Staining wood - which stain?

[lesweeks]

My cabin coamings, from which I'm stripping a thick ugly epoxy coating, are a very pale mahogany and I'd like to make the colour a little richer before appying varnish. I've got my varnish (Le Tonks) so I don't want to apply a varnish which contains a stain (I hear they're a bit 'muddy' anyway) so I'm looking for a stain that goes on first.

I've only ever used spirit stain in the past (on furniture) - Coloron I think - but I wonder if there's any alternatives that you folk might recommend.

I'd also appreciate some advice on how to best apply the stain to achieve an even effect - rag, brush sponge etc.

 

[Poignard]

I have used Van Dyck crystals dissolved in water to stain furniture and it produces a beautiful result on mahogany, much richer than Colron stains etc., but I have never tried it on a boat so I don't know how well it would stand up to being exposed to sunlight. Obviously the wood must be well-varnished to protect the stained timber but that would apply whatever kind of stain you used.

If you 'Google van Dyck crystals' you can find plentyof information about it.

 

[Seanick]

Since we have run out of interstain we now use Blackfriers Mahogany from Brewers.
Dispo gloves and brush it on, rag of a few mins later. Looks quite natural and stops the blonding.
Downside-on toerails and rubbing strakes it takes a bit longer to touch up as you have to restain locally.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Van Dyck crystals

Van Dyck crystals do make a good rich colour but the are not uv resistant, and will quickly fade . Lot of things go on in with the colour of wood . uv fades , and oxidisation causes darkening , so micro porous finishes can darken the wood under a bit. uv can cause patches where light hits direct .. Anyway I digress..

I recommend rustins better than colron much richer colours they tend to dry a bit faster not much, but a bit more thoroughly

http://www.rustins.eu/Details.asp?ProductID=817

 

[fergie_mac66]

Since we have run out of interstain we now use Blackfriers Mahogany from Brewers.
Dispo gloves and brush it on, rag of a few mins later. Looks quite natural and stops the blonding.
Downside-on toerails and rubbing strakes it takes a bit longer to touch up as you have to restain locally.

Agree they are better than colron aswell

 

[oldfrank]

Interstain Mahogany stain is by far the best. The good news is that whilst it's no longer available in the UK, it's readily available from continental chandlers over the internet. My last three cans came in from a German chandler on the Baltic coast, quickly and easily. Damn silly - they make the stuff here.

 

[Madhatter]

It appears to be available in UK priced in euros
http://www.europamarinepaints.com/mahogany-batbetsinterstain-wood-stain-p-138.html

Europa International Marine Paints
Corner Farm Cottages
Fen Lane
Essex
RM14 3RB

 

[lesweeks]

It appears to be available in UK priced in euros
http://www.europamarinepaints.com/mahogany-batbetsinterstain-wood-stain-p-138.html

Europa International Marine Paints
Corner Farm Cottages
Fen Lane
Essex
RM14 3RB

Sounds very promising - except that there's a minimum order of 6 tins and I guess I'll need less than 500ml!

 

[Madhatter]

I guess we will all have to club together then, if any takers let us know .

 

[sammie]

grainraising

vandyk crystals are not colour fast, best bet is to go with the rustins apply by brush and cloth, this is a non grain raising stain and will dry on a good day in a couple of hours

 

[Romeo]

According to Boris Johnson, Rhubarb juice is what you need to give your wood a rosy hue. So he said when opening the rhubarb rubbed velodrome for the London Olympics.

Anyone tried this?

 

[Madhatter]

We have promised orders of 4 tins so far ,any other takers ???

 

[Madhatter]

bump !

Come on you lot !

 

[SHUG]

You could use Sikkens oil-varnish -stain.Gives good colour and a long lasting finish.
For example....http://tinyurl.com/65w5k88

 

[lesweeks]

Perhaps if Nick is still casting his eye over these posts he could describe his method of applying Interstain. Brush, rag or sponge.
oops, bump, excuse me!