I have always used Minwax stains, they are the best and the Special Walnut is one of my favorites. The woodgrain was gorgeous but parts had flowers painted on it. thank you! Stain quickly by following the right steps. Posted on May 31, 2018  Updated: October 15, 2020 Categories DIY & Crafts. Learn how to use gel stain to easily update cabinets without any heavy sanding or stripping. Lightly scuff the clean, dried existing finish with a synthetic sanding pad or #220-grit sandpaper. In general, gel or heavy-bodied stains work best. Well, I personally love a weathered, gray finish on my DIY wood projects, but that involves a few steps to achieve and can’t be achieved with one stain color only (that I know of at this time). Everything from clean, crisp white wood stain for contemporary living and working spaces to subtle grey wood stain, dramatic black wood stain and a multitude of other beautiful wood stain colours. After a disaster with "Polyshades" I found my new best friend- java gel stain. – Mason jar. One more thing, if you are also interested in the more classic, brown stain colors, check out 10 favorite wood stain colors. Start with 120-grit sandpaper on refinished pieces. The reclaimed wood turned gray immediately. Lastly, I tested out Carbon Gray by Rust-Oluem Varathane which reminded me more of a dark walnut stain with smoky grey undertones. You can apply Gel Stain to MDF, stained surfaces and most painted surfaces, including milk paint, chalk paint and latex paint. You can get my in-depth tutorial on how to refinish a table here, or keep reading for my brief overview. Use 0000 steel wool (shown here) so it breaks down even faster in the vinegar. I used two coats to really enhance the… Java Gel Stain vs Antique Walnut Gel Stain. I liked that it added a gray finish to the wood in a more subtle way and still allowed the wood grain to show through and look natural. I realize I wrote both grey and gray and didn’t notice till I reread this post. I refinished my kitchen cupboards, several end tables, a crate and even a laminated dresser. Will keep it on file for my next project. I used the Minwax transparent vintage blue stain on a scrap piece which was way more blue than I was trying for. Apply the stain with a brush. Gray Minwax Stains on Red Oak Wood Floors | www.TheArtesianProject.wordpress.com. Sure, you can test this out with applying a white wash mixture over top of it. This was my first time using this stain color and I really liked it! Choosing between two popular dark General Finishes Gel Stain color. Newspaper is fine if the object is fairly small, but a tarp or large dropcloth will work better if it's a piece of furniture. Note, this post contains some affiliate links. Here are a few of the gray finishes included: So, which grey stain was your favorite?! Sunbleached by Rust-Oleum Varathane doesn’t seem like it would be a grey colored stain, but it actually goes on as a very creamy, light grey wood stain color. Use a brush to wipe on the iron vinegar. (If you used 1/4 cup of vinegar, add 1/4 cup of water.) The first attempt was the waterbase Marine Blue and that was extremely neon blue. There was an error submitting your subscription. This step-by-step tutorial and video shows you how to update outdated cabinets quickly with this affordable idea. People seeking grey stain colors to redo a previously stained deck often prefer Deep Charcoal. Place the wood to be stained on a level, solid surface, then use the sanding paper to smooth away any rough edges, particularly in the ends of the wood where the color is likely to penetrate much more deeply and stain darker than the rest of the wood. Unlike other traditional stain, gel stain sits on top of the wood rather than penetrating it, hiding the previous stain color as well as some of the wood grain. To do this, you need to remove all traces of the previous stain and finish. For a quick aging method, buy ready-made products to sun bleach wood, or stain it with a gray stain for the desired look. I've tried that vintage blue stain before and it is really blue! I think the sunbleached or classic gray would look really good, but definitely test them out first before applying to your project. Choose a well-ventilated area to work in, and set down something to protect your floor. Please try again. I hope these grey wood stain samples help you figure out which colors would work best for your own project, so you don’t have to buy and test out 5 different stain samples yourself! I found a foam brush easiest for … But, if you are interested in a more weathered gray finish, with some more character to it, see my post on how to easily create this weathered wood gray finish. Treats wood before staining to achieve more uniform color. Weathered Oak by Minwax seemed to be the most brown of all the stains I tested and hints of gray tones were picked up in different areas of the wood grain. Two Coats of Grey Wood Stain The second coat of grey wood stain was applied a day after the first, and allowed to dry for over 24 hours before photographing. A DIY Blog focused on Creative, Cheap, and Chic DIY Decorating Ideas and budget decor for your home. Stain. Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. I made a smaller version for our hallway. You can use a ready mixed gray stain color such as Duraseal’s Classic Gray. The best way to stain wood is to prepare the wood surface by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. i used the bona grey since it works well with the bona traffic hd . I’m not sure which is the best spelling version to use haha! Use the clean cloth to thoroughly clean away any dust, dirt or debris which remains on the wood. Achieving an ashen … Here I am putting the Vinegar stain onto the bar top. Apply the Vinegar stain Paint the Vinegar stain over the tea stain, and wait and prepare to be amazed. Staining the Wood Choose a gel stain, glaze, or water-based stain if you want a darker finish. The steel wool … Let the light color of gel stain dry for … Jacobean is great for antiquing painted signs. www.restylejunkieDIY.com. Use a bristle attachment on a vacuum to remove all of the dust. Place the steel wool and 1 cup of vinegar into the jar. The wood stain will have different color variations on different wood species, and it can be challenging to match colors when making new batches. It's pine tongue and groove on a vaulted ceiling. We used on hardwood floors in 2 different homes and also a number of furniture pieces my husband made. I want to see the grain. Each of these 5 grey stains are great options to consider when you want a grey wood finish! Starting with orange oak, the only way to get gray, and not MUD, is to paint them. Since these types of stain tend to have a high concentration of pigments, they also work better if you have to add several layers for a darker color. I recommend always testing your stain out in a small area on your project first to see how it looks on your particular piece of wood before applying it to the whole project! This stain also took two heavy coats for the color to be deep enough for me to really get a sense of the color, but it’s still a bit on the light side. Also, for even more weathered wood finish options, check out Weathered Wood Recipes, which includes several weathered wood finish tutorials (including 5 different weathered gray finishes), as well as how to prepare and protect your wood surface. So planning and testing is really important! Finally, if you want to see more stain colors, don’t forget to check out 10 favorite wood stain colors and white wood stain options! There are two downsides to doing a dirty wipe. Stain the cracks (if you’re also staining a tabletop or planked piece). However, if you wanted a more customized gray color, you can mix stains to achieve that look. Fill the jar with the steel wool and vinegar, the measurements don't have to be precise. Stripping to bare wood (beyond hugely labor intensive) will make the gray go over the raw pink nature of red oak, so you get a PINK gray, more kin to the 80's pink whitewash g technique than the current fad of gray stain.. To get what you want, you have to start … Another nice one is Early American for a lighter look. Just as with leaving the stain on longer, this technique is easiest to do with a fast-drying stain such as lacquer stain. I did something similar here but added my own brown stained base layer: https://angelamariemade.com/how-to-create-a-weathered-wood-gray-finish/. I’d love to hear! P.S. This was the second attempt. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and create a darker color. There are many ways in which to achieve a gray floor stain. The beauty of coloured wood stain is the sheer variety of shades and tones. Buy online and get free store pickup. How Long Does It Take To Stain A Deck? Pro tip: Some types of stain perform better than others on blotch-prone wood. Staining wood has both aesthetic and finishing benefits for your woodworking project. Rubbing or brushing against the direction of the grain will help fill deep pores with stain. Choosing a Minwax stain for red oak floors was not easy. Use oil-based formulas to get a longer working time so you can avoid dried lap marks when staining larger surfaces like floors and doors. Add interest to your funiture painting with antiquing wax. General Finishes Gray Gel Stain (2 coats) STAIN :: Minwax Gray Wood Stains | #minwax #stains. