Classic Gray by Minwax is my favorite gray toned stain on oak! This is a great option if you want to take oak wood and transform it to have more of a cool tone to it. Classic Grey Stain by Minwax was one of my favorite gray stains that I tested. I used two coats to really enhance the gray color that the stain provided. 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. Despite being dark, it is very transparent and still lets the grain of the wood fully appear. It settles really nicely into the lines of grain, making them extra dark. This may not be a big issue for a new red oak floor with fewer nail holes, but for traditional hardwood floors with narrow planks and closely spaced nail holes, it was a concern.

The grain patterns in oak wood vary significantly, ranging from straight and uniform to wild and pronounced. These unique characteristics make oak an excellent choice for staining and finishing, adding depth and dimension to the overall appearance. Whether making furniture, installing flooring, or building cabinetry, choosing the right stain and finish can bring out oak wood's natural beauty.Dark Walnut by Minwax is my favorite option if you want to stain oak wood dark. Dark walnut is a really rich, chocolatey brown stain color. However, we found that staining the floors slightly darker, combined with balancing out the redness to achieve a more neutral light brown color, which fit our vision much better. Plus, the darker stain helped to hide dirt and wear-and-tear more effectively, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas. Key factors to consider when choosing stain When going for water-based products, grey wood stain is the best choice for interior staining. When staining indoor furniture, let the stain soak in and remove the excess. Also, wait for a perfect time to give a second coat for the desired look. When it comes to grey wood stains, it gives astonishing looks to the interior. Exterior Grey Wood Stain Instead of going for a grey wood stain that costs too much money, you can try some home remedies in staining the wood grey. All you need is to get a paintbrush that you must already have for staining purposes. Get a mason jar from a nearby store, and it must have a lid as well to perfectly close its opening. Now add some water, white vinegar, and steel wool to the jar. Let the mixture do its job for a while. Remove the steel wool instantly for the lighter color. Give a few days to get the silver-grey color. Now brush the mixture on wood to naturally stain grey wood. How Do You Stain Dark Wood to Grey?

There wasn’t much of a “wow” factor with this test; however, some of the stain was able to settle into the grain as a light-brown tint. Projects with Poplar Wood: You don't have permission to access "http://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Wood-Finish-Weathered-Oak-Oil-based-Interior-Stain-Actual-Net-Contents-32-fl-oz/999914515" on this server. Use a putty knife to ensure the paste is flush on the wood surface, and leave it to dry once you are done with this step. The product is high coverage and dries to the touch in just an hour. You can apply the stain with a paintbrush, but we recommend rubbing it onto the wood with a cotton cloth. I honestly love the natural rich color of oak wood and don’t like to cover it up with a dark stain. For that reason, I prefer stains that are transparent or in the least semi-transparent.Don’t be afraid to create a custom color with stain colors you already like to create the PERFECT stain color for your next DIY project. Also, here is a video summary of the gray wood stains that I did more recently, which includes a 6th gray stain color!

A printable version of this tutorial and step by step video are at the bottom of this post!* 1. Stain your wood In case you are not familiar of DuraSeal, they are the professional line of Minwax. So most of the time, the stain color stay consistent between these two lines. Red oak floors have beautiful wood grain and are quite durable, but it can also present a challenge for homeowners due to their natural red hues. Selecting the right stain color is crucial to achieve a beautiful and neutral flooring aesthetic. As flooring takes up a significant surface area in any room, it plays a key role in the overall design of your home.Water-based poly is safe to use over lighter woods, like maple, as it will remain clear for the lifetime of the project.