WoodEpox® is the industry leader for epoxy wood repairs. One of the reasons WoodEpox has become so popular over the past 40 years is the incredible ease with which it can be finished. It sands like a dream, plays nicely with just about every woodworking tool, and accepts virtually any type of paint or stain you can think of.
One of the most commonly asked questions our customer service department receives is “Will WoodEpox take a stain?”. The simple answer to that question is, Yes! While epoxy does not behave exactly like wood, a few key techniques can help you create a seamless and natural-looking repair. This makes it an ideal stainable epoxy wood filler for everything from historic windows to modern furniture.
How to Stain Wood Repairs with WoodEpox
A great finish starts with the right process. Follow these steps to prepare, color, and finish your stained wood repair for professional results.
This video shows our in-house test of several types of stains and the results we got by applying them to our unpigmented WoodEpox, as well as WoodEpox that had been tinted with colored pigments.
Prep & Blend the Repair
Before staining, the repair must be perfectly shaped and smooth. After mixing WoodEpox, overfill the damaged area slightly. Once the material has hardened, you can begin sanding. The goal is to make the patch perfectly flush with the surrounding wood.
Start with a medium-grit sandpaper to level the surface, then switch to a finer grit to remove any scratches. The final surface should be smooth to the touch. It is critical to let the epoxy fully harden before sanding or staining, so always respect the recommended cure time.
Stain Options & Techniques
When applied to wood, stain penetrates the grain and changes its color almost instantly. Because WoodEpox is non-porous, a penetrating stain will not soak in. The stain sits on the surface of the epoxy, which is why your choice of stain and application method matters.
A gel stain or other highly pigmented stain will deliver the best results for an epoxy wood filler that takes stain. These stains have a thick consistency that allows them to adhere to the surface without wiping away. When applying, you may need to let the stain sit for a few minutes to set before wiping off any excess.
Another excellent technique is tinting the epoxy before you apply it. Because WoodEpox is a very light-colored filler, a stain applied directly to its surface can look significantly different from how it appears on the actual wood. To create a more consistent base for your stain, you can blend dry colored pigments into the WoodEpox mixture. This allows you to change the tone of the filler itself, making it much easier to achieve a seamless final color match.
Seal & Topcoat for a Uniform Finish
After staining, the final step is to apply a protective topcoat. To ensure the final finish has a consistent sheen across both the wood and the epoxy, it is best to apply a seal coat first. A thin coat of shellac or a thinned varnish creates a uniform base for the topcoat.
Once the seal coat is dry, you can apply your final finish, such as polyurethane or varnish. For the smoothest possible surface, consider a light sanding between coats with very fine-grit sandpaper. This will give your project a durable and beautifully blended finish.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
- Always test your stain on a cured sample of WoodEpox before applying it to your project.
- Use highly pigmented stains. Stains designed for translucence will not provide enough color on the non-porous epoxy surface.
- For light-colored wood, use un-tinted WoodEpox. For darker woods, tinting the putty first will make color matching much easier.
- Do not rush the process. Allow both the epoxy and the stain adequate time to set and cure before moving to the next step.
- Be patient when applying stain. Unlike with wood, the color will not change instantly. Let it sit on the surface for a few minutes.
FAQs
Q: Will WoodEpox take penetrating stain like bare wood?
A: No. WoodEpox is non-porous, so a penetrating stain cannot soak in. It will look weak and can be easily wiped off. Gel stains or other highly pigmented stains are the best choice, as they adhere to the surface to provide color.
Q: Can I tint WoodEpox to match dark species?
A: Yes, tinting the putty is an excellent strategy. Mixing dry pigments into the WoodEpox before application creates a colored base that is much easier to stain, especially when matching darker woods. Always test your custom color mix on a sample first.
Conclusion
The artistic possibilities of finishing WoodEpox are virtually endless, making it the perfect stainable epoxy wood filler for any project. With a little testing and the right technique, you can create strong, durable, and beautifully blended repairs. Always follow label and tech sheet instructions for best results. If you have questions about finishing your project, contact us today.
