Water Based Stain

Hi All,

Could somebody please recommend a water based stain to use on kauri pine? I am using shellac over the top, but need to "blend" in a new piece of timber closer to the original.

Thanks muchly as always.

Marls :confused:

G'day Marls - You'll probably do better with a turpentine based stain as they are far more readily available than the water based ones. Try wattyl colour wood or any of the commercial stains. If you can't get a colour that matches the timber get one as close as possible that is lighter than the timber then add some universal tint of the right colour to make it the same. (Universal tint is the stuff used to tint paint, it is available from all paint shops and if you ask nicely they will give you a little in a container as a sample). Your other option is to get a reasonably neutral colour like fruitwood or teak then add the tint to it till you get the colour you require.

I like to use Feast Watsons Black Japan as a base and mix the colours as needed. Adding turps to the BJ will dilute it to a light teak colour and give you more into the lighter colours adding red will give you variations on mahogany and cedar, etc, etc, etc.

Don't be afraid to experiment with mixing colours. It pays to have as many stains and different tints at your disposal as possible. Don't forget to write down what you mixed and the quantities to get the final colour, etc.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil :D