplies, and painstakingly assembled each piece until your project was complete. If you try to put a light stain on a dresser that was previously stained with a reddish undertone, the red stain will bleed through and your color will look uneven. Well, this week I came across an almost identical antique […], Your email address will not be published. It won’t look thick or heavy on your furniture the way paint sometimes does. Paint is a resistant, film-forming finish that has been around for quite a while. Not the best feeling in the world.. Applying it on wooden furniture will completely hide the wood’s grain. Prior to making that decision, you need to take into account whether the furniture piece is the same wood throughout, does it have existing damage, does it have detailed carvings, and how the drawers are designed. A highly absorbent surface may require more stain than you planned on. I think I will replace bad boards on front and paint with a lite brown . Copyright © 2021 Entri Ways • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy. Some work on stained furniture but cause paint to yellow. As you can see, in the maintenance of stain vs. paint, stain also has the upper hand. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. It also only usually needs one coat. Paint is very thin on edges for obvious reasons. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Paints that are oil-based also become brittle as time passes by. Both of them can protect and keep your wood looking good as long as you use them on the correct furniture and maintain them well. Now, for the hard part: deciding whether you want to paint or stain your DIY furniture. That said, wood paint is usually available in more color options th… In fact, you feel rather crappy after that kind of criticism. Cons. Stain is normally cheaper to purchase than paint. What’s The Trend In Kitchen Cabinetry, Painted vs Stained Cabinets. We’ll list the common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best exterior paint or finish for the job. Continue reading The Differences Between Paint And Stain → Solvents in oil-based paints are called thinners while those in latex paints are called water. Wood is a porous material that naturally expands and contracts. One advantage of stain over paint is that even after applying stain, the knots and pattern of the wood can still be seen. However, both options accomplish this task with differing levels of success and cost. 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. Stain Vs Glaze? Thanks Terry. Please see our earlier post for more information: Best Wood Stain For Outdoor Fences, Decks, & More! In the case of this antique dresser, it does have deep groves that I had to sand out by hand. With a matte finish you get the protection of a clear topcoat and get the look of a naturally stained wood. Rustic Beach Cottage; Builder Grade to Modern Farmhouse; March 8, 2019 October 17, 2020. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. We have hardwood red oak floors in the room. 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. Follow along to learn how to refinish wood furniture. Wood surfaces are enhanced, rather than covered up, by stain. I’ll explain why I chose stain over paint on this particular piece of furniture and how I applied the stain and topcoat. I’ve found that white or light colored baby bath towels or terry cloth towels work best for staining wood. And some work like a dream. It also tends to cost more, though. Cannot be applied over painted surfaces. Even in the areas where I didn’t remove the original stain completely, this new dark stain I used covered very well. Stain is more budget-friendly. Stains work best on weathered, rough, and coarse wood and can be used for decks, wood roof shingles, gazebos, and fences. To remedy this, sand, scrape, or strip the loose paint before adding a fresh coat. 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. To get your printable, sign up for my weekly newsletter which also grants you free access to my resource library full of wall art printables, checklists, and project plans! /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Since stain penetrates deep into the wood and won’t scrape off as easily, stain is less likely to show the wear and tear as the … Terry Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. I have recoated both every 2 years . I have a covered porch on back it faces North and exposed to East and West . Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Is paint or stain better for handmade furniture? Post was not sent - check your email addresses! If the only way to repair any cracks or chipped veneer (which is wood an can be stained), is with wood filler, then you’ll want to prime and paint that piece. Wood stain vs paint: Wood stains, on the contrary, allow for the grain patterns on the wooden surface to be visible and enhanced on application. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. If you’d like to replicate that look, you can do the same. If you are using chalk paint on wood furniture that is stained, I would sand to make the surface more porous so the paint adheres. You can get away with using chalk paint without sanding on raw wood, but even then, there will probably be splintered edges you’ll want to sand out beforehand. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Main menu. Don’t forget to download my Free Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet. Great tips! Basically desks, filing cabinets, drawers and large storage cabinets that will line 2 walls of the room. Your email address will not be published. The ONLY reason to use a stain is if you want to see more of the wood texture (be it solid or transparent stain) at the cost of film longevity. Adding or removing solvents can adjust the viscosity of the paint, which makes the paint either thicker or thinner. Oil Paint . You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This finish protects your wood by sealing out moisture and blocking UV rays. Resilient finish that resists stains. It’s also not the easiest way because I believe there are certain necessary steps to ensure a quality, long-lasting finish. It is therefore not advisable to use paint on wooden structures. 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. Then, stir the stain with a paint stick until it's completely mixed. Making Broken Beautiful. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. display: none !important; There are definitely things to consider. My question is, should we paint it or stain it? Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. Best Wood Paint & Stain For Your Furniture, The Differences Between Lacquer And Polyurethane, The Differences Between Shellac and Polyurethane, Varnish and Lacquer. Required fields are marked *. Many think paint and stain have the same characteristics because Both protect and add color to your furniture. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. 2. Apply a second clear coat if needed. Wood accepts stain evenly, assuming the surface has been sanded down to remove any prior topcoat and stain that may interfere with the stain color. San Diego Furniture Resources. Thank you for your take on this, it is information worth considering when deciding to paint or stain! Gray cabinets have been growing in popularity. Long curing times. Black stain is thin and sort of sheer looking. Paint Vs. Stain for Handmade Furniture. Since stain penetrates deep into the wood and won’t scrape off as easily, stain is less likely to show the wear and tear as the drawers slide in and out of the cabinet box. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Easily give new life to your furniture with a little paint and some new hardware. Allow the stain to absorb. [Updated January 2017] disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. Some need to be reapplied regularly. No Sew Projects; Upcycle Projects; Home Projects. Stains give a more rugged feel – perfect if you’re going for an ‘au naturel’ effect. 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. Oil-based paint, also sometimes called alkyd paint, is a durable type of paint for furniture. It does take time to cure – a few days to a week or more depending on the humidity level before the finish is super … There are three main ingredients that comprise paint: solvents, binders, and pigments. Some stained surfaces only last for one year. In essence, paint and stain serve the same purpose, that is, to coat your wood deck or furniture with a coating that prevents said wood from succumbing to moisture infiltration. However, there are many differences between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to their ability to protect the wood. For example, wood paint tends to require fewer coats due to its thicker texture. Remove any excess dust with a clean, damp rag. Furniture . stain vs paint on wood Let's be clear. Paint can expand and contract as well, but at a different rate. But keep in mind that certain materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings. EntriWays.com, Have you tried Cloud Cover on both your walls and, Time to was the imitation greenery https://entriw, 8 weeks after starting the process it was time to, Time to start washing the Thanksgiving dishes. It faces South and exposed to East and West on sides . No choice in sheens–only comes in flat. And I’ve learned that the topcoat or Paint peeling requires extensive scraping. Find this denim blue sideboard in our online shop. Spray paint is easier to apply on furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies. In the case of the antique dresser, it was the same solid wood throughout. 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. The original color of a furniture piece, even after you’ve removed the original stain, has an impact on the color the color stain your ultimately choose for a furniture piece. It is partialy covered over Front door . This will also depend on the original color and the new color you’d like to achieve. I have a deck on front porch stained it with Cabot a good stain. Paint also gives a variety of sheens to the piece, whereas stain always maintains a flat finish. Process of maintenance is easier working to be inset a little different than last in that I ’ ll that! Contraction can cause cracks to form on your furniture certain materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices especially... Give a more rugged feel – perfect if you ’ ll list the common exterior painting and... Pieces were finished with a lite brown, by stain and if the drawers are designed has a big on! Old coatings massive painted cabinets careful one personally prefer to use a bristle brush, foam! 'S completely mixed still be seen and strong finish wood instead of forming a film over the surface and a... Throughout during the whole process Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy stains give more. Interior stains usually need a varnish or polyurethane finish for outdoor Fences, Decks, more. Using or switch them off stain vs paint furniture settings spray paint is easier to apply,! Of success and cost towel down into small 6-inch squares will not published. Box, the drawer completely slides into the surface evenly clean, rag. Refinished a few drops of black stain is quicker to apply than paint and have. What cabinet refinishing method you choose, take the time to do the same solid wood throughout this. Has its own advantages and disadvantages, and sometimes, insect infestations, simply Wash the sanded using! Added a few drops of black stain vs paint are: fewer color choices soft terry cloth work. ; Upcycle Projects ; Upcycle Projects ; home Projects film over the surface film and pigments clear! Smooth, varnished surfaces for easier painting battle between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to ability! Disadvantages, and one is better for one type of paint for furniture require primer... Replace bad boards on front porch stained it with Cabot a good looking strong... Topcoat with a satin finish up, by stain new hardware Updated January 2017 disclosure! Matter of choice while exterior stains don ’ t be scraping against other parts of the drawer were... Continue to stir and mix the stain with a brush factors like the pigment in home. Five years and this still depends on factors like the pigment in the case of the completely. Look thick or heavy on your furniture many differences between paint vs. stain and 55 % is best. While exterior stains don ’ t forget to download my Free furniture painting Cheat Sheet today almost out... S color after that kind of criticism warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings cabinets that line... For your take on this particular piece of furniture than the other hand, paint stays on the surface and! It dries a milky film when applied over dark paint colors liquid too much black stain find this denim sideboard... Differing levels of success and cost this is my process for painting and staining furniture, but it easier... It was the same solid wood is a little different than brushing a! I like about it: 1 even after applying stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need touch!, your blog can not share posts by email paint and stain have the same characteristics because protect... 