FAQs & Help Centre
Water Based Wood Stain
Our wood stains are designed to penetrate wood in its bare, raw or sanded state. Any surfaces which already have a finish applied will need to be sanded back before application.
Our wood stains are suitable for applying to a kitchen worktop. We would recommend finishing with our Worktop Oil or Titan Topcoat.
If you need to use filler on your wood, the best type to use is white powder interior filler. Please avoid using any solvent based or ready mixed fillers as water based wood stains will not penetrate this.
The coverage for each wood stain is:
Traditional Wood Colours - 10-12m² per litre (interior & exterior versions)
Pastel Colours - 10-12m² per litre (interior & exterior versions)
Shades of Grey - 8-10m² per litre
Driftwood Collection - 8-10m² per litre
Woodland Colours - 8-10m² per litre
We recommend applying the stain quite liberally with a good quality brush along the grain. However, certain colours will require a light second coat to deepen the shade. This coverage is based on one liberal coat.
Yes, as our stains are water based they can be watered down up to 50%. We recommend starting with 10% first and gradually increasing if needed. Always produce a test piece first so you ensure you get the finish that you want to achieve.
No, it is not necessary to apply anything to the wood prior to staining. Please make sure the wood is in its raw sanded state - as our wood stains are formulated to penetrate the wood.
Yes, our stain is non-toxic and food, pet and child safe when dry.
Please send us an email at hello@woodfinishingproducts.com, with the details and photos that you'd like colour matching and we will ensure to get it as closely matched as possible to the colour you require!
The stain should be touch dry in 30 minutes. We recommend waiting at least 2-3 hours between coats.
Water based wood stains can have a tendency to raise the grain. To manage this, you can dampen the wood with a sponge or cloth first. Once dried, sand the raised grain lightly before applying the stain.
Our wood stains have a matt appearance.
Yes, we have 15ml Tester Pots available in all our wood stains.
All of the collections suitable for outdoor use can be found here - Outdoor Wood Stain.
Our Outdoor Wood Stains can all be applied outside. They are protective and allow the wood to breathe. For any horizontal surfaces, such as furniture or decking, we recommend finishing with our Decking Oil Plus as an extra layer against wear and tear.
Both our Danish Oil and Titan Topcoat can also be used outdoors if required.
Water Based Varnish
Yes, the varnish is a Polyurethane Acrylic dispersion.
The varnish is highly resistant to water providing the moisture doesn't get underneath, usually within the joints if the floor is tongue and groove. Also do not allow standing water or liquids on the varnish for prolonged periods.
We recommend three coats for a good finish. With a pre-coat of varnish watered down by 20%.
The varnish will be touch dry after 20 minutes but you should wait 2-3 hours between coats depending on conditions. On a floor, for example, we recommend coating it with three coats in one day, following staining with our water based dye.
The coverage is approximately 10-12 square metres per litre.
No, we'd recommend using our Worktop Oil instead of varnish on a worktop. Whilst waterproof, the varnish isn't designed to have water sitting on it for long periods, which would happen after each wipe down of the worktop. Or alternatively you can use our Titan Topcoat.
Yes, this varnish has been used for this purpose by a few of our customers.
Yes, we would recommend adding a little cold water into the spray gun for the first coat, up to 20%. The spray gun will need cleaning straight away after each use and thoroughly flushed with cold water.
No, our varnish is water based and doesn't contain the natural resins which cause the yellowing in solvent based varnishes. One major advantage of water based varnishes such as ours is the non-yellowing factor.
No, this varnish can also be applied to solvent based stains and paints once fully dried and cured. However, please perform a test piece first to assess compatibility.
Yes, once fully dried. However, please perform a test piece first to assess compatibility.
This is a water based varnish so it is thin, but offers excellent protection and is easy to apply.
This varnish is a sealant, designed to finish the wood dye.
Yes, once dry, the varnish is safe on toys.
This water based varnish is designed for internal use only. Please look at our Titan Topcoat as an alternative.
Yes, the varnish is ideal for that.
Go gently with a good brush for the first coat which you can dilute with approximately 20% water.
This coat will seal everything up and make subsequent coats very easy to apply.
After 2-3 full coats lightly sand if necessary with 240 grit or smoother.
The black ‘wet n’ dry’ abrasive works best.
A final coat after sanding will create a great finish.
No our Extra Strong Varnish is not recommended for metal, as it is water based it will just run off the metal.
Yes, matt can be applied over the gloss.
