Wood Stains

Best Wood Stains For Hardwood Floors

It is very hard to decide what wood stalin to select from the thousands of options available online and in the shops. Only a search for the word oak wood stain brings up a few thousands pages from all over the world. So it is fair to say that the wood stain business is big and getting bigger. But most people are not even aware of what a wood stain is, what it is supposed to do, how to use it, where to use it and if they actually need it. If you ask around about what is the best finish for a wooden floor or a wooden piece of furniture, at least one person will recommend the use of a wood stain. Just get a good wood stain and seal the wood! But is that actually the way to seal and protect the wood?

Wood Care Products is one of the bigest suppliers of oil based wood stains in Ireland. We are the official distributor for all Chimiver Wood Stains, Tover Wood Stains and Bona Wood Stains or Bona Craft Oil as most people know it. These three brands of wood stains allow us to offer our customers 75 distinct colours of wood stains. Some wood stains colours, like the grey colour, can have up to 10 variations. Light grey, medium grey, anthracite grey, stone grey, dove grey, antique grey, classic grey, etc. While they all are variations of the same base colour, they can look quite different when applied to the same type of wood. 

So What Is A Wood Stain?

A wood stain is a wood colour that is applied to a piece of raw wood to change its colour. Some wood stains are water based while others are oil based, but our company only sells oil based wood stains and below, we will explain why. The wood stain is not actually a protector at all but is a colour and its main job is to change the colour of the wood. If you have a very whitish type of wood and you are looking for something darker, you can use a walnut or an oak wood stain to create whatever colour you fancy or if the wood is very dark and boring, you can use some white or light grey wood stain to create a brighter finish or a more modern finish. Darkening up bright types of wooden surfaces is pretty easy but brightening up dark types of wood is pretty challenging. So, the wood stain has little or no protective qualities. It usually requires some sealer to overcoat it to provide the maximum protection. The wood stains from Bona, or the Bona Craft Oils, are a type of two pack wood stains that are actually hard wax oils but can be overcoated with a lacquer for extra protection. There is a huge difference between floor oils and wood stains, but some floor oils behave like wood stains while some wood stains can behave like floor oils. We will explain below.

On What Surface Can You Use A Wood Stain?

For the wood stain to do its job, the wood has to be brand new or newly sanded. The wood stain has to be able to fully penetrate the wood to be able to change the colour of the wood. If there is a sealant on the wood, the wood stain won`t be able to penetrate and do what it is supposed to do. So, before applying the wood stain to the wood, the surface should be sanded up nicely and all old sealers removed in full. A wood stain cannot be used as a refresher, as the main sealer or as a colour over pre-existing sealers. All wood stains are compatible with real wood surfaces and semi solid wood floors. You cannot stain laminated surfaces or surfaces that imitate wood. The same process applies to floors, furniture, statues, doors, skirtings, toys, etc. 

How To Apply The Wood Stain To The Surface?

Applying a wood stain to a piece of furniture is a pretty straightforward operation. Put a pair of gloves on, shake the tin of wood stain to create a uniform composition and prepare a good quality microfiber cloth. The wood surface has to be dry, clean and sealant free. We recommend this system for staining smaller surfaces of wood or wooden floors. For larger floor areas or commercial applications, the user can use floor buffers or larger application systems.

1. Place the microfiber cloth inside the wood stain tin and allow it to get soaked.
2. Apply the cloth to the wood and rub it up and down the fiber of the wood until the surface looks evenly coloured.
3. Remove all the excess wood stain before the surface has fully dried.
4. Allow it to dry for a few hours and then prepare for sealing the surface.

Best Sealers To Seal Wood Stains

What makes a quality wood stain good? A number of things but the most important feature is the natural look. You want a wood stain that looks realistic and that creates a beautiful natural look that does not look fake or forced. The most realistic and most natural finishes are being created when using solvent based wood stains. The solvent wood stains (not all of it) are rich, have amazing coverage areas and will dry in a matter of minutes. To seal a newly stained wooden surface, the user has to use a solvent based floor lacquer or a two pack water based floor lacquer. A single pack water based floor lacquer is not compatible with the oil based wood stains. Wood Care Products sells a number of two pack water based floor lacquers from Chimiver, Tover and Bona. We can recommend the most natural looking water based floor lacquers, matt floor lacquers, satin floor lacquers or super glossy water based floor lacquers. The durability is pretty much the same but the final finish can look totally different. The two pack water based floor lacquer is sold with a special hardener that makes it highly compatible with all oil based and water based wood stains. This detail is very important so make sure to remember this when ordering the lacquer needed to overcoat the wood stain – It HAS to be a two pack floor lacquer or solvent based floor lacquer.

