Water based wood stain/varnish

Cacran

I have just tried to renovate an Ercol chair by sanding down and using a water based wood stain/varnish. The result is awful. Would I have been better just using stain and wax?

Horseygirl123

Do you mean those all-in-one stain and varnish? If so I think the results are hideous - nothing more than paint.

I like doing up old furniture and particularly like experimenting with wood dyes. There are no short cuts though which is what these all-in-one products are. I usually use Colron wood dyes, sometimes shellac sealer and then various varnishes.

keystone

Cacran wrote: »

I have just tried to renovate an Ercol chair by sanding down and using a water based wood stain/varnish. The result is awful. Would I have been better just using stain and wax?

Varnish needs to be applied in several very thin coats. If you've tried to do it in one that might be the reason it looks carp.

Cheers

keystone

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

Do you mean those all-in-one stain and varnish? If so I think the results are hideous - nothing more than paint.

Varnish is paint without any pigment.

Cheers

Cacran

Yes Horseygirl, It was one of those all in one. It was so cloggy and as you say, just like paint. (only worse!!!)
I wanted to achieve a natural look but a bit darker than the actual blonde wood that the chairs are now.
What is Shellac? I have used wood stain , as you do, in the past, topped with varnish, but that was in the days before eco friendly products.:beer:

cyclonebri1

keystone wrote: »

Varnish is paint without any pigment.

Cheers

No, that's the problem, coloured varnishes or all in one varnishes are clear with pigment, any runs. overlaps change the colour.

Far better to stain, get the right shade then apply clear.

SUESMITH_2

coloron wood dye and then a few coats of wax well buffed gives a nice finish.

can you get the new finish off? shellac is lovely but takes a bit of work, the trick is, like others have said many thin coats.

good luck sorting it out

Cacran

What sort of wax do you need to use, Sue? Will ordinary clear furniture polish do (the sort in a round tin and applied with a cloth?):beer:

Cacran

My next question is what is the best stripper to use?

SUESMITH_2

Cacran wrote: »

What sort of wax do you need to use, Sue? Will ordinary clear furniture polish do (the sort in a round tin and applied with a cloth?):beer:

i used to use briwax http://www.briwax.co.uk/index.html

GT60

I was advised to use "Ronseal water based varnish in satin finish", for my pine draws after i had sanded them down.
if this is any help