- Wood stain adds rich color to all sorts of wood, bringing out natural grain, altering its color to recreate a different type of wood, and refreshing the appearance of older materials that have faded with time and exposure to the elements
- Use care when deciding whether to use an oil-based wood stain or a water-based stain.
- Both have their pros and cons, and one will usually be more suitable for a given project.
- Varathane Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain is our choice for the best wood stain because dries in just one hour and usually requires just one coat.
Wood stain is the quickest and easiest way to dramatically change the appearance of a piece of furniture, a deck, flooring, or any other wooden surface that needs some restoration or a whole new look. When you choose the right wood stain, it's easy and satisfying to work with, and you get results that last for years, if not indefinitely.
How do you choose the right wood stain, though? First, know that wood stain is a product that changes the color of a wood, like its name suggests. It's not a varnish or lacquer meant to seal or protect wood without changing the color. A good stain will add protection against fading and can make wood more resistant to water and rot, but it won't protect the surface from scratches or gouges, so consider a top coat material once the staining is done and dried.
Oil-based wood stain is slow to dry, but once it is fully set, it lasts longer than water-based stains. Oil wood stains sink deeper into the wood and create a rich color, and they add a moderate hydrophobic effect to the wood, too. For most exterior stain projects, oil-based stains are the way to go (the exception being wood that is naturally resistant to rot, like redwood or cedar).
Water-based wood stains are ideal for indoor projects, as they give off less VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have less odor, and because they dry much faster than oil-based stains. Water-based stain is less durable than oil stains, but they also clean up easier, a plus if you spill any while working in your home.
Those are the basics on how to choose a wood stain. As for a few great stains to consider, here are brands I and thousands of other satisfied strainers have long trusted.
Final notes: Remember to sand well, wipe away all the dust you create, and spot test the wood stain on a scrap of wood or somewhere that won't show, because staining wood is permanent!
Here are the best wood stains you can buy in 2019:
- Best wood stain overall: Varathane Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain
- Best solid wood stain: BEHR Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer
- Best gel wood stain: Minwax Gel Stain
- Best water-based wood stain: SamaN Interior Water Based Stain
- Best eco-friendly wood stain: PureColor Eco-Friendly EvenGrain Stain
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