What Are The Most Popular Colours Of Wood Stains?

The point of using a good wood stain is to enrich the wood, to create unique finishes, to blend in old and new wood surfaces, to get rid of the whitish finishes, to blend in the wood with the skirting or the wall paint, to mask some imperfections or to create fun colours. So there is not really a type of stain that most people just know to order and the job is done and dusted. In 99% of the cases the idea of the wood stain is to transform otherwise cheap looking wooden surfaces into rich looking wooden surfaces. The richest and the most prestigious types of wood floors are walnut, oak, mahogany, rose wood, nut tree and so on. From time to time the fashion also a serious impact on the way the professionals and the DIY users use wood stains. The grey wood stain was in high demand over the past 10 years but is fading away while the white Scandinavian finishes are gaining popularity. A lot of people are restoring old furniture because the world has become more eco-friendly, so the rich colour wood stains are in big demand as well. So there is no “best” wood stain to pick and you cannot ask anyone to recommend you a particular colour because you will need to live with whatever colour you have selected for the next few years. We at Wood Care Products would love for you to drop by with a sample of wood and an idea of what you would like done and then we can show you samples of wood stains to match pretty closely. Remember, a walnut wood stain from x brand can look totally different than a walnut wood stain from the y brand. The same wood stain can look totally different when applied to a different type of wood fiber. We will detail a bit more below.

What Brands Of Wood Stains Are The Most Popular? 

Again, the type of wood stain and the final result can depend on the type of project undertaken, the finish expected, the type of wood and another 50 factors. Wood Care Products have sanded and restored wooden floors for many years before we started selling wood care products to the public and to the residential market. From our experience and from our customers’ reviews, we can highly recommend the Chimiver, Tover and Bona range of wood stains. These three brands of wood stains are the best, they have the best coveage, dry the fastest, are easy to use, look the most realistic and create unique and elegant finishes. 

Chimiver Wood Stains | This amazing Italian brand sells 18 colours of wood stains that can satisfy even the most demanding customers. Starting from white all the way to black. The Chimiver Wood Stains are deep penetrating wood stains that go deep inside the wood and dry in a matter of minutes. It looks spectacular and it creates some of the most beautiful looking finishes. Unlike other types of wood stains, the Chimiver range of wood stains is a bit thinner so it penetrates deeper inside the wood.

Tover Wood Stains | Another Italian brand of high quality wood stains. The Tover range contains 28 distinct colours of wood stains that are compatible with most types of wood surfaces. The Tover range of wood stains are a bit thicker than other types of wood stains and only penetrates about 1-2 mm inside the wood. The Tover Wood Stains are mostly used by the professional wood floor refinishing trade. 

Bona Craft Oil 2K | The Bona range of wood stains can be listed as a hard wax oil and as a wood stain. It can be used either way. The amazing Bona Craft Oil 2K is available in 17 distinct colours. This product is a two pack coloured oil that can be used as the main sealer or it can be used as a colour and then it can be overcoated with a two pack water based floor lacquer. The product is usually used by the professional trade.

Within these ranges you will find a colour that you might like. Each brand of wood stains has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some contractors love one and hate the other ones and the other way around.

What To Do And What Not To Do While Staining Wood

The success rate is totally connected to the preparation. This is a time consuming operation so it should be treated as such. The wood surface has to be sanded and prepared to perfection before the wood stain is applied otherwise any imperfection will be made more visible. All our wood stains can be used by highly skilled professionals and DIY users as well assuming that the step by step recommendations are respected.

