FAQ'S
WHY IS WEATHERWOOD STAINS BETTER THAN ITS COMPETITOR PRODUCTS?
Unlike competitor products:
- Weatherwood can be topcoated or sealed with Weatherwood topcoats, with minor color change!
- Weatherwood is easy to use. Application is just one step! Just wipe, spray or roll it on and watch your color appear.
- You do not need to pretreat wood or deactivate the stain once its been applied.
HOW DO I PICK MY COLOR? -OR-
HOW DO I WEATHER A SPECIFIC TYPE OF WOOD?
Weatherwood sells reactive stains that turn different colors on each wood species. The easiest way to find your specific color is to check out our chart of wood stains colors. See our color swatches by wood species for more info. (link)
CAN I PURCHASE A STAIN SAMPLE?
The smallest quantities we currently offer are quarts. Our aging stains are called active stains. Because the stains are actually a "live" product, they cannot be broken down in containers less than a quart and maintain a long shelf life.We have a sample pack of all the beautiful Weatherwood Stains available at a discount. (link.)
SELECTING A STAIN COLOR
Weatherwood Sample packs come with each wood stain color or you can buy a test quart. After you've narrowed down your wood stain colors, make sure you test them with the appropriate topcoat. A topcoat protects the color and the wood. Topcoats can alter the final color, so make sure to add your topcoat before you select your final shade! For help picking a topcoat, read more about topcoats below.
I ORDERED SEVERAL CONTAINERS OF STAIN...
If you ordered several containers of the same product we recommend combining them into a larger,plasticcontainer. This will control for batch differences and ensure the best possible result. Do not work directly from the combined product. Pour what you need into a small container and work from that, to prevent the transfer of tannins and oxygen from breaking down wood coatings. Always keep coatings tightly lidded.
HOW MUCH STAIN SHOULD I PURCHASE?
Check each product page for specific coverage. It ranges from 400-500 sq. ft. / gallon.Keep in mind wood porosity, loss, and learning curve when ordering. We recommend purchasing 10-15% extra at time of ordering, versus running out and trying to out, worrying about color matching, having to overnight more, etc.
BEST PRACTICE FOR USING REACTIVE WOOD STAINS
Make surenotto work out of an open container of stain or topcoat. Pour the amount you need into a separate container and work from that. This will prevent the transfer of tannins from wood to the stain. Do not pour any left over product back into your can, this will transfer tannins from your wood project, to your container and back into the can and the added tannins can alter the stain color in the can. Make sure the product lids are tightly affixed. This will also ensure oxygen cannot break down the stains/topcoats and maintain your product quality.
CAN I COMBINE OR MIX WEATHERWOOD REACTIVE STAIN COLORS?
Yes! Weatherwood Stains are compatible with each other and can be combined to form your own shades. We recommend mixing a very small quantity if you're a beginner, starting with a teaspoon of product at a time to establish a 50/50 mix. You can adjust the proportions from there. This eliminates waste and helps you hone in on the color. Feel free to reach out to our customer service for help achieving a difficult color. Support@WeatherwoodStains.com
CAN WEATHERWOOD STAINS BE LAYERED?
Yes! You can absolutely layer our products to achieve unique color combinations. You can see a couple examples below.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEW AND OLD WOOD ON THE SAME PROJECT?
Working on a project with old wood and new wood mixed? Wood tannins live in the wood's cells and age just like your skin does. If you're working with new and old wood, you will want to test the stains samples on several planks of both the old wood and the new wood. Testing several planks allows you to see the color variation amongst the wood tannin or the color range. Then make sure to test the maintenance oil or the topcoat that you've chosen, to see the final color.
SHELF LIFE
Unopened product will last for one year. Store products at between 50F - 80F. Store away from sunlight. When products are used and stored properly, shelf life is up to one year. Do not work directly from container. Once wood coatings products are opened, oxygen can deteriorate them, so tightly close containers.For plastic containers make sure lids "click" shut.
HOW CAN I ACHIEVE LIGHTER SHADES WHEN WORKING WITH REACTIVE STAINS?
There are 4 ways to get lighter shades when using reactive stains- some are more successful than others.Details and Photos Below:
- Apply and Wipe back off before reaction can completely occur. This is our recommended method for getting a lighter wood reaction for several reasons. This method will not affect the aging or the topcoat bond. It is much simpler to control UNLESS you're using it on preinstalled solid surface like hardwoods or wainscotting. You still have to be careful about wiping the stain off uniformly and after the same length of time piece after piece. If your project is small or is completed piecemeal, it can be accomplished successfully.
- If using high tannin wood, like oak, you can bleach the wood before applying stains. This will change the final color.