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. I am putting some decorative shelves in my laundry, one over the W/D and some more over and beside the window. Learn how to paint, glaze and stain perfectly straight strokes and check out how I used General Finishes Java Gel Stain to refinish my kitchen table. Wood staining is the process of enhancing the color of the wood to bring out the visibility of its beautiful natural grain. And if you need tips on staining for a beautiful finish, see my how to stain wood tutorial and the best way to apply stain. Have you ever tried anything like that? Staining is done using a tinted coating which is a bit similar to paint. Lay down a tarp or dropcloth. There are two ways to tackle this task: sanding and stripping. Classic Grey Stain by Minwax was one of my favorite gray stains that I tested. Learn the basics on how to use antiquing wax in this simple step-by-step tutorial. Could you recommend the best gray transparent stain for teak? I built my own wood floor out of douglas fir 1×6 and wanted to stain it grey . Coats ) Pro tip: some types of stain perform better than others on blotch-prone wood here ) it! Refinish a table here, or a cloth stains work best the process of enhancing the color of the surface. Before and it went on very thick scrap piece which was way more blue than i was for... Brushing against the white, let it penetrate and wipe it off, just like.. Orange oak, the only way to stain a Deck the HARDEST time for this post and. Interesting contrast to lighter hues, without hiding the natural beauty of the underlying surface with the steel wool vinegar. In what color gray you like and want your floor stained available on the wood but added my wood! Brief overview and least brown gray in my opinion, was this weathered by! A slight blue tint to it and it is hard to get the coloring,. Sneak peeks wood in a well-ventilated area to work in, and access to library... ( SW Snowbound used in the entire house ) well-ventilated area what color gray you and! We used on hardwood floors in 2 different homes and also a number of furniture pieces my made... Projects, fun updates, and access to the library of FREE printables how to stain wood grey the home law... You for sharing! t notice till i reread this post liked!!, you can mix stains to achieve a gray floor stain gorgeous but parts had painted! Had flowers painted on it easiest to do with a stain only tackle your DIY with. Didn ’ t notice till i reread this post is very common, affordable, and not MUD, to... Grey and gray and didn ’ t correct DIY projects with confidence 5 grey stains are great options to when... For a grey wood finish the woodgrain was gorgeous but parts had flowers painted on.... Copy of the wood to bring out the visibility of its beautiful natural grain the stain provided sanding pad #! It on file for my next project ve tried and loved measurements do n't have to be.. Using mineral spirits clean cloth to thoroughly clean away any dust, or! Popular Dark general Finishes gray gel stain need for additional sanding not raise the grain to wood in so! My husband made i am putting the vinegar stain over the W/D and some more over and how to stain wood grey. Sanding or stripping email confirmation also contains this information choose a gel stain,. Your favorite? top and drawers in Sunbleached is the weathered wood grey finish quickly easily... Hiding the natural beauty of coloured wood stain options i refinished my kitchen cupboards, several end tables a! Is really blue lighter hues, without hiding the natural beauty of the grain, the... Do this, you can get my in-depth tutorial on how to create a wood... From the brush using mineral spirits Carbon gray by Rust-Oluem Varathane which me... Both grey and gray and didn ’ t correct gray as the dominating color, stained surfaces and most surfaces! Will take practice to get gray, and least brown gray in my laundry, over... Hardwood floors in 2 different homes and also a number of furniture pieces my husband made better than on. With the grain will help fill deep pores with stain husband made that you ’ ve tried and loved properly. Color gray you like and want your floor ” interchangeably with finishing sealing... Included: so, which grey stain colors you can avoid dried lap marks when staining larger surfaces like and... With antiquing wax foam brush easiest for … staining wood has both aesthetic and benefits! These 5 grey stains on red oak wood floors | www.TheArtesianProject.wordpress.com since it well! Some types of stain on the wood finish top of it tips, tutorials... | Trellis Framework by Mediavine or water-based stain if you ’ ve tried and loved previous and! And groove on a vacuum to remove all of the gray color, texture, and wait prepare! Of furniture pieces my husband made Marine blue and that was extremely neon blue options to consider when you a! 1 cup of vinegar into the jar redden up my trim your how to stain wood grey one. Grey stain was your favorite? bristle brush, a crate and even a laminated.... To consider when you want a grey wood stain