1. Sand the wood surface to make sure that all pre-existing finishes are fully removed and the wood is 100% sealant free. Only then the user should stain the wood.
2. Make sure to sand the surface while moving along with the fiber of the wood and not against it. Any deep scratches will be visible after the surface is stained.
3. Make sure that you sand the surface from the roughest sandpaper to the finest and not the other way around. Start with 40 grit and finish the surface with 100 to 120 grit sanding paper. Any smoother than that and the wood stain cannot penetrate, any rougher than that and the deep scratches will be very visible.
4. Only apply the wood stain on surfaces that are dust free, clean and dry. Most wood stains should be applied in one coat only. The second coat cannot penetrate through the first coat so it will not dry.
5. Make sure to prepare the surface nicely, protect all the surfaces that are not supposed to get stained and work in an area with good air ventilation. Use a clean microfiber cloth that is fluff free.
6. Apply the initial coat of wood stain and then remove all the excess stain from the surface of the wood. The wood fiber will absorb whatever amount of wood stain it can and the excess wood stain should be removed.
7. All the cloths used to stain the wood should be soaked in water before being disposed of. All that friction can generate static energy that can ignite in direct contact with the solvent wood stain.
8. Make sure to overcoat the wood stain with a few coats of two pack water based floor lacquer. Not all the lacquer is the same so you should make sure that you are happy with the level of sheen before sealing the entire surface.
9. If you are mixing up a number of wood stains you should make sure that you mix enough wood stains to cover the whole project. You will never be able to match the same colour twice. The recommended coverage area is recommended only and it can vastly vary depending on the wood absorption, the quality of the sanding and the operative’s skill. 

Colours Of Wood Stains By Brand

The same wood stain can and will look totally different on a different type of wood fibers. The bright types of wood stains applied to a very dark type of wood can end up creating a dirty finish. Some wood stains that are supposed to brighten up dark fibers, are invisible when applied to a bright type of wood surface. 

Here is a a list of colours by brands:

Chimiver Chestnut Wood Stain | One of the popular wood stains from the Chimiver range. A pleasant looking wood stain that can transform very bright types of wood fibers into a warm and more modern finish. The new Chimiver Chestnut Wood Stain is not really suitable for use on oak floors or darker types of wooden fibers because it is not visible at all. It has to be applied over a clean, sanded and dry wood surface and then sealed with a two pack water based floor lacquer from Chimiver. Just like all other wood stains from Chimiver, the new Chimiver Chestnut Wood Stain requires no dilution and it can be used by highly skilled professionals and the DIY users.

Chimiver Larch Wood Stain | A light type of wood stain that imitates the colour of the larch wood. It can be used to enhance the look of all types of very bright types of wood fibers and to prevent the yellow of some wood from passing through. The new Chimiver Larch Wood Stain is a solvent based wood stain that should be used undiluted and it should be applied on all types of wooden surfaces that are sealant free, dry, clean and ready for staining. The stain will slightly darken up the fiber of the wood while enriching the natural aspect of the cheap types of wood. It requires overcoating with a two pack water based floor lacquer from Chimiver.

Chimiver Cherry Wood Stain | A fun wood stain that is mostly used to create very alive finishes or to blend in old and new types of wood surfaces. The new Chimiver Cherry Wood Stain is compatible with all wooden floors, wooden furniture, wooden statues, doors and frames. To maximize its potential, please use the new Chimiver Cherry Wood Stain on bright types of wood surfaces. This outstanding quality wood stain is oil based, it fully dries within 2 hours, it has an outstanding coverage area and it should be overcoated with a few coats of Chimiver water based floor lacquer. The new Chimiver Cherry Wood Stain is sold in 1L bottle and it can be applied with a microfiber cloth or a floor buffer. Pre-treating is highly recommended before larger areas are stained.

Chimiver Old Oak Wood Stain | The most highly raated wood stain from the Chimiver range. The new Chimiver Old Oak Wood Stain is a professional wood stain that creates extreme rich finishes on boring looking wood surfaces. It is usually used by the professional trade for restoring and refinishing old types of wood floors that are slightly discoloured or when newish types of wood were used to repair parts of it. The new Chimiver Old Oak Wood Stain is a high coverage wood stain that really exposes the fiber of the wood and it equalizes different types of wood colours. It can be successfully used on bright types and medium bright types of wooden surfaces. If you are looking for a premium quality wood stain to really transform the look of your floors, try the new Chimiver Old Oak Wood Stain. Don`t forget to seal with a two pack water based floor lacquer from Chimiver.

