Stains - A Complete Guide
What is a stain?
A stain is a dispersion of pigment in a low-viscosity binder. It is designed to color a surface by penetration without hiding the texture of the surface
.
What are the main ways in which stains are categorized?
Stains are categorized into several categories:
· Interior and exterior
· Latex and oil-based
· Solid color and semi-transparent

What are the benefits of stains?
· Enhance wood surfaces
· Form a thin film, normally eliminating the possibility of blistering
· Are normally applied directly to wood with no primer (except in the case of white stain)
· Are easy to apply
· Are easy to refinish

What are the relative benefits of solid color and semi-transparent stains?
· Solid color stains obscure the grain of wood but reveal the texture. They are more durable than semi-transparent stains.
· Semi-transparent stains reveal and enhance the grain of the wood. (When used inside, they are often overcoated with a clear protective finish.)

How long will stains last?
The two differ in the length of time that they will last:
· Solid color stain can last up to five years.
· Semi-transparent stain can last approximately two to three years.

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