Water based stains?

SimeonTurner · Post by **SimeonTurner** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:01 pm

Hi all-

I was at my local woodcraft the other day and I picked up some water based stain for a couple of side projects I have been fooling around with. As I was picking a color out, I started to wonder if it would be something I could use on my pipes. The guys at woodcraft couldn't give me a reason *not* to use it on a pipe, but they also tend to give me mediocre advice when it comes to questions about pipe-making (if i was building furniture, they would have a million answers...LOL).

I like Fiebings stuff, but wondered if there is a good reason why a water based stain would be a be a bad thing to play around with. Are there concerns with a water based stain that are similar to the concerns associated with oil based stains? Is it just more of a pain in the butt to use?

Any input would be most appreciated! Thanks!

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:17 pm

There's no reason not to use water based stains. I've experimented with them extensively, and generally they penetrate a little shallower than the leather dye, but other than that they're quite good. Also, if they're formulated right, they won't run when you topstain with an alcohol based stain (or vis-versa).

SimeonTurner · Post by **SimeonTurner** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:33 pm

So the woodcraft guys were right about a pipe related issue! Had to happen sometime. LOL

Thanks Kurt. I may play around with some water based stains and see what happens.

LexKY_Pipe · Post by **LexKY_Pipe** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:46 am

Be sure to let the stain really "stain" the wood and remove the residual. Other wise, moist hands will cause the stain to run. After you stain the pipe you might want to seal it with a small amout of shellac before you apply your wax.