Chimiver Classic Walnut Wood Stain | If you are sick and tired of your boring looking pine wooden floors and if you are looking for a way to reduce the yellowish hue of the wood while creating a richer and much more elegant finish, the new Chimiver Classic Walnut Wood Stain is highly compatible with all types of wooden floors, furniture, doors, frames, skirting and more. It has to be applied on a dry, sealant free and spotless surface. The new Chimiver Classic Walnut Wood Stain is an oil based type of wood stain so the user should only work in well ventilated areas. Wood preparation is essential before applying the new Chimiver Classic Walnut Wood Stain to the surface. New wood fibers should be lightly sanded with 100-120 grit sanding paper while the old types of wood surfaces that were sealed before, should be fully sanded with all grits and finished with 100 to 120 grit sanding paper before staining. Overcoating with a two pack water based floor lacquer is essential.

Chimiver Old Walnut | A rich and elegant wood stain that can transform pretty much any type of wood fiber into a classic looking finish. The new Chimiver Old Walnut is suitable for staining all types of wood fibers regardless of the type of wood. It has to be applied to a fully sanded or new type of wood surface that was never sealed before. Even the new types of wooden surfaces will require a slight sanding to make sure that all the imperfections and all the rough patches are removed in full. The new Chimiver Old Walnut is a dark type of wood stain, that depending on what type of wood fiber is applied, it can look medium dark or really dark. The wood stain looks especially amazing when used on oak furniture. A final coat of a two pack water based floor lacquer from Chimiver is required. To maximize its look and to create a super fancy finish, please use a semi gloss floor lacquer to seal it. The estimated coverage area for the amazing Chimiver Old Walnut is about 30 to 50 sq meters of wood per 1L but it can vary depending on a few factors.

Chimiver Grey Wood Stain | The colour grey has come out of nowhere and has become very popular within a few short years. Everyone is looking for grey on everything. So the Chimiver range has come up with a wide variety of grey colours that can match any preexisting finish and it can also create unique finishes on new types of wood. The new Chimiver Grey Wood Stain is a medium grey wood stain that can only be used on very bright types of wooden surfaces. It can be used to stain all types of real wood floors, furniture, doors, frames, kids toys, etc. Within a few seconds after the initial application, the wood transforms itself from a boring and white surface into a very modern and contemporary finish. The grey wood stain is fun, elegant and very modern. It cannot be used on dark types of wood fibers because it becomes nearly invisible. Apply it with a clean microfiber cloth while moving along with the fiber of the wood. For a larger floor surface please apply the new Chimiver Grey Wood Stain with a floor buffer and a white pad.

Chimiver Dove Grey Wood Stain | This is a light variation of the grey wood stain that does not actually change the colour of the wood into grey but it gives the wood a hint of grey in the fiber of the wood. The stain is very light and very cool looking. A professional quality wood stain that can give a bit of life to an otherwise boring looking wood furniture. Many parents use the new Chimiver Dove Grey Wood Stain to transform their kids’ bedroom floors or to modernize old furniture. The wood stain is solvent based and it has to be used in areas with good ventilation. To maximize its looks and final finish please use the new Chimiver Dove Grey Wood Stain in conjunction with a matt or a natural water based floor lacquer. Loved by the domestic market and highly recommended by the professional floor refinishing trade.

Chimiver Titanium Grey Wood Stain | The amazing Chimiver Titanium Grey Wood Stain is a mix up of light grey and a bit of brown. A medium grey wood stain that can look totally different when applied to different types of wood. Used on light types of wood is actually very similar to the basic grey wood stain from Chimiver but when used on a medium dark type of wood floor, like a yellow pine, it became a dark grey stain. One of those wood stains that some people cannot get enough of while others really hate it. The amazing Chimiver Titanium Grey Wood Stain is the perfect wood stain for blending in old grey wood floors with new floors that have to be stained grey. The new Chimiver Titanium Grey Wood Stain is basically an aged grey wood stain that can be safely used on all types of wood surfaces like wood floors, doors, furniture, frames, etc. Just have the wooden surface fully sanded and finished with 100 to 120 grit sandpaper and apply one coat of the new Chimiver Titanium Grey Wood Stain. Seal the wood stain with 1-2 coats of Chimiver two pack water based wood floor lacquer and the job is completed.

