What kind of wood stains and patinates profiled, structured or large-pored wood

The natural pattern and certain treatments such as structuring or artificial ageing are more visible when the wood is stained. The effect is accentuated when patinas appear, especially if the wood has large pores that form a specific natural pattern (oak, ash, mahogany, elm). There are also stains that act as a combination of stain solution and patina, bringing out the pores and structure of the wood much better. We have detailed in a video the application of this type of bath. You have the link to the video at the end of the article. The boy was made available to us by Lomilux, Revista din Lemn partner in the project Finishing gurus. 

A viscous, larger-bodied berry will function as a berry and patina system

Plain dyes are dyes dissolved in water or thinner. When applied to wood, they stain it without adding any special effect. The more viscous berries, also called glazes, have a more elaborate composition, allowing us to achieve different effects. The most common is the marking of pores and the design obtained from structuring or wood antiquing. The thicker bath will fill pores and new structures, highlighting them.

Erasing after application helps to amplify the effect, as the berry is pushed into the pores and into the 3D pattern that appears after structuring. The surface of the wood will look like after patination, the pores are very well marked. The patination effect is very visible on frames or shaped or carved objects, with the berry remaining in corners and hard-to-reach areas.

In order to have the time needed for wiping, the glaze must not dry out quickly. Such products dry in 12 hours or more. The presented bath has the advantage that it is solvent-based, drying in only 4 hours. The drying time cannot be reduced very much due to the bath remaining as a patina in areas that are harder to wipe off. It takes time for the solvent to come out of the remaining thick layer.

Another advantage of the bath is that once the 4 hours drying time has passed and the thinner has evaporated, it can be coated with both solvent-based and water-based primers and varnishes.

With solvent-based baths, the fibre lifts less and sanding between layers is easier

Being a solvent-based wood stain, it also has the advantage that the wood grain does not rise very much. Wood is water-loving and when water gets to it in the form of a water-soluble stain, it absorbs more, and the small ends of the fibres rise. The primer that is applied after the stain covers the fibres, and after drying they become rough and hard. In order not to roughen the final surface, the hard fibres must be removed by sanding. This is why sanding between coats.

And in the case of solvent-based baths the fibre rises, but much less than in the case of a water-based one. Sanding between coats is easier, resulting in a smooth surface with a nice tuft more quickly. The sanding paper is less stressed and lasts longer. Also, the sanding effort is reduced.

The clear coat of primer or varnish applied over the dried berry will slightly change the appearance

After drying, the wood surface is protected with primer and/or varnish. The appearance changes and becomes brighter. It feels more transparent and the wood looks better than before the primer. The effect is most noticeable on white wood. To reach the desired intensity it is best to do a test beforehand.

Depending on the primer used, the colour may also change slightly. Lacquers and primers give a slight yellow tint to the painted surface, most noticeable with white paint. The ones that change the appearance the least are solvent-based acrylic varnishes and primers. This is the varnish also used in the video below.

If you have any questions about how to apply or the characteristics of the bath, leave them below in the dedicated space. I will certainly answer you.