Cabot's Stain And Varnish Water Based Questions & Answers
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Hello, I am applying Cabot's Stain And Varnish Water Based to a set of pine dining chairs, which I sanded down to raw wood. Colour is coming nicely after 2 coats. But it is tricky to apply with brush to the rounded areas and carved areas. I am getting streaks and uneven colour in these areas. Any advice on applying to curves and carved areas, please? Thank you.
Be careful to paint away from corners and sharp angles in the carved areas.
Hello Tenicia, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. Streaks are usually caused by the brush bristle outer edges tacking off a touch which then leaves a streak in the wet stain & varnish application as they're going. So it's important to keep a bristle-clean comb handy to run through the brush along with a bucket of water in order to keep the bristles nice, clean, soft and damp during the process. For round sections its about not over-applying to many times and making sure the brush or nap roller has a nice wet edge sustained. The damp clean nap roller would be a possible option for tricky curved sections, perhaps, but very difficult to assess the specific surface detail site unseen. So best to first test via both brush and nap roller options.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
What do you use to thin down the stain because of thickness?
Water.
Hello there AI M, Thank you for reaching out via Cabot’s Product Review. The Cabot’s Stain & Varnish water-based can be thinned down with some clean water using a separate clean paint tub with a lid. Please be sure not to add more than 5-10% water to 1L of stain or stain & varnish,as it can compromise the protective finish if thinned down too much. Please be sure to stir through thoroughly, according to the volume needed for the timber coating project you have. Also,be sure to test coat over a clean dry offcut or small hidden section of timber surface,just to make sure you’re happy with the dry test coated result before committing to an expanse.
If you have any further questions about this or any future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST. For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join Cabot's Live Chat service via our Cabot's website - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot’s – Australia
I bought maple waterbased stain and varnish, trying to match the raw hardwood reveals of a new window to the existing Golden tas oak trim in rest of the room. I sanded and cleaned off timber thoroughly, then mixed product thoroughly, applying quickly with a brush. After a single coat the colour is too dark and almost a blotchy black along the timber edges. How can I remove this back to raw Tas Oak. I tried sanding, then Norglass Orange Peel stripper, which did help. I've sanded the timber again twice with 80 then 120 grit, and it finally looked a clean timber colour, but the minute I used a damp rag (50:50 turps/water) to clean sanding dust off, the black discolouration came back, and wiping just spread it around. It just looks terrible, and I am probably going to have to sand it all off again. I just wanted to add a slight golden hue, before clear coating with poly. Any suggestions?
Hello Jenny, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via Product Review. So sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the results of our Waterbased Stain and Varnish It is a little tricky to assess the issue over this platform. In order to understand far more detail about the specifics of your project, we would need to ask you a few questions so as to find the potential reasons, and more importantly a solution.
If you wish, feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006 and quote your ticket number "764362 " to our Cabot’s technical consultant that takes your call.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
I used this product but my colour choice was wrong, too orangy with my wood. Can i put the liming white on top to soften the orangy tone? Thanks
I wouldn't muck around with that product cos it will just stay orange cos you may have bad product like I did twice! Try get it off and start sgain
Hi Alina it will look like orange timber that has been lime washed. It would be better to remove it and use the colour you want.
Hello Alina Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. If you have used our Stain and Varnish Water Based and have found the colour is not to your liking, we would not recommend going over it in this way as there is no way to guarantee that it would soften the orange tone. It would be wiser to remove the current coating and choose another colour, being sure to test it on a small unseen area before committing to the whole expanse to be sure you are happy with it.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
What makes this product go streaky I have just down our floors and it looks terrible it’s on hardwood
Yes that's because these days it is a crap product and that's wot it does!! My 11 doors are the same and wish the joiner told me first that use only a sponge and continual swipe! I also have had 2 faulty tins. Cabots NZ said they sent a voucher but No and 7 times sent letters and photos for refund but heard nothing! Don't use this product
Agree with the above. I have had great success with this product on everything except floors.
Hello Tammy Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. It is a little tricky to assess over this platform without knowing the surface specifics of the timber you are coating. It sounds like there may have been unequal porosity in the surface which can result in a patchy/streaky stain and varnish finish. There are methods to rectify this, but we would need some more information in order to assist you further.
Please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
Hi can I thin Cabots water based stain and varnish. The varnish gets tacky very quickly during application on a cedar door giving a streaky finish. I am applying in cool conditions with temp around 15deg celsius. Thank you.
Hi David yes I have thinned this by about 10% many times for the first coat when finishing doors, seemingly without any problems. You can sometimes get some grain rise depending on the timber but lightly sand with 240# paper before the next coat to remedy this. Hope this helps.
