Wood has been used by mankind in the construction and decoration for a very long time. This material has a special kind. This is stained wood. Such material has lived two lives. At first the tree grew under the sun, and then it appeared in the bowels of the water. Here it was a long time.
As a result, the material acquires a characteristic dark shade. In addition, its building qualities are improved. The wood is becoming very durable. After such natural processing, it is not subject to decay; bugs and insects do not start in it.
In addition to its strength characteristics, stained wood is famous for its luxurious appearance. This is a great material for decoration, furniture facades. The cost of stained wood is quite high.
To give the material an elegant look, various means are used. Therefore, it is quite possible to process the wood with your own hands.
Stained natural wood
The natural process of wood processing occurs in a natural way. The tree falls under water, where it is located for a long time. The longer, the better its quality. To determine how many years the material has been under water, an analysis of stained wood is carried out. In some cases, the duration of this period exceeds 1000 years.
The cost of the submitted material reaches 300 thousand rubles. per cube m. This is a very rare oak wood. Other breeds may also undergo natural processing of the type presented. Most often on sale you can find birch, larch, pine, aspen or spruce, the process of staining which lasted 30 years. The cost of the material, depending on the variety, can range from 2.5 to 25 thousand rubles. per cube m
Not everyone has the opportunity to apply such material. Therefore, the wood is processed artificially.
Buy or make stained wood?
In the modern world, a cheaper option is very popular. This is an artificially stained tree. The material is treated with special compounds, emphasizing the beauty of the texture.
Selling stained wood, which was artificially processed, is ubiquitous. This material is widely used in the furniture industry, in the decoration of floors, walls or ceilings. Various building structures and parts are made of this tree.
The cost of artificial material is much less. But it should be remembered that unscrupulous distributors with the help of stains can sell cheap varieties of wood under the guise of expensive varieties. It is sometimes quite difficult to determine what type of material is presented to the consumer without examination. Therefore, wanting to use artificially stained wood, it is better to do the processing yourself.
Stain Properties
Artificial materials allow you to create a product such as stained wood. With your own hands, almost everyone can impregnate. It is necessary before that to study the properties of tinting and the technology of its application.
Special chemical compositions are applied to the prepared surface. They are absorbed by the wood, which allows to preserve its unique structure. First of all, the presented impregnations are designed to ennoble a natural tree.
Using one or more shades, you can create a beautiful interior decoration. This turns parquet, furniture facades into a real work of art. Some varieties of stains extend the life of the material, protecting it from insects, fungi. Such chemicals prevent the formation of rotting wood. Therefore, their use is beneficial in all respects.
Water-based stain
Stained wood, the extraction and processing of which is very expensive, is used in high-end construction. Most often, the materials on the market today are treated with water, alcohol, oil, wax or acrylic based formulations.
The first variety is actively used in self-processing of wood. Water stain is dry and ready. In the first case, the powder is mixed with water in the required proportion.
Presented stains are somewhat difficult to use. They lift the fibers of wood. To achieve a uniform shade, you need a lot of time. First, the starting material is impregnated with water. Next, the surface is sanded. This makes the wood resistant to the negative effects of moisture. This type of wood stain allows you to emphasize the texture of wood.
Alcohol stain
An alcohol-based stain differs from the previous variety in drying speed. It does not raise the wood fibers, which eliminates the swelling of the base. Alcohol stain is characterized by good antiseptic properties. But due to the high drying rate, a heterogeneous shade and even spots may appear on the surface.
Therefore, when creating, for example, parquet from stained wood, it is worth giving preference to other varieties of chemicals. Alcohol stain is used for small wooden parts. In this case, the impregnation lies flat, no spots will appear.
Organic dyes and pigments on small surfaces look pretty good. Thanks to this treatment, wood will be durable in operation. Apply alcohol stain exclusively with a spray. A brush is not acceptable in this case.
Oil stain
Another popular chemical impregnation is oil stain. It has several advantages. Dyes are dissolved in oil or oil. This type of impregnation has a wide range of shades.
Furniture made of stained wood treated with similar means is very beautiful and durable. When impregnated, fibers are not taken, and the product lays down fairly evenly even on large areas.
This type of stain is less demanding on the method of application. Even a person with minimal experience in carrying out work of the type presented can use it. After processing, the products are quite simply repainted, restored. When working with a solvent, widely available white spirit can be used.
Wax, acrylic stains
In the modern world, stained wood is processed to the highest standards and requirements. The most environmentally friendly and fireproof substances for tinting the material are wax and acrylic stains. They do not emit an unpleasant odor, are easily applied to the base. They are used in a variety of industries.
Acrylic impregnations can be mixed to obtain finer tinting colors. This quality is widely used to create parquet or furniture. Even applying the product in 2 layers, it will turn out to create a monotonous shade without spots or lines.
Wax stains are applied to the base with a soft cloth. The tool is rubbed on the surface. When using this type of tinting, it should be remembered that it is incompatible with acid curing varnish or polyurethane coatings. Wax stains look very good after polishing. Therefore, they are actively used in the woodworking industry.
Methods for applying stains
Stained wood is obtained through the use of one of the 4 techniques below. The product can be applied using grinding, spraying, as well as using a roller or brush.
The first method is suitable for porous wood species. The tool is rubbed on the surface. In this case, a slowly drying stain is used. Spraying is carried out using a spray gun. The tool is evenly distributed over the base.
Brush tinting is not applicable to all wood species. The color is more saturated. For small parts, apply the stain with a roller. This approach allows for uniform color. But this method is still better to use for small surface areas. The method of application must be chosen in accordance with the type of product.
Processing Recommendations
Stained wood requires adherence when creating a special technology. This allows even at home to create high-quality material for further use. Experts recommend applying a stain in 2-3 layers using the most suitable method.
The first layer should be thin. When it dries completely, the base is sanded. The product is applied strictly in the direction of the wood fibers. After all the layers are created and dried, the surface is rubbed with a sponge, polished with a soft cloth. Movements are made along the fibers or diagonally.
If you need to process a large area, it is divided into sections, each of which is treated separately. The layers should dry completely one after another. Depending on the type of base of the product, this process can take from several hours to several days.
If the product is very thick, it can be diluted. Water-based stains in this case require water, respectively, and oil stains require a solvent.
Elimination of defects
Properly processed stained wood looks exquisite. But for novice masters in the process of applying the product, certain problems may arise. It is quite difficult to eliminate defects after drying. In this case, the upper layer of material is mechanically removed.
If streaks appear during processing, then too much substance has been applied. It should be removed. To do this, apply a second layer of the product, and with a rag, the excess product is eliminated.
To prevent stains from forming on the wood during work, it is necessary to check the application of the product to an unnecessary piece of this material. If the layer lays unevenly, it is necessary to choose another stain. It will be thicker and dries more slowly.
Choosing the right wood stain, taking into account the advice of experts in the process, you can get high quality material.