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Looking for advice on Solid Color Stains

13 years ago

We're rebuilding our pergola. The rest of the house trim is white paint. The contractor suggested we might use a solid color stain. It's new to us, can you please comment as to which looks best in white and will last longer in mild climate (So.Calif)? Please note that CA has strict environmental controls and we're not able to use oil based paints that are more durable.

Thanks in advance!

Here is a link that might be useful: A similar type of Pergola

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Comments (5)

paintguy1
13 years ago
Think of solid stain as a thinner version of paint. It's opaque like paint, just not as thick a film so all things being equal, it typically will not last as long as paint. If it were me, I'd just prime and paint it with a high quality acrylic paint.
edgar.m
13 years ago
Since im from the east coast I have no clue as to what's available out in cali however flood makes a latex/ oil solid stain that last up to 15 yrs if that is not an option have you considered doing the "rafters" in a transparent stain and priming and painting the frame work and pillars or just the pillars to make it "pop"
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I maybe misinformed as to the formulation restrictions, but the formulations have definitely changed--all the painters/contractors/designers have told me that. The trim on our house used to last 8-10 years, now after two it has cracks. And that was done in summer 2006 (touched up in late 2008) with Dunn Edwards paint. Also this was the painter who did the best prep work we've ever had! Our designer said that she has a customer who leaves the state to buy his paint just to get the more durable formulation. Please tell me what to ask for. I've used BMoore paint for interior spaces, but agreed to go with Dunn Edwards for the exterior. Later on today I'll look at the cans and let you know what type of paint was used. I'd be grateful for more insight and direction! Thanks
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I think the Blue Spruce would be a nice choice , lighter than the other two which I find a bit dreary . As for the striping I assum you mean the trim I am not sure but maybe changing all of that to anatural cedar along with the garage door and trim at the entry might be nice
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claudialina10
13 years ago
I like Cabot's non-oil solid color stain. Used it on my back deck (I'm in upstate NY, with lots of snow so need lots of protection) and I love it. It's like paint, but won't peel.
cinnamonsworld
13 years ago
Well, I just for the first time tried out a stain... just on a small decoratively cut piece of cabinet wood ... to see if a black stain would look all that much different from black paint.

Based on what I saw, I'd say I'd definitely use a stain for your white wood project vs. paint it. Very different looks. One looks earthy, real and natural and the other looks like - well - paint. (Also, stain shouldn't peel!)

I don't know about outdoor stains, but have seen some in the aisles at Home Depot. The woodworking (indoor mainly) stains I was playing around with were from Minwax, which I see has some sort of a white pickling stain at the link I'm posting here.

I'd go browse that aisle at Home Depot, get a couple of 'stain chip' brochures and maybe a $5-10 can of whatever white stain (like woodworking, indoor) they have just to try on some piece of wood somewhere so you can see the effect and decide - whether that means you'll be buying an outdoor stain and doing it yourself or hiring a contractor to do it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Minwax stains - see the pickling white
compumom
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks to all for your input. I think we're going to go with the painted surface-- since it's attached to the house it would look odd next to painted wood trim.

I will research the paints and try to report back. If I forget, you can find me on the cooking forum! ;)

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