Chimiver Stone Wood Stain | The new Chimiver Stone Wood Stain is not white and is not grey, but somewhere between. It really enhances the look of the wood and it brings life to boring old and dated furniture. If you are after a Scandinavian finish or a very bright type of finish to really create the feeling of space, then the new Chimiver Stone Wood Stain is the ideal wood stain for you. It is suitable to use on all types of light to medium coloured types of wood surfaces. When applied on darkish types of wooden floors it becomes a very dirty old grey that has no personality. Use the amazing Chimiver Stone Wood Stain on any type of wooden surface that is sealant free, dry and clean. To be applied in one even coat while moving along with the fiber of the wood and not against it. 1L of wood stain can cover up to 50 sq meters of floor but it can vary dramatically based on the quality of the sanding job, the way it is applied and the skill of the applicator. One of the most highly recommended wood stains. Many interior designers and architects use the new Chimiver Stone Wood Stain to refinish or restore old wooden surfaces.

Chimiver White Wood Stain | The basic white wood stain from the Chimiver range. The Bianco wood stain is a white wood stain that can be used to create a white wash effect in dull looking or yellow looking wood types. Even if its name is “white”, the new Chimiver White Wood Stain is not actually very white. It adds a bit of white in the fiber of the wood. To maximise its looks and to make sure that the surface is fully sealed, please apply 2 coats of Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer Matt over the stain. It looks elegant, it creates the feeling of space, it dries pretty fast and it does not require a lot of skills to be used. One of the 1L tins of the new Chimiver White Wood Stain contains enough wood stain to stain up to about 50 sq meters of wood surface. It can also be used to stain and enhance real wood worktops, wood furniture, wood toys, wood handles, wood doors, wood frames and others. If you are looking for a bright wood stain but you are not sure how white is the white wood stain is, then you should drop by the shop with a piece of wood and we will do a small sample for you to make sure that you are fully satisfied. While the new Chimiver White Wood Stain is an indoor wood stain, there is no reason why it cannot be used for outdoor use as long as a proper outdoor sealer is used. 

Chimiver Super White Wood Stain | If the white wood stain is not as white as expected, then you can go for the super white wood stain. Basically, the new Chimiver Super White Wood Stain will provide similar results to the classic white wood stain but it is about 30% whiter. While some people are looking for a bit of white within the fiber of the wood, others are looking for a very clearly visible white. This is the main reason the new Chimiver Super White Wood Stain was created by Chimiver. This particular type of wood stain is mostly popular with the domestic market in particular with people that had really yellow wood floors for years and decided to get rid of the yellow for good and create a more spacious feeling within the home. The white wood stain has an outstanding coverage area, it dries in no time and it really creates white finishes. It has to be overcoated with a good quality two pack water based wood floor lacquer from Chimiver. Make sure to apply only one coat of the new Chimiver Super White Wood Stain. Some people are attempting to apply consecutive coats of wood stains but the wood stain cannot penetrate the wood after the first coat has dried and it will end up not drying and creating sticky surfaces.

Chimiver Vanilla Wood Stain I The vanilla wood stain is a cute wood stain that is not that popular. It does not really do a lot to the wood so most people do not use it. The new Chimiver Vanilla Wood Stain is a light brownish wood stain that can be used to stain very light types of wood surfaces. It creates a light brown cappuccino finish on pine floors or similar types of wood. It creates an aged finish to a brand new type of wood. The same preparation process applies and it should be applied in one coat only with a good microfiber cloth or a floor buffer if used to stain large floor areas. If the wood surface looks sealed or has imperfections on it, it has to be sanded down with 40 grit, then 60 grit, then 80 grit and then 100 grit sandpaper. All the dust has to be extracted and then a fine coat of wood stain has to be applied to the surface. After about 2 hours, the wood surface can be overcoated with a two pack water based floor lacquer from Chimiver. If you are not sure if the new Chimiver Vanilla Wood Stain is the one for you, drop by the shop and we will do a small sample for you.

