Clear Stains ???

[John B]

G'day all,
I have seen the terms "Clear Stain" and "Natural Stain" mentioned on various forums. Non of these terms make much sense to me?
I have never seen either in any shop.
Perhaps someone could enlighten me
Cheers

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Well I will take a shot at it. Many times the terms are used interchangeably but are not the same. First a stain is a product that penetrates wood surfaces and either you add color or highlight the grain. Natural stains are resins and oils mixed that add a hue or warmth of color but also bring out the grain of woods and let the wood show through in its natural state. A clear stain is a clear product that penetrates the wood but adds  protection additives such as UV and adds no color whatsoever to the wood, thus clear. You see these terms used alot with deck colors and finishes. 

Now with that said you have clear and natural finishes also. These are top coats such as polyurethane, lacquers, shelacs. Your waterbased products are your clearest and can add no color unless they have stain mixed in with them. Oil based finishes will always have a yellow tint to them. Used on darker woods you never see it. Now all these finishes can have UV protection as well. Any stain or finish that adds color immediately adds protection from UV. 

Edited March 20, 2019 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[lawson56]

I couldn't have said it better myself.Really. I have used both over the yrs.when I have come across wood that is just to pretty to stain.

[John B]

@JTTHECLOCKMAN Thanks John.
I do know all about finishes etc such as the poly's and Lacquers. I also know and use wood stains often. OK so the term "Stain" is the misnomer. As they do not in actuality stain the product. Thanks
 

[Scrolling Steve]

I use Minwax Natural stain on things to enhance the grain....Never thought about it other wise.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

4 hours ago, John B said:

@JTTHECLOCKMAN Thanks John.
I do know all about finishes etc such as the poly's and Lacquers. I also know and use wood stains often. OK so the term "Stain" is the misnomer. As they do not in actuality stain the product. Thanks
 

Not in the sense that they color the wood.

Stains are absorbed into the wood because they are thinner as with finishes they lay on top of the wood because they are thicker.

Edited March 20, 2019 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[tomsteve]

clear stain is stain without the pigments. basically the base for stains.

its the same with house paints-sherwin williams A100 non tinted is an excellent clear for outdoor projects but is also used as the base for colors(tinted)

 in auto painting, there is a basecoat that has the color(pigments). dont add the pigment and it is used as an intercoat clear.