Whilst the varnish itself has a very low odour and it will 'seal' the wood, we can't guarantee that any strong smells coming from the wood itself will be masked.
Our Extra Strong Matt Varnish would certainly protect the wallpaper. However, it would create a slight sheen which may not be desirable, it’s advisable to do a test piece where possible to ensure you like the outcome.
Our varnish is heat resistant, however, we would recommend our Titan Topcoat to withstand heat better. We would recommend 3 coats of our Titan Topcoat for a hard wearing finish that is also waterproof and heatproof.
The spray gun would need cleaning straight away after use and thoroughly flushed with cold water.
Varnishes will always change the final appearance of a colour to some extent – however our matt varnishes will have a lesser effect on the colour.
Yes, we have our Titan Topcoat. Our Titan Topcoat has a clear matt, satin or gloss finish and is a multipurpose, tough but flexible waterproof coating. It is a water based varnish for indoor and outdoor use. If you'd like to read more about Titan Topcoat you can do so here.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
Dilute the first coat of varnish with about 20% cold water as a base coat. Then build up the varnish over the dye, say two coats. Before what you think will be the final coat, lightly sand with 240 grit ‘wet n’ dry’ type of abrasive, which works well, the 240 grit before the final coat is just a case of gliding over to remove any roughness before the final coat.
We do have a number of customers that spray our varnish. Generally, I believe they use a medium nozzle from around 6-8 inches. The varnish can be diluted with 20% cold water to slow it down. Shouldn’t need to be filtered, but probably a good idea if the container has been opened earlier.
Yes the varnish can be applied with a small foam roller or a good quality brush. You could dilute the varnish etc. I often dilute the first brush coat to create a thinner base coat (by watering down by 20%). Then when applying the first full coat it’s easier to spread, dries a little slower and goes further.
Wax Polish
Yes, the polish can be used directly onto raw wood or as a maintenance product for finished items. We prefer to add a depth of background colour to the wood first with one of our wood dyes.
Yes, the wax can be applied to a previously waxed surface. It might be a good idea to gently sand/clean the surface with white spirit first.
Yes, it is advisable to buff the wax between coats. The wax can be applied with a good quality brush and cotton cloth. The brush helps to push the wax into any corners or detailed aspects, the cotton cloth can be used to flatten down the wax to avoid any dry streaks or brush marks. A clean cotton cloth can be used to buff the wax in between coats and buffing the final coat. It usually takes three applications to create an even sheen. A shoe brush can also be useful for buffing flat surfaces along the grain of the wood.
Any spillages must be cleaned as soon as possible with a cool, damp cloth. Do not use any products with chemicals in. You can also wipe with a small amount of white spirit (to soften the wax), then wipe over with a clean cloth and then this can be re-waxed or buffed.
The approx. coverage of our wax polish is 10m² per litre, for one liberal coat.
This product would be perfect for spindles and bannisters, but we would not recommend for the stair treads. Please use our Floor Fast Varnish instead.
You could use some white spirit to clean the brush after use.
The wax has been applied a little too thick. I would wipe it back a little with white spirit, then buff it with a cotton cloth and a good quality shoe brush along the grain.
Yes, 6 months sounds about right, and the previous coat can be buffed as required in between.
Both really, but the aim was for them to enhance the wood dyes. Antique Brown is the darkest one and will add more colour to bare wood, the others are intentionally lighter so as not to darken the dyes too much.
Our Wax Polish is suitable for furniture such as: doors, tables, bed headboards, if you want a soft finish. Our wax is also recommended for bannisters; and if there is a large amount of spindles (recommended 2 coats). You can also buff the bannister with a shoe brush buffer.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
Yes, this will be ok and can be maintained with the wax occasionally.
We wouldn’t recommend our wax polish for use on worktops as it's not robust enough.
Superior Oils
The coverage of our Worktop Oil is 12m² per litre, this is based on one liberal coat.
Yes,
you will need to add more coats over time as the board is continually washed.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
Our Worktop Oil is food safe and should be applied thinly and built up with several coats. To clean, use warm water, a little washing up liquid and a cloth, avoiding abrasive or chemical cleaning products. A previously oiled surface could be cleaned with White Spirit before further oiling.
If maintaining a previously oiled worktop, best practise would be to sand back very lightly, remove dust and clean with white spirit, before reapplying a thin coat of oil.
Yes, this can be used over any of our Exterior or Universal wood dyes on outdoor projects.
Yes, you can either use our Decking Oil Plus or Danish Oil. Both of these oils can be used outdoors and provide a non-toxic finish once dry.