- Water down the stain. This is your most risky option and the one we least recommend. This will work unless you're using it on preinstalled solid surface like hardwoods or wainscotting. If your project is done piecemeal it can be accomplished successfully. *HOWEVER you tamper with the Weatherwood formula at your own risk. We cannot warranty products that have been tampered with.
- Using a tint suitable for water-based products. This should work, as long as the product is compatible. *HOWEVER you tamper with the Weatherwood formula at your own risk. We cannot warranty products that have been tampered with.
CAN I ADD COLORANTS OR TINTS TO WEATHERWOOD STAINS?
Weatherwood reactive wood stains are compatible with water-based pigments and powdered dyes. *HOWEVER you tamper with the Weatherwood formula at your own risk. We cannot warranty products that have been tampered with.
CAN I DILUTE OR WATER DOWN WEATHERWOOD STAINS?
Watering down the Weatherwood formula is tricky business. Seriously. It this isnotthe recommended usage and altered formulas are not guaranteed to be color consistent or top-coatable. It's possible to get some cool effects with watered down product, especially on tannin rich woods like white oak. (See examples below.) When you water down our products, it is highly likely that you will get overlap.For that reason, if you do decide to water down the product, make sure you apply the stain on wood piecemeal, one board at a time. It is not possible to water down our stains and then apply them to a installed floor. *HOWEVER you tamper with the Weatherwood formula at your own risk. We cannot warranty products that have been tampered with.
WILL REACTIVE STAINS WORK WITH WOOD FILLERS?
Reactive wood stains may react with DIY wood fillers that contain sawdust/wood chips. Just you need to make sure the filler is made from the same type of wood as is your project.Wood stains will not react with store bought "stainable" wood fillers. Those are made for typical pigment based products. Some filler have actual wood in them, those may have a slight reaction. Depending on the look you're going for, we suggest using either: a "Clear Wood Filler," a "Tint your Own Wood Filler," or a "Contrasting Color Wood Filler." We do not make wood filler and do not recommend specific brands.
DIRECTIONS SAY TO SAND TO 80 GRIT BUT I WANT A FINE SAND, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Directions recommend sanding with 80 grit to open the grain so the wood stain can penetrate and react. If you want a smoother wood you can sand with a 120 grit and then apply your stain. Once stain is thoroughly dried you can do a finish sand with 320 to smooth our any raised grain.
WHICH PRODUCT WILL AGE PINE?
Our color chart is the easiest way to see the stains on pine, side by side! [link]
WHICH PRODUCT SHOULD I USE TO GRAY OAK?
We have two stains that are commonly used to gray pine, both are compatible and result in a beautiful weathered wood look. Our color chart is the easiest way to see the stains side by side: link.
- SALVAGE: can be medium gray and brown tones. Can be layered for darker shades.
- LIGHT OAKING will result in a LIGHT, all-over gray. Can be layered for darker shades.
- DRIFTWOOD: light driftwood grays
WHAT TOPCOAT SHOULD I USE?
We recommend using Weatherwood topcoats, as they are specially formulated to control and maintain our weathered colors. Because we are oxidizing the wood and not staining it, keeping the exact stained color can be tricky, some topcoats will darken the wood. However, those looks can be beautiful, too. Find more product info -here. Or You will find numerous examples of our topcoats on different species on our youtube channel! -here-
INTERIOR USE:Our reactive stains are only wood stains, they do NOT protect for oils, foods, etc. For interior use, our Weatherwood Topcoats should be used to both hold the Weatherwood stained look and protect the wood itself.Some suggested topcoats for maintaining the weathered look.
- TO DARKEN THE LOOK & FOR OILED FLOORING: Weatherwood Maintenance Oil Clear [ link ]
- TO LIGHTEN THE LOOK & FOR OILED FLOORING: Weatherwood Maintenance Oil White [ link ]
- FURNITURE, CABINETRY, MILLWORK: Weatherwood Varnishes [ link ]
- HARDWOOD FLOORS: Weatherwood Polyurethanes [link]
EXTERIOR: For exterior use, our Weatherwood Exterior Waterproofer is needed to both hold the Weatherwood stained look and protect the wood itself. Weatherwood Exterior Waterproofer will protect wood itself from the harmful effects of harsh weather conditions, like cupping, splitting and twisting.Some Weatherwood Stains products DO have a UV & water resistance built in.
- EXTERIOR PROTECTION: Weatherwood Exterior Waterproofer [link]
- EXTERIOR HARD SHELL PROTECTION: We do not have an exterior product with a hard shell finish.
TOPCOAT CARE
Allow it to dry for 7-10 days before light use. Full topcoat cure time is 30 days. As a fine furniture finish care is important.After you finish has cured, the best way to clean is with a rag dampened with water. If your surface requires deeper cleaning we suggest adding a drop of dish detergent or vinegar. Be sure to use coasters, mats and trivets. Wipe spills immediately and only use a water damp microfiber cloth and mild dishsoap to clean. *Always avoid using oil-soap or silicone-based daily cleaners or dusting sprays. These products contaminate the existing finishandcan prevent the adhesion of future finishes.