Hello David Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. We do not recommend thinning this product, as it can affect the performance of the product. If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
I dropped few drops of Water based stain and Varnish my wooden table by mistake. What is the best way to remove those drops?
Metho or orange power sticky remover will lift water based easily, just wipe the residue off with water straight after using the metho
Hello Nagendra Singh Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. We recommend using Methylated Spirits to remove this. If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
someone had used the bench top as a cutting board, so I sanded the marks out, then thought about the recoating. It was a water-based stain and varnish originally and had clear varnish recoat over the years. Would I get away with a stain and varnish in the sanded areas followed by a clear varnish over the whole benchtop?
Hello MB1066 Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. It is a little tricky to assess this issue over this platform. When working with stains, patch repairing can be quite difficult as colour consistency is hard to get accurate. You are best off sanding back the entire benchtop and recoat the whole surface.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
I’m using Cabot’s water based stain and varnish on a chair shall I sand back between coats and how many coats shall I do ? Much appreciated as I’m learning as I go and need the advice thank you
Hi Kay, Thank you for reaching out to us at Cabot’s via Product Review with your query. When using our Water Based Stain and Varnish, we recommend sanding between coats using 240 grit sandpaper. The product requires 3 coats, however, If the desired colour is achieved after 1 or 2 coats, use Cabot's Cabothane Clear Water-Based to complete the 3 coat system.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST. For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
I am looking for a limeing white stain for exterior use on Australian hardwoods. Would you please recommend a product.
Hard to do that - Sikkens HLSE Silver Grey doesn’t really look like limewash and you MUST overcoat it with their Filter 7 Clear Coat - this could mean 3 coats in total. Cabots and Wattyl only offer decking stains. Neither offers anything that will look like limewash over hardwood and I’ve used their water based decking products - they’re great but nowhere near durable enough for cladding. You could dilute Wattyl Solarguard and make fake limewash but Wattyl would never recommend it as the pigment in that paint is what protects the timber so diluting it would void any warranty. There might be something on the display boards in the stain aisle at Bunnings I can’t recall (I’m in lockdown). If you can get to a store look at all those swing out sample boards. The Wattyl / Dulux / Cabots helplines are usually staffed by people who have never painted a house in their life - I’ve never found them useful. If there is a Trade Centre for any brand in your town go in and ask even if you aren’t a tradie. They should know more. Go sometime in the middle of the day after their trade customers have been and it is quieter. Sorry I can’t give you a better answer. Some risk with this. You do need an expert here.
I may have it. Intergrain is a premium quality Trade product. I have talked to the Dulux rep about it in the past. (A very long conversation about poor application and clear finishes and much more) They do have 2 colours that might work. However I will be rude and say - follow the bloody instructions. If they say 3 coats is better then do it (at least on the northern and western sides). Ozzie sun is brutal and the thickness of the paint film makes a big difference so make sure the edges of the boards get a good coating. Edges and joins are usually where the paint fails first. And spray the entire house with anti mould well before hand and wash it. Mould also makes paint fail early. This not a job you want to do twice.
Hi there Dean, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review. I’m afraid we don’t carry a traditional exterior Liming White stain in our current range. The only option I could suggest as an alternative is slightly diluting down the Cabot’s Deck & Exterior Stain water based in one of the lighter colours, or our sister brand Intergrains UltraDeck Timber Stain water based, in one of the two white based stain colour options. Just be sure not to dilute over 5% per litre,as it can compromise the protective barrier specifically formulated.
For this or any future Cabot's projects please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006 Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice,please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
Is it important to let new deck boards "cure" before applying deck stain? If so, how long should I wait before applying the stain? I have used cabot on "older" deck boards and am now going to stain replacement new boards. Great product!
Hi Dave, Thank you for contacting Cabot’s via Product Review, and we are glad to hear you are happy with your experience! We are assuming you are using the Cabot's Deck and Exterior Stain over your exterior decking boards.
When applying a coating to new decking boards, they have to be allowed 4-6 weeks to weather. After this weathering period, they will need to be cleaned with Cabot’s Deck Clean to remove any contaminates from the surface before staining.
The alternative is to clean them down with Cabot’s New Timber Prep which allows you to skip the recommended timber weathering period. Just remember to always follow Cabot’s New Timber Prep with Cabot’s Deck Clean as per label instructions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For more immediate woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link Kind regards, Stevie – Team Cabot’s
Hi, I have just stained my interior wood around the doors and it's still tacky after 3 days how to fix this, please. I did buy the stain a few years back and never be open until this week stain looks good and did paint on good but still is tacky?
