Wood Stain vs Varnish

[AlistairM]

Hi

I was reading with some interest the merits of applying woodstain instead of varnish, in a PBO article recently. I was wondering if this had been used by anyone and what sort of result they had. My biggest gripe with varnish is that its seems to be a devil to hack off once it needs replacing, and the implication in the article was with wood stain one can simply reapply over the top when required.

Im only thinking of using it on things like the rubbing strake of my dinghy, nothing too "volumous".

Has anyone any comment?

Thanks

 

[Mirror Painter]

Yes. On my very humble cabin cruiser on the Thames I have used wood stain in a couple of places. It looks fine. It does not look as beautiful as varnish which is why I shall this year rub down my louvered doors and bulkhead for re-varnishing. If it ever stops raining.

 

[Rossynant]

To be exact (but I'm not English speaker) wood stain is pigment, or dye. Regardless of what vehicle it's dissolved in, it can be in water, as well as in poly varnish in fact. So depends what you have in mind...
If it's stained oil - indeed, much easier to maintain and better for wood preservation. Varnish is for looks, oil is for protection. All my woods got treated with oil (not stained) before the winter - including varnished ones...

Then it still depends whether this "stain" is oil only, or has something more in, like resin. Oil just needs to be painted on again every few months, or when surface looks weathered - one coat, easily made, normally no sanding or such necessary, perhaps some rubbing the dirt off.
Preparations with resins may need to be sanded or washed off a bit. But still much easier then varnish.

 

[Tranona]

Hi

I was reading with some interest the merits of applying woodstain instead of varnish, in a PBO article recently. I was wondering if this had been used by anyone and what sort of result they had. My biggest gripe with varnish is that its seems to be a devil to hack off once it needs replacing, and the implication in the article was with wood stain one can simply reapply over the top when required.

Im only thinking of using it on things like the rubbing strake of my dinghy, nothing too "volumous".

Has anyone any comment?

Thanks

A good choice. I have been using Sikkens for 15 years. Big advantages are low cost, easy application, easy touch up and long life. They are porous so don't flake but gradually erode. If I were starting from scratch I would use the new International Woodskin which is a single pot and gives a good sheen finish and not heavily pigmented so the grain shows through. The only downside is that you can't get a high gloss, but who needs that on a functional rubbing strake?

 

[Amulet]

Depends on the wood. Timbers are classified on the basis of their durability. This means whether or not they'll rot in wet conditions if not sealed. A highly durable wood like teak will last for ever without any coating. Ash, on the other hand, will go black ad rotten very quickly if not sealed. Staining is not a substitute for varnish. It colours but will not seal. So if your rubbing strake is made of a durable wood it should be OK. If not, you have no option to keep it sealed with varnish/paint.

 

[ffiill]

I use Sandolin-I have tried Band Qs etc but the colours are not that great although its durability is OK.
The problem with a varnished surface is once a break occurs the wood stains underneath and in my experience the staining tends to be quite deep such that no amount of sanding gets rid of it.