CAN I USE MY OWN TOPCOATS?
Weatherwood Stains cannot guarantee compatibility with all topcoats on the market. Typically stains do not have any negatively interactions with off brand topcoats, it will not peel, crack, flake, or blister. However, they will not hold the look of our oxidized wood. For that reason we strongly suggest using our own topcoats which have been formulated to protect the wood and the color.
THE TOPCOAT DARKENED THE WOOD, What to do?
When you apply water-based topcoat to oxidized wood, the wood will always darken some, but Weatherwood topcoats are made to darken the least. The manner you apply the topcoat will help. To decrease this effect, you an apply a light "mist coat" first. This is a light misting of topcoat, which will dry much faster than a heavy coat and darken considerably less. Once the mist coat is dry, topcoat with 2 more heavy coats.
CAN I USE POST-CATS?
There are no negative interactions with the finishes durability or with it creating a good seal. With post-cat finishes, most wood types will turn out beautifully- like hickory, walnut, maple etc. The only time we have had any odd reaction was on different oak species. The finish, wood, and stain react and change the color of the wood. Weatherwood stained oak should either be black or steel blue, but with the post cat, the finished wood becomes the color of fumed oak. As long as you know that, you should be all set.
HOW WELL DOES MAINTENANCE OIL PROTECT?
They Maintenance Oils provide light & breathable wood protection. They are beautiful with an ultra matte finish. You can apply up to three coats, and this will help provide better protection. But an oil topcoat is not the same degree of protection as is a hardshell topcoat, like our Varnishes and Polyurethanes. In addition, they are a maintenance product and will eventually need reapplied. Our Maintenance Oil topcoat is an oil-modified urethane, so it provides breathable wood protection. That means, if something spills you have to wipe it right away, as it can eventually seep into the wood's surface. We do not recommend their use near high-water areas in the home or for exterior use.
HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE OIL SHOULD I PURCHASE?
A quart of Maintenance Oil will cover approximately 400 sq. ft. of hardwood. Keep in mind wood porosity, product loss, and learning curve when ordering. **Note: Product coverage decreases when it's applied using a flooring machine, please plan accordingly. Coverage can decrease ~25-40%.
CAN I USE REACTIVE STAINS ON PREINSTALLED (SAND & FINISH) FLOORS?
Yes! Absolutely! Please see our instructions on our "How to Apply" page [link]. Simply scroll to the the bottom for two detailed applications methods.
HOW SHOULD I STORE STAINED WOOD, LIKE SIDING, PRIOR TO INSTALLATION?
We recommend stained wood be dry stacked with spaces gaps but it’s preferable to stain the wood, allow it to dry, and install shortly thereafter. We do not recommend storing stained wood in plastic as this can cause a greenhouse effect that may alter the stained wood color.
I WORKED UP A SAMPLE, BUT NOW MY PROJECT IS A DIFFERENT COLOR.
This happens when clients work up a small sample and the wood they're using has a large degree of variation. This is especially relevant for cedar and douglas fir. For example- the photo below, (LEFT) there are several cedar wood samples. The small light brown sample, (MIDDLE-TOP) was approved by the client.But cedar tannins vary widely from plank to plank. When more wood was stained, they got varying shades of gray and brown. There isnothingwrong with the product, it is functioning just as it's supposed to.To avoid this issue, it's best to work uplargerwood samples, showing the color on a few different planksof wood. The client was very pleased with the result, but only after they were educated about what to expect. They had to be shown the highs and lows that would be possible. See the completed job (RIGHT.)
WILL I GET OVERLAP MARKS ON MY LARGE WOOD SURFACE, LIKE FLOORS, CEILINGS, OR WALLS?
You can successfully use Weatherwood Stains for large projects. A paint sprayer or a flood system are the recommended tool for larger projects, as they are the quickest. If you're working on installed wood floors, see our application instructions for more information.
See our "TROUBLESHOOTING" section on the "How to Apply" page.
MY WOOD LOOKS WATERMARKED, WHAT HAPPENED?
If you see water-marks, that usually because the stain was applied too heavy and/or dried too slowly. You can fix this by applying less stain. By making sure your application area has good air circulation and the temperatures are above 50F degrees. To fix, sometimes buffing the water lines with 0000 steel wool will remove the spots. If not, then we recommend sanding the wood back down.
HOW CAN I FIX STAIN OVERLAP?
If you applied stain in sections but allowed the stain to dry completely while in the middle of the project then you probably have lap marks. This is best fixed by improving your staining technique. Overlap could be avoided by keeping a wet edge as you stain. It also helps to work in sections, a few planks of wood at a time. You can even tape off sections of a large product to keep staining within the lines, so to speak.