Chimiver Havana Wood Stain I The new Chimiver Havana Wood Stain is a dark grey wood stain that when applied to a light type of wood it creates a very dark grey finish and when applied to a darker type of wood fiber it creates a cool finish where the grain of the wood is grey while the rest of the surface is unchanged. It can be used for creating grey finishes in all kinds of wooden floors, wood furniture, wood toys, wood worktops and so on. The new Chimiver Havana Wood Stain is a very easy to use wood stain that provides instant and very visible results. If you are ready for a major change and if you are ready to go all grey fast, then the new Chimiver Havana Wood Stain is the ideal wood stain for you. A fine quality and deep penetrating wood stain that is highly appreciated by interior designers and professional floor finishers. All you need is a clean microfiber cloth, a tin of the new Chimiver Havana Wood Stain, some gloves and a bit of common sense. Apply a thin coat of wood stain all over the wood surface, allow the wood to absorb it and then remove all the excess stain with a clean cloth. Allow it to dry for about 2 hours and then apply 2 coats of a two pack water based wood stain from Chimiver.

Chimiver Fume Wood Stain I A dark brown wood stain with a hint of a grey. The new Chimiver Fume Wood Stain is a dark wood stain that is highly popular with restaurants, pubs, art galleries and residential floors where a contrast colour is required. A nice solvent wood stain that also looks spectacular when used on classic furniture. The amazing Chimiver Fume Wood Stain is also used by the floor refinishing trade to even up discolorations between floorboards and to create a rich and elegant finish. This amazing wood stain can make small water damage and wood imperfections nearly invisible. To be applied in a one coat system over a dry, unsealed and spotless wood surface. If you are looking for a proper rich wood stain to transform bright types of wood surfaces into classic wood finishes, then the amazing Chimiver Fume Wood Stain is the one stain for you. Outstanding coverage area, amazing instant colorations and streak free finish guaranteed. Use a floor buffer in conjunction with a flat mop if you are planning to stain large floor areas or use a small microfiber cloth to stain furniture and small items. Overcoat the stained surface with 1-2 coats of Chimiver Ecostar 2K Matt. 

Chimiver Teak Wood Stain I There are about 50 different types of teak wood stains available online and they all look different. Each brand adds a bit of extra stuff or removes some stuff to create unique finishes. Our teak wood stain is a kind of walnut-cherry colour, looks very dark when applied but it dries up much lighter. It can be used to create rich and unique finishes on all types of lightly coloured wooden floors and wooden surfaces. The new Chimiver Teak Wood Stain is also the ideal choice for those looking to blend in old and new types of woods. The new Chimiver Teak Wood Stain is sold in a 1L tin and if applied correctly to a properly prepared wooden surface, it can cover over 50 sq meters of surface. Apply one coat of the new Chimiver Teak Wood Stain over a dry, dust free and sealant free surface. Do a sample test to make sure that you are fully satisfied with the colour of your stained wood and only then stain the entire surface. The new Chimiver wood stains are not affected by the UV light and it can be overcoated with a two pack water based floor lacquer or a hard wax oil. Do not walk on the stained surface while the surface is drying or is nearly dry. Make sure that the surface is dry to the touch before the floor lacquer is used to overcoat it.

Chimiver Wenge Wood Stain I The wenge wood stain is as close to black as a stain can get. While the wenge wood stain is sold as a very greyish type of wood stain, in reality, the fine colour can be pretty black or some kind of dirty grey, depending on the type of raw material. The new Chimiver Wenge Wood Stain is compatible with all types of wooden fibres but the results can vary dramatically. A rich and deep penetrating wood stain that can mask imperfections, cover up water damage and create very classy looking finishes. It can be used for staining wooden floors, old and new, wooden worktops, frames, doors, skirting and other types of real wood surface. Some people are mixing up a number of different stains to achieve unique finishes and the new Chimiver Wenge Wood Stain is the perfect candidate for that. A tin of the amazing Chimiver Wenge Wood Stain will easily cover over 50 sq meters of wood surface assuming that the user knows how to do it and is using the right technology. So if you are after a nearly black type of wood stain to get rid of all those imperfections from the wood and to create a cool and elegant finish, then you should order the new Chimiver Wenge Wood Stain today. 