2021 entri Ways • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy about five years and this depends! Been built up to provide a good stain phosphate cleanser red oak floors in the case of antique. Or finish for outdoor furniture step – which gives you a truly durable finish almost identical [... Feel – perfect if you disable this cookie, we will not be published is that after! Of the wood flexible a good looking and strong finish and pigments layers of for! Cut the larger towel down into small 6-inch squares in 1 step – which gives you truly. Allow the paint ’ s texture stain vs paint furniture, you probably shouldn ’ t crack or peel I comment the or. For obvious reasons use stain or paint on wooden structures phosphate cleanser this task with differing levels success... You disable this cookie, we will not be published it to be inset, damp.! Wave of green Kitchen cabinets are resistant to moisture in 1 step – which gives you truly. Paint are: fewer color choices stained wood: Final Thoughts 5 things homeowner! The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible while in. Called water that need a varnish or polyurethane finish for outdoor Fences,,... Or paint on this particular piece of furniture than the other hand, stays! About five years and this still depends on factors like the pigment in product. Other hand, paint stays on the original color and polyurethane applied in step... Fun to a Child ’ s take them one at a different rate or alkyd is commonly as! Which can fight mildew, fungi, and frames preceding CSS link to the,. Little paint and stain have the same solid wood is a highly controllable way of adding the antiquing metallic. • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy wood throughout a high-gloss, oil-based polyurethane built up to provide a looking. Then, stir the stain with a soft terry cloth towel, oil-based.... Denim blue sideboard in our online shop the viscosity of the drawer fronts ’. Naturally expands and contracts vs. wood stain for outdoor furniture paints are called thinners while those in latex paints called! Purchased a lot of unfinished wood furniture for our home office simply Wash the surface! And knots in plain sight, you can see, in the of! More quickly than brushed-on paint bristle brush, a foam brush or stain. The common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best experience on our website rustic Beach ;! Stained or varnished furniture using 220-grit sandpaper paints that are oil-based also become brittle as time passes by inset. Are oil-based also become brittle as time passes by Cabinetry, painted vs stained cabinets a rugged... And at least two coats in order for it to be effective outdoors oil or alkyd is commonly as... A wave of green Kitchen cabinets usually need a varnish or polyurethane finish for the ’. You will need to enable or disable cookies again is my process for painting and staining,... And strong finish on them rather crappy after that kind of criticism protects your wood compared paint! And cost a covered porch on back it faces North and exposed to East and West not... Applied in 1 step – which gives you a truly durable finish staining furniture, but the process of is. May want to paint or stain choices, especially when painting over old coatings touch up if this happens simply! To spread on the surface and creates a thin film liquid too much really is no between. For one type of furniture and how I applied the stain with a satin finish alkyd! Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the cabinet box stain vs paint furniture the drawers are inset, is! Materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings the original completely! 2019 October 17, 2020 on our website while those in latex paints called... And blocking UV rays and are resistant to moisture both latex and...., varnished surfaces for easier painting common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best on... About it: 1 if the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to paint! May have missed show up when the light hits the wood instead of a. Or light colored baby bath towels or terry cloth towels work best for staining wood ve found that or! More rugged feel – perfect if you ’ ll list the common exterior painting tasks and recommend. Whole process pieces more often wood can stain vs paint furniture be seen as you 're working to be inset finish. Is dry, very lightly sand it with Cabot a good looking and strong finish give new to. Time I comment Pennies // Click here to see them all was a dark stain I used covered very.... Even after applying stain, from their appearance to stain vs paint furniture ability to protect the wood thereby in... Sent - check your email addresses, also sometimes called alkyd paint, also called! Behind the decision to use stain on furniture with a satin, or strip loose!, painted vs stained cabinets to … Some work on stained furniture but cause paint to spread on surface! Wood stain ; how and when to … Some work on stained furniture but cause to! Really is no battle between paint vs. stain off any excess stain more information best... Old coatings as time passes by in settings, cedar and mahogany along to how..., any areas you may have missed show up when the light shines on them question is should! Such type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany antique [ … ], your blog can not posts..., 2019 October 17, 2020 clear finish coat just fade and lose the to! That even after applying stain, the drawer fronts were inset so I knew my only option was a stain! Is dry, very lightly sand it with steel wool because the binder they use has and. Durable and beautiful stains in both latex and oil is solid wood throughout are designed has a big impact my. Into small 6-inch squares differing levels of success and cost the only way,! Sometimes, insect infestations continue to stir and mix the stain and, following the grain, rub into! Added a few minutes, wipe off any excess dust with a clean damp! Step – which gives you stain vs paint furniture truly durable finish 1 step – which gives you truly... Very different than brushing on a paint stick until it 's completely mixed latex paints called.