Our Decking Oil Plus will dry clear and matt.
It is ok to apply our Decking Oil Plus on the majority of woods. However, it is not recommended to apply this oil to high tannin hardwoods
This isn't the Decking Oil Plus that has caused the bubbling effect on your wood. This is just the resin that is in the wood. Whilst this is extremely rare, it can be rectified by scraping the oil when hardened and cleaning off using white spirit. Once dry you can reapply a further oil.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
Yes, this oil is a blend of tung and linseed oil.
No, there isn't an added UV protection within the oil itself, but it does has a natural light reflective quality to it. An alternative may be the Superior Decking Oil which does contain a UV protection.
Initially the Danish Oil will dry clear, however, as it contains linseed it can turn a little orange over time. The orange tint is mild at first and goes more 'orange' naturally over time. This would be more noticeable on a lighter background, including the pastels and greys as well as pine wood. Whilst, this isn't a major issue, it is something to be aware of.
Also, the orange tint would have the same effect on the variety of woods as it is the oil that has the orange tint. However, the end result will be different as this is always a combination of the type of wood, dye, and finish product used. all of the products that have been used.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
As it is oiled already it would need to be a solvent-based product. It could be wax polished so that any marks or scratches could be buffed out with a little more wax.
The coverage of our Danish Oil is 12m² per litre, this is based on one liberal coat.
Yes, when dry our Danish Oil is food safe.
Yes, when dry our Danish Oil is toy safe.
Water Based Topcoat
Titan Topcoat is a water based varnish that can be used both indoors and outdoors. It has a clear matt, satin or gloss finish and is quick drying, non-yellowing and waterproof.
It can be applied to most types of wood and sheet materials, such as plywood and MDF. In addition to this, Titan Topcoat will bond to many other surfaces including masonry, concrete, terracotta, metal and laminates.
If you're looking for a hard wearing finish that needs to be waterproofed and hygienic such as bathroom and kitchen floors, cafes and bars, laminate floors and outdoor furniture, then we'd 100% recommend our Titan Topcoat, to provide the hard wearing finish that you require.
Titan Topcoat will be touch dry in around 30 minutes and can be re-coated after 2-3 hours in suitable conditions.
The coverage is approximately 12 square metres per litre, for one coat.
Yes, Titan Topcoat has effective UV protection against solar radiation.
Titan Topcoat does not contain any biocidal ingredients. Whilst biocides are useful for controlling harmful microorganisms, they can also be toxic to humans, animals and plants.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
Flooring Products
Yes, our Floor Fast Varnish would be suitable for stair treads.
Yes, as long as there is no existing varnish, oil or wax on there. The varnish is designed to be applied over our water based floor dye, or can be applied directly to the bare pine.
You can use the pre-conditioner with many of our wood dyes, however Our Pre-Conditioner is not recommended for use with our African Ebony, Seawashed White or Driftwood Grey or Driftwood Brown.
Our Pre-Conditioner can be applied with a good quality brush, applicator pad, roller or spray.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
When applying wood dye to particularly softwoods such as pine, or light coloured hardwoods it can sometimes appear ‘blotchy’ or ‘patchy’. The pre-conditioner will slightly seal the wood allowing the dye to penetrate more evenly. It will also improve the clarity of the grain and details in the wood, however it is not essential when a more rustic appearance is desired.
Projects
We would recommend using our Danish Oil followed by our Medium Brown Wax.
Our Titan Topcoat is highly stain and heat resistant and can be applied very much in the same way as a varnish. For open fires, multi-fuel burners and other heating appliances please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding safe distances of surrounding items.
Our wood dyes are formulated to penetrate the wood so it is important to completely sand the table back to the raw wood state, to a point where you're creating fine dust. After sanding, please avoid the use of white spirit to clean the table, it is recommended to just vacuum off the dust and wipe it over with a damp cloth.
If you wish to create an aged appearance for your project then we would recommend using our Antique Stripped Pine or Dark Pine colours, as these will achieve that appearance.
A good finish for a coffee table after staining is the Superior Worktop Oil. The oil will seal in the colour and is very resistant to spillages. We'd recommend applying several thin coats of oil, as this should be sufficient enough to protect the surface and retain a natural appearance. You could then apply a wax polish over the oil to produce a soft sheen. The table can then be maintained by further wax polishing occasionally.
