Dyes and pigments adds rich colour while preserving and enhancing features of the wood grain. Staining is an alternative treatment for clean untreated wood such as solid wood or veneer, plywood and sometimes even fibre board such as MDF.
Considerable skill is required to select the appropriate stain and pigment; colour matching is done by hand, as is the preparation of the material and application of the stain.
I use water based stains for a natural or an antique finish and this is hand painted. Solvent based stains are used for
Stained finishes are often sealed with a clear spray coating such as polyurethane, or French polish for a prestige finish to traditional furniture.
