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Our Favorite Wood Stains

From one-coat options to planted-friendly stains that protect the furniture and your loved ones
Woodstain
Wood stains come in far more colors than brown. Be adventurous. Pixabay

There is nothing quite like the rich slub and texture of natural wood grains. The classic look of natural wood makes a piece of furniture stand out or elevates an entire set of cabinets. While wood grains are artistic and beautiful, they’re also fragile and easily damaged. Enter the work of wood stains.

Instead of covering your wood furnishings, fencing, or deck with ordinary paint, try staining it instead with one of these products to preserve its integrity as well as its natural aesthetic.

Ready Seal 515 5-Gallon Pail Pecan Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

So easy

No primer is necessary, just apply and let it dry. It can be applied with a sprayer, roller, or brush, and requires no back brushing. Ready Seal 515

This stain and sealer provides the ultimate in convenience and beauty. It doesn’t leave runs, laps, or streaks, so you don’t have to be a professional to apply it. You’ll see the truest color in about 14 days. Works best when two coats are applied at least 45 minutes apart, and will fully dry in 48-72 hours. This easy application stain and sealer is available in a variety of shades.

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Minwax 66010000 Gel Stain, quart, Chestnut

No-drip choice

The proprietary formula makes it easy to apply for a smooth and consistent finish, even on tricky vertical surfaces. Minwax 66010000

Minwax Gel Stain is a smart buy for wood, plywood, and even for other surfaces such as fiberglass and metal. Minwax is specifically designed to give you full control over the staining process to achieve the stunning finish you desire. It comes in chestnut but is also available in a number of other choices to blend naturally into your space.

Rubio Monocoat Wood Stain Oil Plus 2C Pure (Clear) with Free Green Supply Application Blade 350 ml

Colors and protects

Advanced molecular bonding provides a beautiful finish to protect your wood from water, heat, and daily wear with just one application. Rubio Monocoat

This is a hard wax oil wood protector engineered to be effective with one layer of coating. This is a nice feature because it saves on both product and labor. It’s made with linseed oil to achieve a natural finish. The stain is fast curing and is 80 percent achieved in just 2 days. This product doesn’t contain any solvents, and with 55 shades to offer, you’ll want to find more projects around the house and yard to stain.

Varathane 269400 Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain, Half Pint, Ebony

For special projects

It’s easy to use and available in 26 trending colors. Varathane 269400

Perfect for smaller, interior projects, Varathane dries in just one hour. Your wood furniture, doors, trim, paneling, cabinets, and more, will stand out as the Varathane stain enriches and highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain. It’s made to penetrate deeply to seal wood pores while it stains. Use it to bring out the beauty of an old wardrobe or a great antique find.

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SamaN TEW-212-12, Antique Walnut, Interior Water Based Stain for Fine Wood, 12 oz, 12 Fluid Ounces

Safe for people, pets, and earth

It can also be effectively applied with just one coat, without raising the grain on the wood or leaving overlapping marks. SamaN TEW-212-12

SamaN water-based stains are a great choice for all types of interior woodwork. The water-based formula is non-flammable and odorless and perfectly stabilized. While it’s available in a variety of colors, it’s similar to watercolor paints in that it can be blended with other colors to create an infinite variety of looks. Water-based stains maintain color quality longer and dry more quickly than their oil-based counterparts. The water-based stain is also considered more environmentally friendly and cleans easily with soap and water.

Keith Long is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. Keith loves sailing and exploring the islands of the Caribbean.

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