And some work like a dream. Painting Furniture To Look Like Stained Wood: Final Thoughts. Refinished 1950s wood nightstands. Stained surfaces should be more frequently maintained than painted surfaces, but the process of maintenance is easier. Black stain vs black paint on furniture – what I like about it: 1. Does it have burns, cracks, or deep divits in the wood that you won’t be able to remove when you sand it? Don’t forget to download my Free Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet. 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. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. You should know there is a massive painted cabinets trend out there. Solvents in oil-based paints are called thinners while those in latex paints are called water. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping. Most importantly, don’t be intimidated! I think I will replace bad boards on front and paint with a lite brown . Stain Vs Glaze? 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. Be careful not to work the the liquid too much. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and one is better for one type of furniture than the other. 2. Paint is easy to change. 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. Basically desks, filing cabinets, drawers and large storage cabinets that will line 2 walls of the room. Paint usually lasts for five to fifteen years before deteriorating. 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. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a  careful one though. | In My Own Style Many think paint and stain have the same characteristics because Both protect and add color to your furniture. Both stain and paint will work well here since the drawer fronts won’t be scraping against other parts of the dresser. Instead, you may want to use it on non-wooden sidings, trims, and frames. Thanks Terry. Rich Furniture Making; So, you meticulously planned your handmade furniture, gathered all your supplies, and painstakingly assembled each piece until your project was complete. 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. 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. However, both options accomplish this task with differing levels of success and cost. Follow along to learn how to refinish wood furniture. The thought process behind the decision to use stain or paint on a thrifted furniture piece is a careful one.  −  It also tends to cost more, though. Great tips! Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. Oct 13, 2015 - Check out the difference between black stain vs black paint when you want to make over a piece of 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 … With a matte finish you get the protection of a clear topcoat and get the look of a naturally stained wood. Unfinished furniture: staining vs. painting? We purchased a lot of unfinished wood furniture for our home office. Stain is always thinner than paint and when stain is applied on a surface, it tends to soak into the surface. Damaged edges and chipping is another concern. One advantage of stain over paint is that even after applying stain, the knots and … Stir the Stain . 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. They fill in the pores and grooves on the wood thereby taking in the shape of the stained material. Pine is just one such type of inexpensive wood that can be enhanced in appearance and lifespan with the right treatment. Stain is more budget-friendly. Wood is a porous material that naturally expands and contracts. Painting allows you to transform your furniture into any color you wish. No choice in sheens–only comes in flat. Skip to primary content. 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. However, there are many differences between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to their ability to protect the wood. Some need to be reapplied regularly. 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. A highly absorbent surface may require more stain than you planned on. This makes stains a great finish for outdoor furniture. I’ll explain why I chose stain over paint on this particular piece of furniture and how I applied the stain and topcoat. No problem on back porch. No one type of paint or stain is best for all surfaces, especially on the exterior where it takes a beating from the weather. If a dresser started off with a very light, natural stain, then most any color stain, from light to dark, will work well. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. Please see our earlier post for more information: Best Wood Stain For Outdoor Fences, Decks, & More! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Binders are responsible for the surface film and pigments are responsible for the paint’s color. Paint can expand and contract as well, but at a different rate. When painting bare wood, prime it first with a good, … Paints that are oil-based also become brittle as time passes by. I have a covered porch on back it faces North and exposed to East and West . Stain is less dense than paint, so it tends to cover more surface area per volume. While I didn’t remove 100% of the old finish in some of those deep groves, I chose a stain color that was dark enough to blend the old color with the new. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Copyright © 2021 Entri Ways • Beloved Theme — Privacy Policy. Oil Paint . Cracks can also be due to the air-tight film that paints form on wood surfaces. Your email address will not be published. Then, stir the stain with a paint stick until it's completely mixed. It will require a primer and at least two coats in order for it to be effective outdoors. 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. */. Sandpaper helps add texture to smooth, varnished surfaces for easier painting. It is partialy covered over Front door . The Curators Collection offers so much great inspiration! Some leave a milky film when applied over dark paint colors. However, there are many differences between paint vs. stain, from their appearance to their ability to protect the wood. We’ll list the common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best exterior paint or finish for the job. The black stain I use has color and polyurethane applied in 1 step – which gives you a truly durable finish. Apply a second clear coat if needed. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. Now, for the hard part: deciding whether you want to paint or stain your DIY furniture. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Cut the larger towel down into small 6-inch squares. Paint is very thin on edges for obvious reasons. It won’t look thick or heavy on your furniture the way paint sometimes does. Please keep in mind this is my process for painting and staining furniture, but it is not the only way. 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. Spray paint is easier to apply on furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies. Terry 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Step 2 Wash the sanded surface using a trisodium phosphate cleanser. As you can see, in the maintenance of stain vs. paint, stain also has the upper hand. And I’ve learned that the topcoat or Is paint or stain better for handmade furniture? Needs a primer for best results. Well, this week I came across an almost identical antique […], Your email address will not be published. Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. Paint Vs. Stain for Handmade Furniture. 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. Stains basically have the same ingredients as paint. 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! Applied correctly, satin is both durable and beautiful. If the furniture piece is solid wood and if the drawers are inset, stain is a better option. How the drawers are designed has a big impact on my decision to use paint or stain. Painted vs stained cabinets. Learn the top 5 things every homeowner should ask themselves when deciding which option is the best. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don’t always need to prime surfaces first. If front of the drawer completely slides into the cabinet box, the drawers are considered to be inset. Binders are the ingredients responsible for the paint’s texture look, which can either be gloss, satin, or flat. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 definitely things to consider. 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. 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. Three Great Projects to Add Some Fun to a Child’s Room. Rich color. Applying it on wooden furniture will completely hide the wood’s grain. Main menu. Cannot be applied over painted surfaces. Paint is a resistant, film-forming finish that has been around for quite a while. In the case of the antique dresser, it was the same solid wood throughout. 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. The oils found in stain also help keep the wood flexible. 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. It also only usually needs one coat. Adding or removing solvents can adjust the viscosity of the paint, which makes the paint either thicker or thinner. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Starting with the right piece is important. Black stain is thin and sort of sheer looking. Dip a small corner into the stain and, following the grain, rub it into the wood. Choosing to use a bristle brush, a foam brush or a rag is a matter of choice. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. 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. Painting stained and varnished furniture requires some specialized prep work, but the right approach gives you lasting paint coverage and a fresh look. Best Wood Paint & Stain For Your Furniture, The Differences Between Lacquer And Polyurethane, The Differences Between Shellac and Polyurethane, Varnish and Lacquer. It faces South and exposed to East and West on sides . Continue to stir and mix the stain as you're working to be sure that the color is even throughout during the whole process. The problem is that with a satin, any areas you may have missed show up when the light shines on them. Search. 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. 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. nine Glazing is a highly controllable way of adding the antiquing or metallic look between layers of paint and the finish coat. (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. Interior stains usually need a varnish or polyurethane finish for better looks and protection while exterior stains don’t. 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. Plus when the light hits the wood, there’s no sheen so you don’t see imperfections. That said, wood paint is usually available in more color options th… (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Would you like to receive access to my FREE eBooks including my favorite "Ways to Find Furniture to Refinish"? Apply the clear, matte topcoat with a brush. Oil-based paint, also sometimes called alkyd paint, is a durable type of paint for furniture. Love your blog! Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. There really is no battle between paint vs. stain. For example, wood paint tends to require fewer coats due to its thicker texture. OIL STAIN vs. LATEX STAIN Most paint manufacturers offer stains in both latex and oil. Resilient finish that resists stains. Easier cleanup – no brushes, rollers, buckets or paint trays to wash. For a quick facelift on a chair, bench, … http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com. 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. Allow the stain to absorb. Stains give a more rugged feel – perfect if you’re going for an ‘au naturel’ effect. Some stained surfaces only last for one year. Find this denim blue sideboard in our online shop. If you’d like to tone down that sheen you could choose a satin finish. Staining and painting both offer there own pros and cons. Entri Ways participates in inspirational link parties each week: Finding Silver Pennies // Click HERE to see them all. Cons. Instead, they just fade and lose the ability to resist water. Step 1 Sand the stained or varnished furniture using 220-grit sandpaper. Long curing times. If you’d like to replicate that look, you can do the same. Many clear stains have wood preservatives, which can fight mildew, fungi, and sometimes, insect infestations. I’ve found that white or light colored baby bath towels or terry cloth towels work best for staining wood. But keep in mind that certain materials or weather conditions may warrant different choices, especially when painting over old coatings. Stains are penetrating finishes that soak into the grain of your wooden furniture. 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. Stained cabinets one is better for one type of paint for furniture to sand out by hand appearance and with. Loose paint before adding a fresh coat off any excess stain while exterior stains don ’ t go with cabinets..., should we paint it or stain it dresser that I recently refinished may have missed show up when light! Which is better for the paint to yellow enhanced, rather than up! 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