8 Best Pine Wood Stains

What To Know About Pine Wood Stain

As woodworking materials go, pine offers a lot of advantages. It’s cheap and plentiful, and its naturally bright color and interesting grain patterns really stand out after applying some stain. That’s why it’s important to understand how wood stains work.

Technically, there’s no such thing as pine wood stain. All wood stains work well on different woods, pine included. But staining pine isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Here are some factors to take into account before starting your pine wood stain journey.

• Absorption: Unlike other wood species, pine absorbs stain differently from one spot to the next, which is a problem. Some areas of your pine project will end up darker and some lighter, producing a blotchy, uneven look that will make serious woodworkers cringe. Luckily, there’s a solution.

• Pre-stain conditioner: Brush this liquid onto bare wood before staining. When properly applied, it will even out the wood’s stain absorption so it looks much more even and attractive. When working with pine, I never do any staining without first applying pre-stain conditioner.

• Stain type: There are three basic types: water-based, oil-based and gel stains. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Water-based stains dry quicker and don’t stink. They also tend to give more colorful results. Oil-based stains are more durable and require less maintenance. Gel stains are thicker, making them easier to apply than oil or water-based. They also offer a nice blend of bright yet transparent color.

• Stain color: Wood stains come various colors and transparencies. Don’t risk the outcome of your pine wood project on guesswork. Buy a few stains of different colors and types, then apply them in small patches on a piece of scrap wood. Decide what you like before investing the time and effort in a full staining job.

• Wiping off excess: Depending on the color and type of stain you buy, you’ll need fresh shop towels after application to dry off any excess before it fully soaks into the wood. Some stains, particularly dark oil-based products, can easily make your pine project darker than you want if you let the excess soak in.

Keep reading for eight of our favorite wood stains that work great on pine.