Woodstain/varnish advice

[Carole]

We are now in the process of having the doors put on (mexicana) and they look lovely but we need to decide what to finish them with.

We are both useless at this sort of thing but basically we like the doors the way they are. We know they need to be protected but what is the difference between woodstain and polyurethane varnish?

We dont want a high gloss so know we need matt or satin, but the polyurethne varnish also has something called clear satin. Is this a shiny satin?

Should we just go for a clear woodstain? Does this protect as well as stain the door?

I have the Johnstones pamphlet in front of me, Steve has gone out and left me to it and I need to decide tonight.

I am so confused, I like a matt look not shiny, but what is satin?

Help.............please.

 

[Gramaisc]

Satin is halfway between gloss and matt - not shiny, but easier to clean than matt can be.

Stain implies that it carries some colour in it -I generally feel that, if you must colour the wood, then it's best to dye it then use a clear varnish.

 

[Carole]

I dont want to colour the wood, I like it the way it is.

Does Polyurethane make the wood shiny? There is a polyuerthane clear satin which to me sounds like a contradiction.

 

[darben]

I wouldn't varnish it I would use a wood oil,such as plain Danish oil or a teak oil, it nourishes the wood, and gives it a lovely glow with a water proof finish.

 

[Carole]

Thanks

There are 15 internal doors, is a wood oil mainly for outside doors or internal also?

Might a clear woodstain work?

 

[Gramaisc]

I wouldn't varnish it I would use a wood oil,such as plain Danish oil or a teak oil, it nourishes the wood, and gives it a lovely glow with a water proof finish.

Danish Oil will give a nice finish. Ideal for internal doors - a slight darkening of the wood ( anything will do that ) and a pleasant soft sheen, easily re-applied every now and then, too, to freshen things up..

http://danish-oil.com/

 

[darben]

You can use it indoors and outdoors, you need to re-apply it more frequently on an outside wooden surfaces.

I'm pretty sure Danish oil can also be used like a primer. So if you wanted to paint or varnish outside after you shouldn't have an issue.

I've used Danish oil over floorboards and doors, you need a few coats for it to a proper job but its mush easier to apply than varnish.

 

[darben]

Good point about the slight colour , be really careful with the label some Danish oils have a stain in them. There are various oils on the market, like anything do a patch test before you make a final decision.

 

[darben]

If I had to go for a varnish I'd pick a yacht varnish.

 

[Carole]

I really dont want anything that darkens the wood.

To simplify.

I want the door to look exactly as it does now. But protected.

Would that be a matt woodstain?

I dont want to complicate things. They are just doors in the house at the end of the day.

 

[darben]

It won't darken the wood very much it'll give it a slighter warmer effect, like Gramaisc said anything you apply is going to alter it slightly. Totally personal taste but I've got some floorboards that I haven't treated and I much prefer the treated ones, just gives a much cosier feel and shows off the beauty of the wood.

I'm not familiar with matt wood stain, without investigating it sounds like wood oil in disguise, well worth researching if this is the route you are heading down.

I really recommend you test patch before you make any decision, it's a big decision and worth spending a couple of extra days over if your not sure.

 

[Gramaisc]

I really dont want anything that darkens the wood.

Would that be a matt woodstain?

Clear matt varnish.

..though you may prefer the 'satin' finish..

 

[darben]

Just looked up those style of doors, they are really nice. I definitely wouldn't be putting any shiny varnish on them.

 

[Gramaisc]

Just looked up those style of doors, they are really nice. I definitely wouldn't be putting any shiny varnish on them.

These?

..they would be nice with an oiled finish..

 

[Bob]

You could just wax them.

 

[Gramaisc]

You could just wax them.

Bri-Wax and a pine brush on a drill.

Wax available in various hues - clear through light to quite dark.

 

[Carole]

These?

..they would be nice with an oiled finish..

Yes it's these.

Some are on and we decided to go for Satin Woodstain clear.

4 doors have been varnished/finished today and it has darkened them ever so slightly but overall we love the result.

 

[Carole]

Isn't this forum wonderful sometimes?

 

[Gramaisc]

4 doors have been varnished/finished today and it has darkened them ever so slightly but overall we love the result.

Any finish will darken wood slightly, however clear it is, but wood would darken slightly with age anyway, even if you leave it unfinished.