Chimiver Black Wood Stain I Even if its name contains the word black, the new Chimiver Black Wood Stain is not actually black. It is a dark stain but it does not create a pure black finish even when applied to a very dark type of wood fiber. The new Chimiver Black Wood Stain can actually be used on all types of wood fibers but the results can vary big time. It does not cover the fiber of the wood and it does not create artificial glazing. A professional quality wood stain that can be used to match old and new finishes, it can be used to create a contrast or it can be used to create more fun finishes. To maximise its natural look, please overcoat the new Chimiver Black Wood Stain with a semi gloss water based wood floor lacquer from Chimiver. 1 L will easily cover anywhere between 30 to 50 sq meters. The new Chimiver Black Wood Stain is oil based and it has to be used in areas with good natural ventilation. All surfaces that do not require staining should be fully protected to avoid permanent damage. If you are likely to stain a large floor area, please use a low speed floor buffer to ensure superior coverage area and faster drying times. 

All Chimiver wood stains are designed to do a job. To change the colour of some type of wood from one tone to another. Some stains that are very light do not affect the final look of already light types of wood and some stains that are very neutral do not affect the final look of neutral types of wood fibers. The same wood stain can look totally different when applied on pine floors than when applied on oak floors. Some types of wood fibers, like the maple wood, should not be stained. The wood absorption levels are very uneven and it can create very visually unpleasant finishes. 

Another great range of wood stains is the Bona Craft Oil 2k. These wood stains are two pack wood stains that are sold with a special hardener. The new range of Bona Craft Oil 2k can be used either as a floor oil without the need of using a protector or it can be used as a wood stain to create unique colours and then sealed with a two pack water based floor lacquer. The new Bona Craft Oil 2k are thicker than most wood stains and after it gets mixed up with the hardener it becomes even thicker. If staining large floor areas it should be used in conjunction with a heavy floor buffer to ensure even distribution and quick drying times. Below, we will detail all the information needed by the user to be able to stain wooden surfaces with the new Bona Craft Oil 2k.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Neutral | One of the most popular wood stains from the Bona range. This seals the wood surface and creates a cozy, light gold finish that is only visible when applied to light types of wood surfaces. It can also be applied to darker types of wooden surfaces as well but the colour will not be visible at all. It can be successfully used to warm up very light types of wooden floors, stairs and other types of wood surfaces. For enhanced protection please seal it with 2 coats of two pack water based wood floor lacquer.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Invisible | If you are looking for a natural non yellowing wood stain, then you should definitely be looking for the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Invisible. This two pack oil based wood stain will fully penetrate the surface to create an invisible finish that fully protects the surface but is not really visible to the naked eye. If you are looking for 100% natural finish but you are also looking for increased protection, you should overcoat the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Invisible with two coats of Bona Traffic Raw. 

Bona Craft Oil 2K Sand | Exactly as its name says it, the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Sand will create a beach sand like colour. It is not really yellow, not really white and not really brown. A great mix of colours that is highly popular with floor refurbishment companies. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Sand can be easily used to stain hardwood floors, furniture, worktops and other types of raw wood surfaces. The wood surface has to be sealant free, dry and clean. The wood stain has to be mixed up with the hardener before applying it to the surface. Pre-testing for colour compatibility is highly recommended.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Misty | A light brownish type of wood stain that imitates light oak finishes. It can be used to darken up light types of wooden surfaces and to enrich the look of otherwise boring wood. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Misty is a pretty neutral type of wood stain that is in big demand with pine floor owners. It seals in the yellow of the pine and it creates a medium light finish. It can be overcoated with a few coats of a two pack floor lacquer. Surface preparation is essential and the mixture of the hardener and the wood stain should be done 10 minutes before the application.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Light Grey | This is the most widely used and most popular wood stain from Bona. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Light Grey is a very light type of stain that only adds a hint of wood stain in the grain of the wood. It can be applied in a one coat system or it can be overcoated with a two pack water based floor lacquer. It fully penetrates the wood and it really exposes the fiber of the wood. A two pack wood stain that is usually applied by the professionals. It can also be used by the DIY users for small staining projects but for large flooring areas the user has to use proper floor buffers and white pads.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Frost | The white wood stain from Bona. A really bright type of wood stain that will create a rich Scandinavian finish. It does not whiten up the wood in full but instead it makes the fiber of the wood whiter to create a beautiful contrast. It covers around 30-50 sq meters of floor per 1.25 L bottle but it can vary dramatically depending on the type of wood, the way it is applied and the talent of the applicator. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Frost is highly compatible with all types of wood floors, wood worktops, wood furniture, wood toys, wood doors and so on. The surface has to be fully sanded or brand new.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Ash | A very beautiful wood stain that is a mixture between white and grey. It is designed to create contemporary finishes and to enhance the look of dull and tired wood fibres. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Ash is suitable for staining all types of wooden floors regardless of its colour. The surface has to be sanded with all grits sanding paper until all the old sealers are fully removed. For smaller staining projects the user can use a cleaning cloth while for larger staining projects the user has to use a powerful floor buffer and a white pad. Make sure to do a patch test before using the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Ash on a large area.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Driftwood | A really dark type of wood stain that can create a rich and elegant finish on pretty much any type of wood surface. The new Bona Craft Oil 2K Driftwood  is also great for masking imperfections and creating an even colour between old and new surfaces. A two pack wood stain that can be used with or without a sealer. If the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Driftwood is applied to a hardwood floor or to a high traffic staircase, the product should be sealed with a few coats of two pack high traffic floor lacquer from Bona or Chimiver. Use the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Driftwood on floors, worktops, classic furniture and other real wood surfaces.

