Nowadays, there are so many options for finishing your project. In my experience, the most difficult and frustrating situation is when you use a beautiful piece of white oak to build a shelf because of its muted characteristics but turn your handcrafted item into a golden mess after hitting it with a finish to protect it. If you're reading this, then you know what I'm talking about. In this article, I am aiming to give you my 5 best wood stains I've found work best to keep your white oak looking beautiful.
When working with White oak you are trying to preserve its natural look even after a poly or lacer finish, here are my suggestions:
Number 5: Minwax Simply White
This is a method called "white washing" the goal is to use a small amount and not flood the wood. the white stain penetrates the grain of the oak and adds a sealant layer to the wood protecting it from the Golden affect you get from a finish on stained wood.
Using a lint free rag such as an old white T-shirt is the best applicator for white washing, Again, the key to this method is not to flood the wood but to push the white stain into the grain subtly.
the reason this ranks lowest on the list whilst it does produce a very pleasing look, it does have a deep learning curve. practice on scraps with applying small amounts. The stain itself has a short time frame to work with. It will begin to set and get tacky quickly especially if working in the sun. however, if you can get the technique down, this is one of the best stains to use for white oak.
Number 4: Minwax Silvered Gray
This is yet another Minwax brand and they deserve to be in the running. Silvered Gray is different then some of the following stains that will revolve around grays and whites however this stain adds a nice shimmer to the finish.
When applying oil based stain means the components will separate and with Silvered Gray you'll want to be sure to Stir not shake thoroughly and constantly to make sure you get an even amount of the actually color in your application.
With its easy application and gray finish, this stain makes our list, however, you'll need to apply multiple coats to protect against the golden affect.
Number 3: Rubino Monocoat
This is a relatively newer brand only launching worldwide in 2005. The Products are premium and do produce a great result. The over very specialized coloring options and are not for the feint at heart.
While most of the stains on this list are around $15 for a qt which will be accomplish most projects with residual in the can. Rubio Monocoat anywhere from $24-$35 for... about 3 OZ.
The reason for being number 3 on the list is because of its amazing finish and even coverage for a one coat solution. Stain and Finish all in one and it produces flawless results.
However, because of the price its hard to recommend this to people who are scaling a hobby into a business and cannot afford the upfront cost. but for the hobbyist, this is easily number one.
Number 2: General Finishes Graystone
General Finishes is widely trusted brand that many consumers have had satisfactory results. The Graystone finish penetrates nicely producing a rich and vintage looking product.
General Finishes ranks high on our list as it is more affordable than the Rubio Monocoat and still produces comparable results.
Number 1 on our list of the 5 best wood stains for white oak: Minwax or Varathane Weathered Oak
These Stains rank number 1 on our list for their availability, price and finish.
Either of these cans can be found in big box retailers such as Lowes, The Home Depot or even Walmart. They are priced around $15 a qt for oil based and a little goes a very long way.
The end result is a favorite of ours as it ages the wood over time producing a beautiful rustic look you would only be able to achieve with time.
The weathering agent mixed with the muted gray grains make this our absolute favorite.
At the end of the day, it's going to be up to your preferences when choosing a stain. However, any of these will be great with your white oak projects. Different wood species will produce different results. Come back to our blog to read more about wood species.
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