There are basically two types of stains used for staining wood; oil based and water based. Water base stains is much superior to oil base stains because it is much easier to use and is a great deal cheaper to purchase.

Water based stain come as a powder and is mixed by the user. One ounce of power will make a quart of stain for approximately $4.00. Oil based stain cost approximately four times that amount for a quart.

Water based stain is actually a stain dye. When applied to most woods it will penetrate the wood where oil based stains simply sets on top of the wood. The shade of the color can be varied by altering the ratio of water to powder. Clean up is easy using soap and water. View the mixing water based wood stain video for a demonstration on how easy it is to mix and use water based stain.

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