SOLUTION: Client tried to stain half of this dresser. Allowed stain to dry and then tried to stain the rest.
- If areas of the project are too dark from overlap, then you can remove some of the color. Try using 000 steel wool to buff down the lines that may have occurred.
- If that doesn't fix the lines, your best course of action is to re-sand the project and start over.
See our "TROUBLESHOOTING" section on the "How to Apply" page for photos.
MY STAIN DRIED CLOUDY OR SPLOTCHY. WHAT DO I DO?
IF WOOD YOUR STAIN DRIES SPOTTY/CLOUDY
- You may have sealed the wood by sanding too finely.
- You may not have applied enough wood stain
- You may have applied wood stain and wiped it back off.
- You applied a very thin coat instead of drenching the wood.
- You may have altered the chemical composition of the product or tried to water it down.
SOLUTION:
- To fix the problems, just sand wood with 80 grit in both directions to open up the wood.
- Then, reapply wood stain over the entire surface, drenching the wood and letting stain dry.
See our "TROUBLESHOOTING" section on the "How to Apply" page for photos.
PART OF THE WOOD DIDN'T TAKE THE STAIN. WHAT DO I DO?
IF YOUR END PRODUCT HAS SAP SPOTS, (i.e. SPOTS WHERE THE PRODUCT DIDN'T REACT) -or-IF YOUR PROJECT HAS SPOTS WHERE YOU FAILED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING FINISHSOLUTION
- To fix the problems, just sand wood with 80 grit in both directions to open up the wood. Especially where you failed to sand the first time.
- Then, reapply wood stain over the entire surface, drenching the wood and letting stain dry.
See our "TROUBLESHOOTING" section on the "How to Apply" page for photos.
THERE ARE BROWN LINES AFTER THE STAIN DRIED. WHAT DO I DO?
These marks occur when you applied too much stain or it dried too slowly. This is best fixed by improving your staining technique and your staining environment. When the stain is drying, make sure there are no puddles that are failing to dry. Make sure the project doesn't sit in a puddle of stain to dry, like a vertical door. And make sure the environment is above 50 degrees, but 70+ is better. Have good air flow and humidity under 80%.SOLUTION
- If areas of the project are too dark from overlap, then you can remove some of the color. Try using 000 steel wool to buff down the lines that may have occurred.
- If that doesn't fix the lines, your best course of action is to re-sand the project and start over.
See our "TROUBLESHOOTING" section on the "How to Apply" page for photos.
VARNISH OR POLYURETHANE SCRATCH REPAIR
- Vacuum the floor.
- Clean with oil free floor cleaner
- Smaller scratches: Apply a Wood Floor Polish to repair smaller micro scratches with a Microfiber Cleaning Pad
If you still think the scratches are visible:If you’re not sure how deep the scratches are, and whether you need to sand your floor, we recommend you contact a flooring professional. If you want to proceed on your own, do so with caution. Repairs are tricky!
- Note: If you're just applied a Wood Floor Polish, they contain wax and will need to be removed or wear down before proceeding.
- Sand the area with very fine sandpaper. ex. 250-320 grit
- Vacuum the floor/Use tack cloth to remove dust.
- Use an artists's brush to apply, and make sure you choose the same poly you used previously. Make sure to avoid overlap.
- Use painter's tape to tape off the damaged wood plank.
- Remove overlap or raised grain with 0000 steel wool, using very LIGHT pressure.
- Use a good brush to apply a LIGHT coat of poly to entire plank. Remove tape while poly is WET.
MAINTENANCE OIL SCRATCH REPAIR
- Vacuum the floor.
- Spray the area with Cleaner for Oiled Floors, use Microfiber Cleaning Pad and allow to dry properly.
- Apply Oil Refresher according to instructions, use a Microfiber Applicator Pad
If you still think the scratches are visible:
- Sand the area with very fine sandpaper. ex. 250-320 grit
- Vacuum the floor/Use tack cloth to remove dust.
- Add oil and make sure you choose the same oil you used previously. Buff into floors, being careful to avoid overlap.
- If you’re not sure and need more help, we recommend you contact a flooring professional.
FLOOR CARE TIPS
Floor Care tips:
- Avoid walking on the floor with high heels.
- Don't drag furniture across the wood floor, carry it instead.
- Put felt pads on table and chair legs.
CAN I RETURN / EXCHANGE MY PURCHASE?
ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Due to the nature of the industry, we cannot accept any returns or exchanges. Even if you package has not yet been delivered, even if the clips are still on the lids, even if you simply bought the wrong item, we are sorry but there are no exceptions. Orders cannot be cancelled. Consumer purchases at their own risk. Weatherwood does not reimburse for labor. Topcoats warrantied by the manufacturer.