We always recommend producing a tester piece first. The dyes will appear quite dull when dry - but will show their true colour when oiled, waxed or varnished. If you would prefer a varnished finish then any varnish will be ok.The dye works by penetrating the wood when it's in the raw sanded state. If the thresholds are just lacquered and have a natural light oak colour you could just give them a gentle sanding and re-finish with a similar lacquer/varnish.
We'd recommend our Superior Danish Oil as this will penetrate the oak and maintain a natural appearance. You may find that a few light coats of the oil will waterproof it sufficiently. We would recommend to treat all faces and edges with the oil before fixing to prevent moisture from 'sneaking up' on the finish from behind. The oil will also act as a primer for any solvent based topcoat. Please produce a tester piece and see how it looks.
Yes, we'd recommend our water based wood dye but the wood needs to be in the raw wood state, to allow the dye to penetrate the wood. The dye can then be finished with our Danish Oil, which is non-toxic. The oil will penetrate the boards, lock in the colour and is very water resistant.
Please allow at least one day before varnishing the floor. We would recommend at least three coats of varnish, with a watered down pre-coat, after using our wood dye. You should be able to achieve this in one day, leaving 2-3 hours between each coat. You will be able to walk on it the same day.
A 250ml would probably be enough liquid for one coat. However, some of our darker colours require a couple of coats so you might be better off with a 500ml.
Yes, the products are safe for pets once dry. Our Exterior and Universal Wood Dyes can be used outside, providing they can penetrate the wood. We recommend protecting the colour with either our Danish Oil, Decking Oil Plus or Titan Topcoat as these can be used on exterior wood. Our Extra Strong Varnishes are for interior use only.
Our wood dyes are formulated to penetrate the wood in its raw sanded state. For use on exterior wood you would need to use our Exterior or Universal Water Based Wood Dyes. We would recommend finishing the dye with either our Danish Oil or Decking Oil Plus, these are both food and toy safe (when dry) and will highly waterproof the wood.
Yes, absolutely.
Our Driftwood Grey or Driftwood Brown would do it. You will get a more uniform colour though, than you would on new pine.
However, you could consider any of our other colours which are all available as permanent, exterior, penetrating wood dyes. No further finishing for our exterior dyes is necessary, however We do recommend to coat them with our Superior Decking Oil Plus to make them last for decades and provide the dye with further protection.
We’d recommend our Worktop Oil as it is food safe, quick drying and excellent for waterproofing our wood dyes.
We would recommend any of our exterior and universal dyes. We also recommend sealing and protecting it afterwards with our Decking Oil Plus.
A small brush is recommended and to use less dye on the brush when applying the dye; 2 thin coats are recommended rather than 1 liberal coat. Further coats can be applied to deepen the shade.
Bamboo might have a natural waxy coating on its surface which will resist a penetrating water based wood dye. An alternative might be to try one of our exterior colours. However, we suspect that thoroughly scrubbing the bamboo with a strong solvent first would help. Please always produce a tester piece first!
Initially the Danish Oil will dry clear, however, as it contains linseed it can turn a little orange over time. This would be more noticeable on a lighter background, including the pastels and greys. Whilst, this isn't a major issue, it is something to be aware of. Therefore, we’d recommend our Titan Topcoat for superior robust protection as it is perfect for surfaces that need to be waterproofed and hygienic such as bar tables! This will also dry clear and provide a satin finish.
Yes, our varnish has a clear finish and is non-yellowing. It can be applied directly to the wood if you’d like it to look natural. However, as the varnish is water based it is important that there is no existing varnish, oil or wax on the wood as it is designed to be applied over our wood dyes or wood in its raw state.
We recommend three coats for a good finish. We have three different finishes which are: Matt, Satin and Gloss. Our Matt finish would give you the least sheen. The sheen % are: 10% matt, 30% satin and 70% gloss.
Our Titan Topcoat would be suitable for the concrete bird bath as it is hard-wearing and waterproof.
You can use either our Danish Oil or Extra Strong Varnish on a handrail, it is entirely your preference as to which one you'd like to use.
The Danish Oil will dry clear but as it contains linseed it can turn a little orange over time. This would be more noticeable on pine wood. Whilst, this isn't a major issue, it is something to be aware of. Our Extra Strong Varnish dries clear and is non-yellowing, it comes in three different finishes: Matt, Satin and Gloss. Wax Polish could then be applied for extra durability and a soft silky feel for the handrail if desired.
While we are certain that no animals have been harmed or used in our manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee the same for the suppliers of our raw materials. Without specific testing to confirm any full negative trace, we can’t warrant documentation to have a vegan friendly status.
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