General Finishes Water Based Dye Stain is a thin, ink-like stain that penetrates deep into the wood to bring out figure and grain rather than sitting on top of it the way a pigmented stain does. It's especially suited to highly figured woods like mahogany, walnut, and maple, and it's sold in 15 colors that can be cut with the water-based reducer or mixed into a water-based topcoat as a toner.
One quart covers roughly 120-160 sq ft per coat. It's dry to the touch in about 30 minutes and ready for a second coat in 2 hours under normal conditions — allow extra time above 80% humidity, and 24 hours if you're applying it over an oil-based product. It's water-based and interior use only, and cleans up with soap and water or General Finishes Brush & Gun Cleaner. As with any stain, it needs a topcoat for protection.
- Water-based dye stain, 15 colors, interior use
- Coverage: about 120-160 sq ft per quart per coat
- Dry to touch in 30+ minutes; recoat in 2+ hours
- Best on highly figured woods: mahogany, walnut, maple
- Can be diluted with reducer or used as a topcoat toner
- Cleanup with soap and water
Specifications
| Type | Water Based Stain |
|---|---|
| Base | Water |
| Interior / exterior | Interior only |
| Color | Yellow, Amber, Light Brown, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Orange, Empire Red, Vintage Cherry, Cinnamon, Merlot, Pewter, Ebony, Green, Blue, Reducer (Clear) |
| Apply with | Brush, Spray |
| Spray tip | HVLP 1.1mm-1.3mm |
| Coats | 1 - 2 coats |
| Dry to touch | 30+ minutes |
| Recoat after | 2+ hours |
| Coverage | 60-80 sq ft/pint, 120-160 sq ft/quart, 480-640 sq ft/gallon |
| Over an existing finish | No |
| VOC | Amber: <250 g/L Blue: <250 g/L Cinnamon: <250 g/L Dark Brown: <250 g/L Ebony: <240 g/L Empire Red: <250 g/L Light Brown: <250 g/L Medium Brown: <250 g/L Merlot: <250 g/L Orange: <250 g/L Pewter: <250 g/L Green: <250 g/L Vintage Cherry: <250 g/L Yellow: <250 g/L |
Questions & answers
When should I use a dye stain?
When you want to show off grain, figure or burl. Dye stain soaks deep into the wood and stays transparent. It is also good for layering, such as a yellow or amber dye under a darker stain for a warm glow.
Should I use a pre-stain conditioner first?
General Finishes does not recommend it; a conditioner reduces the color, which defeats the purpose of a dye.
Will it raise the grain?
Somewhat, like any water-based stain. Before staining, dampen the wood with distilled water, let it dry, and sand lightly with 220 grit. Or just knock the grain down when you sand the first coat of topcoat.
How do I make the color lighter or custom?
Mix it with Dye Stain Reducer, adding color in 10% steps until you like it. Do not thin it with water.
Why is my first topcoat coat pulling color?
A little color pull is normal. Sanding raw wood too fine makes it worse. Sand with 180 grit and go no finer than 220.
How long between coats?
Dry to the touch in 30+ minutes and ready to recoat after 2+ hours; allow 24 hours if it goes over an oil-based product. It is for interior use.
Specifications from General Finishes.