just wondering what anyone uses or has used to stain pine trimwork. i’ve thought about shellac and did a sample on a few pieces kind of liked it but not a lot. the reason for the pine is i’m tired of oak, cherry, and mahogany i want something else. this is the funny part i want the finish to look as close as possible to like a med. oak color. any help would be great. thanks to all.
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Replies
"""just wondering what anyone uses or has used to stain pine trimwork?"!"""
paint LOL!!!!
depends. is it clear or knotty.
IMHO new pine trim is nasty as the timber is generally rubbish.
you can try wood stains and then a varnish top coat??
I still use roof tar and mineral spirits..asphaltum make a great walnut stain..if he wants oak I'd use oak {G}
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I thought that too, sphere. If an oak look is prefered, I'd sure as hell use oak-- otherwise it just looks like pine blotchily dyed or stained darker, ha, ha. Slainte.RJFurniture
I've used Minwax brand stains, with fair success.
It's hard to get a consistent finish, since the pine tends to blotch a bit. A rag dampened with paint thinner can help smooth the finish out after the stain is applied.
A father can give his son homes and riches, but only the Lord can give them understanding wives. [Proverbs 19:14]
I think the shellac is kind of like using Polyshades for a surface color. When one of your casings or baseboards get knicked the base color will stand out. better to use a penetrating stain.
I dont like to use water based stains or finishes on pine because they raise the grain more than mineral based does.
Pine can be difficult to achieve a uniform color tone. Any surface irregularitys will be highlighted by the stain. You will need to sand through a finer grit than with hardwoods.
Definetly use a conditioner before staining or you will get a blotchy uneven color. The conditioner will help hide some irregularitys that sanding missed. Not too many painters like to hear that advice because it is an extra step in the process. Also dont believe stains that say they have a conditioner built in.
Maybe try Minwax conditioner and their golden oak or fruitwood stain.
Whatever color you go with keep in mind the pine by itself will darken a shade or two in a couple of years.
One option: If the likely blotchiness will bother you, start with Minwax's conditioner or a wash coat of shellac wiped on (5 or 6 parts alcohol to one part shellac out of the can), then oil based stain (maybe golden oak), allow plenty of dry time, then top coats with shellac or poly. Shellac may be more easily scratched, but is much easier to repair than poly.