I’ve just applied the stain & varnish water based to a pine table that I had sanded back to the raw wood. I have brush marks left after the first coat. What is the best way to remove these, will a light sand remove the marks? And what is the best way to avoid them for future applications? Thanks, Kate
Hello there Kate, When it comes to Cabot's water-based Stain & Varnish or standard water-based paint applications it can get a little tricky at times with shortening off the brush. This means the volume being delivered by the loaded brush is starting to dry on the bristle quite fast and hence the stroke is shortened to some extent over the surface, depending on the surface/air temperature on application which has a greater effect on water based coating drying times. Sanding back with a fine 300 grit sandpaper can reduce the brush marks a little ,but applying a little technique called Tipping Off helps you create smaller brush marks that are able to lay down a nicer coating, resulting in a smoother finish.
Brush Tipping Off Technique - So work in small sections and apply the paint/stain quickly to the surface. Once the area is covered with paint/stain, pull your brush across it at an angle about 45 degrees to the grain of the wood and then very lightly run your brush the length of the section across the stain, straightening out the line. From there, leave it to lay down. This should achieve a lovely,smooth and even Cabot's Stain & Varnish finish for you. Also note - It's equally important that you have a constant wet-edge on your brush,in order to apply the nice and even stain result using the Tip-Off technique outlined.
Many thanks for your enquiry and all the best with your Cabot's project. Kindest Regards, Vinnie :) The Cabot's Team
Is this stain food safe? I want to stain a chopping board.
That's a definite no to that! Many far more suitable products for that job ...
I definitely would not use this product on a chopping board. I suggest you 'google' (search internet) using something like how to maintain a chopping board you will find many web sites which will explain.
Hi Lee, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot's, in relation to your question unfortunately none of the Cabot's products are food safe! We do not recommend using Cabot's Stain & Varnish on your chopping board.
If you need any further assistance on any up-coming projects, give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
Regards, Team Cabot's
Thank you all.
We have applied 3 coats Cabot’s water based stain, the last coat was applied 24 hours ago and it’s still not dry. Is there any way we can speed it up
Hello Thomai, Could you please give us a call on 1800 011 006 - we need to ask you a few questions to try and help you find a solution and find out why the coating has not dried. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm AEST.
Cheers - Team Cabot's
Have just done a test patch on floor with walnut satin and 1coat is perfect colour. Can you please advise if the clear top coat is necessary as the front of the tin says no topcoat required?
Hi Deb, Thank you for contacting Cabot's. In regards to your question as you have applied Cabot's Stain & Varnish Water Base on the timber floor due to foot traffic, it's highly recommended to apply two coats of the Water Base CFP Floor clear over the thoroughly dried stain colour.
If you need any further assistance on any up-coming projects, give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
Regards, Team Cabot's
Hi, I’ve used the stain and varnish on a computer desk. Quite happy with the results however it feels dry to the touch and has been 4 days since I applied the coats, but things placed on it seem to stick to The surface, like the keyboard, paper etc. not like glue, but just a little tacky. Is there a cleaner I should apply , or a finish? Regards Paul
Hi Paul, Glad to hear that you're happy with the results on of Stain and Varnish! While the coating may feel dry to the touch - it still has not fully cured yet. This process can take 7-14 days. There is nothing you can apply to accelerate this process, it just needs some more time. After this time, if you're still experiencing this, please give us a call on 1800 011 006 so we can discuss this further with you. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm AEST.
Thanks, Team Cabot's
Thanks Leah, I'll give it a couple of weeks and see how it is, Cheers
Can I dilute water based stain varnish so that it will not dry too quickly leaving brush marks?
You should be able to dilute with water if its water based. Use mineral turps if its oil based. Cabots dont recommend it but try a little bit in a container first to see if it thins or seperates. BTW i dont like Cabots at all, Feast Watson make a much better product
Thank you so much. Shall make it Feast Watson next time, have to use what I have already bought for now. Thanks again.
Hi Walter, Whist we do not recommend diluting, you can dilute the water based Stain & Varnish using water. Start with small amounts, but please do not add more than 10% of water to the coating. One way to help combat brush marks is to use a good quality synthetic brush and don't apply the coating too sparingly. Tip off the coating and try not to play around with it too much, as these coatings do self level slightly.
If you would like to discuss this further, or need any advice on an up-coming project, give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm AEST.
Cheers - Team Cabot's
Hi Leah, Thank you for your advice. Shall give it a try.
Hi, I’ve stained my deck but it rained within 6 hrs and there are water marks. How do we remove the water marks? Stella
Hi there Stella, Best to give us a call on 1800 011 006, as we will need to ask you a few questions first to determine how you can most effectively remove those water marks. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm AEST.
Cheers - Team Cabot's
Colour chart plea se
Hi Jayross,
Sure thing, attaches is the Interior Project Guide. All of the colours shown on page 12 and 13 are available in the Cabot's Stain and Varnish Water based.
external link
Cheers
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