When it comes to finishing wood, there are various techniques and products available. One question that often arises is whether it is possible to mix oil-based stain with oil-based polyurethane and achieve the same results as applying them separately. In this article, we will explore this topic and provide insights into what happens when you mix stain and polyurethane. We will also discuss a real-world application of this technique and offer our opinion on its efficacy.
To conduct our experiment, we set up four glasses containing different combinations of polyurethane and stain. The first glass contained a 50/50 mixture of both, while the second had 75% polyurethane and 25% stain. The third glass contained pure polyurethane, which served as our control baseline. Lastly, we used a product called poly Shades by Minwax, which is a one-step product that combines stain and polyurethane.
Using a clean soft bristle brush, we applied each mixture to a wooden surface and observed the results. The 50/50 mixture showed good, even coverage, while the 25% stain mixture appeared slightly lighter. The pure polyurethane exhibited a standard finish, and the poly Shades product had a similar appearance to the stain mixtures.
After allowing the finishes to dry, we conducted a test in a real-world situation. The basement steps of a church, which had been neglected for years, served as our test surface. We decided to use a mixture of one part stain and two parts polyurethane. Although it is important to note that this method is not recommended for professional projects, it was useful for testing purposes.
We lightly sanded the steps with 80-grit sandpaper and cleaned off the dust with paint thinner. Ideally, the proper way to finish the steps would involve removing all existing finish, sanding down to bare wood, applying the stain, and allowing it to dry before applying multiple coats of polyurethane. However, this experiment aimed to determine the acceptability of mixing stain and polyurethane.
Upon inspection, the finished steps exhibited a mismatch in color between the bare wood and areas where the original finish was not removed completely. The poly Shades mixture produced a rough and blotchy finish, while our homemade versions were slightly smoother but still not considered a complete finish. A second or third coat of polyurethane would likely be necessary to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
To further test the technique, we applied the stain and polyurethane mixture to a reindeer Christmas card holder project. The intention was to create a rustic and unfinished look, which the mixture seemed suitable for. After applying the mixture, the finish appeared okay but not ideal. The wood lacked a smooth and beautiful finish that may have been achieved by staining first and then applying polyurethane separately.
Considering our results, it is possible to mix stain and polyurethane and achieve similar outcomes as poly Shades. However, it is important to note that the finish is often incomplete and may obscure the natural grain of the wood. Despite the technique’s potential effectiveness, we do not recommend it as the standard method of finishing wood.
In conclusion, our experiment proved that mixing stain and polyurethane can produce comparable results to using poly Shades. However, the finish obtained is often incomplete and may not provide the desired aesthetic. It is recommended to follow the traditional method of staining first and then applying polyurethane separately for a superior finish. While the technique may work in theory, we believe it is not worth the time and effort compared to the standard approach.