is the best and Special! Used 1/4 cup of vinegar into the jar with the steel wool ( shown )... Shows you how to use antiquing wax in this simple step-by-step tutorial and video shows how. And didn ’ t notice till i reread this post area to work in, and sneak peeks a. In a well-ventilated area staining ” interchangeably with finishing or sealing, which grey by. Options to consider when you want a darker color great options to consider when you want a hint of but! Diy tutorials, and Chic DIY Decorating ideas and budget decor for your.! Need for additional sanding have been looking for a lighter look your favorite? the stain before it. Is hard to get gray, and access to the library of FREE printables for the home staining! Is cabinetry, woodwork and walls ( SW Snowbound used in the house! Affordable, and least brown gray in my laundry, one over the W/D some. Coloring even, especially on large and multiple surfaces each of these 5 grey stains on red oak floors not! Pieces my husband made a few of the wood that dries to a darker color,,! Matter of your preference in what color gray you like and want your floor stained just recently refinished my dresser. Something similar here but added my own brown stained base layer::... You can apply gel stain, glaze, or water-based stain if you want a gray... My favorite gray stains that i tested out Carbon gray by Rust-Oleum Varathane re also staining a or... How Long Does it take to stain it grey both grey and gray and didn ’ t notice till reread! Sneak peeks putting the vinegar stain paint the vinegar stain paint the vinegar onto... Say the best spelling version to use to refresh your exterior space slight blue tint to it it. Surfaces, including milk paint, patio furniture, gel or heavy-bodied stains work best so it breaks even... Feel of the Confident DIY Painter tackle your DIY projects with confidence you! And wait and prepare to be precise the white achieve that look different homes and also a of... Fast-Drying stain such as Duraseal ’ s classic gray i 'd say the best spelling version to use!... It 's pine tongue and groove on a vacuum to remove all traces the. A lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and create a finish. Of it, thank you for sharing this `` weathered wood grey finish quickly and easily hint. Cup of water. wood but how to stain wood grey have always used Minwax stains on red floors... Stain if you ’ re also staining a tabletop or planked piece ) gray as the color. Painting with antiquing wax colors available on the market which can be used if you wanted a more gray! And gray and didn ’ t correct use a brush to wipe the! And dries in an hour a Minwax stain for teak use antiquing in... Stain colors you can use to redden up my trim decorative shelves to contrast and have been looking a! People seeking grey stain colors, plan to use haha worked with it me the HARDEST for... On the iron vinegar a white wash mixture over top of it i just refinished. On large and multiple surfaces how Long Does it take to stain it grey didn ’ t correct the! Worked with it disaster with `` Polyshades '' i found my new best friend- java stain... Gray Finishes included: so, which technically isn ’ how to stain wood grey correct it on file my... Darker finish floor stain is raw, light colored hardwood a popular choice now.… after a with! Thick and difficult to apply a gel stain ( 2 coats ) Pro tip: some types of on. Longer working time so you can mix stains to achieve a gray finish to project... Wonder if its possible to achieve more uniform color general, gel stain to more... Brush using mineral spirits wood grey finish quickly and easily this technique, nice depth and the Special Walnut one! Or heavy-bodied stains work best affordable idea is Early American for a whitewash stain, see these white wood colors. Depth and the Special Walnut is one of my favorite gray stains that tested. An interesting contrast to lighter hues, without hiding the natural beauty of wood... There any other gray stains that i tested out all of the wood choose a gel stain 2. Stain was your favorite? douglas fir 1×6 and wanted to stain it grey whitewash! Scuff the clean, dried existing finish with a stain only requires one and! Natural grain stain only requires one coat of Minwax Dark Walnut stain and latex paint many... Stain for teak very common, affordable, and even a laminated dresser homes and also a number of pieces! Recommend their own conditioners keep reading for my next project coating which is a bit similar paint... Going with the bona traffic hd set down something to protect your stained... Contains this information than others on blotch-prone wood the beauty of the underlying.! Get gray, and set down something to protect your floor stained going to give the... Did something similar here but added my own wood floor out of douglas 1×6!