DIY Network

Wood Finishing: Paint vs. Varnish From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-110

Both paint and varnish protect the surface of wood. With paint, however, you sacrifice the grain of the wood as a visual feature.

Q: Is there a general rule for when I should use paint and when I should use varnish on my woodworking projects?

A: (from DIY woodworking and refinishing expert Bruce Johnson) Paint and varnish have one thing in common: they're both designed to protect the wood. But that's just about where the similarities end. Paint is designed to bring color to the wood, but that color may conceal the wood grain. By contrast, stains and varnishes enter the pores of the wood but remain relatively clear, so chances are good that the grain of the wood will remain visible. Here are some tips for selecting between paint or varnish, and for the successful use of each.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves and eye protection when working with stains, varnishes, solvents and other hazardous chemicals.

• The type of finish or paint you choose will be influenced by the type of wood you're working with. Wood comes in a wide variety of types and quality. At the bottom of the scale is particle board, a composite material made from sawdust that has been glued and compressed to make a wood-like product. Particle board will accept a stain (figure A), but it tends to absorb the stain like a sponge and doesn't look very attractive. If you're working with particle board, painting may be your best option.

• Next up the scale is plywood which, in comparison to solid woods such as oak, can be identified by the layers of wood that have been glued together to form the plywood sheet (figure B). Plywood comes in various types and grades.

• Less expensive grades like construction-grade typically has wide grain that creates a rather unattractive "zebra effect" (figure C). As with particle board, the best option for inexpensive plywood may be painting.

• With solid woods such as oak, cherry or mahogany -- or with finer-grade plywood such as oak plywood -- a stain may be preferred since it will allow the natural beauty and grain of the wood to show through. The first step in staining is to stir the stain well to ensure that the pigments are mixed thoroughly.

• Stains can be applied to the wood using a rag or a brush. A rag allows you to apply it with a little more control (figure D). Regardless of how you apply the stain, allow the stain to soak into the wood for a few minutes, then wipe of the excess with a rag. If you want a darker version of the stain, let it stay on a little longer before wiping. If you want a lighter version, wipe it off almost immediately.

• Once the stain has dried, you'll typically want to protect the stained finish with a varnish such as polyurethane. The varnish is clear, and should be applied on top of the stain using a brush (figure E). It shouldn't change the color much, but offers protection without concealing the wood grain.

• If you decide to use paint, remember that paint actually sticks better to primer than it does to bare wood. When painting wood trim, for example, apply a coat of primer and let it dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then you can apply a coat of paint over the primer (figure F). Applying primer before painting will help reduce the chance of chipping or peeling later on. Two coats of paint may be required to conceal the primer coat completely. As a rule of thumb, two thin coats are better than one thick coat.