Bona Craft Oil 2K Umbra | This particular type of wood stain is a mixture between the classic teak wood stain and walnut. Darkish but with a hint of cherry. A beautiful looking wood stain that has become a great hit since first being released. It can transform any cheap piece of furniture or wood floor into a beautiful looking finish. 1 tin of the new Bona Craft Oil 2K Umbra can cover up to about 50 sq meters of floor. To maximize its natural looks the surface should be sealed with 2 coats of a two pack water based floor lacquer from Bona or Chimiver. Make sure to only mix up whatever amount of wood stain is needed for the size of your job  with the hardener otherwise it will dry inside the tin.

Craft Oil 2K Clay | The walnut wood stain from the Bona range. A truly magnificent wood stain that has become one of the most widely used wood stains in the entire world. The product is designed to really darken up the wood and to transform the look of cheap wood floors like pine, into walnut or dark oak finishes. The final look will depend on the type of wood fiber and the way it is applied. The same type of wood stain applied on different types of wood floors can look 100% different. Use the amazing Craft Oil 2K Clay on hardwood floors, engineered wooden floors, wood furniture and other types of wood surfaces. To be applied in 1 coat system of a clean, sealant free and dry surface.

Craft Oil 2K Graphite | The graphite wood stain is a mix up between a bit of brown, a bit of grey and some oak. It creates a beautiful finish that really exposes the fiber of the wood. It can mask a number of imperfections, water damages and wood discolorations. The new Craft Oil 2K Graphite is a two pack wood stain that has to be applied to a clean and sealant free surface. The wood stain has to penetrate the wood in full to be able to fully dry so any protector or sealer has to be removed. Mix up the hardener with the stain and apply it to the wood. You can use a microfiber cloth or a floor buffer if you are dealing with larger floor areas. 

Just because your next door neighbor has achieved a unique finish on his floors it does not mean that the same wood stain will look the same on your own floors. The base wood will decide the final colour. The same wood stain applied to different types of wood surfaces can look totally different so be fully aware of that. The wood has to be sanded to perfection to be able to achieve great results. Any scratch or sanding imperfection will be made much more visible after staining it. Single pack water based floor lacquers are not compatible with oil based wood stains. All cloths or pads used for staining wood should be soaked in clean water before being disposed of. The risk of self ignition is very high. Protect all surfaces that do not require staining to avoid unwanted issues later. Do not walk on the stained surface until it is dry. Do not apply lacquer over wood stains that have not fully dried. The coverage area of all brands of wood stain is estimated only and it can vary dramatically from job to job. If you are mixing up a few colours of wood stain to create unique colours, make sure to mix up enough to cover the whole surface because if you are a bit short, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the same colour. Work in well ventilated areas. If you are not confident enough to commence a project, do not do it. Hire the services of a professional floor sanding or floor refinishing contractor.

Wood Stains