The 11 Best Dye Based Wood Stains (2022 reviews)

dye based wood stains
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We consider a dye based wood stain to be a worthy investment in the long run. Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best dye based wood stain for you.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: General Finishes Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Low Humidity:
Buy: General Finishes Regular Stain
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Best For Hardwood:
Buy: Keda Dye Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Cedar:
Buy: Varathane Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Ease Of Use:
Buy: Saman Linseed Oil
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Best For Good Quality:
Buy: Saman Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Beech Wood:
Buy: Transol Danish Oil
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Best For Use:
Buy: Liberon Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Food Grade:
Buy: Minwax Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Cherry:
Buy: Transol Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best For Even Distribution:
Buy: Colortone Dye Based Wood Stain
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Best Overall: General Finishes Dye Based Wood Stain

General Finishes Dye Based Wood Stain
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The look and feel of these stains are consistent with the high quality we're used to from the rest of General Finishes's lineup. The general finish dye - based wood stain really well and it works for light brown. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. These easy to use dyes can be used straight out of the can, or for custom finishes they can be diluted with the neutral base, water or intermixed with generals other water - based stains and finishes to create a full palette of colors and tones.

Above all, the general finish dye - based wood stain is designed to work like solvent-based stains.

Almost all buyers found that the stain is easy to use wood dye. And, they also found that the stain can be used on ceader chest. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best stain for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This can be when it comes to the way it takes stains and dyes.
  • Deep rich tones enhance wood grain.
  • This will last forever, and save so many hours waiting.
  • Can be applied with a foam brush, rag, pad applicator or spayed.

Best For Low Humidity: General Finishes Regular Stain

General Finishes Regular Stain
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The general finish regular stain is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily use. The General Finishes Regular Stains make for easy application and it is elegant. Combined with no sanding (your choice to sand or not) between coats and a quick “re-coat” time, you’ll be finished sooner with less effort and better results than ever before. The heavy bodied gel formulation permits the product to flow out evenly ( no drips or runs ) preventing uneven penetration for consistent color control.

The stain is very durable, is great for gallon size and it is made in rich brown. Lastly, the general finish regular stain is easier to apply and it is laminate.

Most buyers agree that the stain has only been 4 months but they look great. Moreover, a few also found that the stain is easy to use stain on banisters and rails. Also, a few say that the stain is great for updating old oak cabinets. In short, for most buyers, it was what they were looking for.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This can be used on a mid - century modern end table and looks great.
  • This covers well, is for wood furniture and it is perfect for high humidity.
  • This will work beautifully for a kitchen table.
  • This covers well with about 2 coats, definitely 3 coats.

Best For Hardwood: Keda Dye Dye Based Wood Stain

Keda Dye Dye Based Wood Stain
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Keda Dye line of stains comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Keda Dye Dye Based Wood Stain comes with great customer service and it is great for wood. Wood dye from keda dyes can make 5 quarts of liquid dye stain, in 5 exotic wood dye colors per kit. Moreover, it is incredible, is permanent and it is made for quick delivery.

The stain is made with great stuff, is great for very high quality dyes and it is very concentrated. Finally, the keda dye dye based wood stain works great, It is attractive and has a beautiful design.

Almost all buyers agree that the stain is not as opaque as stain, so the grain really pops. Moreover, a few say that the stain is a great value for the amount and quality included in the kit. And, a few strongly agree that the stain is easy to use, goes a long way, and lots of colors are possible by mixing.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • Wood dyes are eco-friendly, offer vibrant wood dye colors, and are very powerful.
  • This can be used on some pine tables.
  • This can use either water or ethanol or both as solvents.
  • This is one of the best dyes out there.

Best For Cedar: Varathane Dye Based Wood Stain

Varathane Dye Based Wood Stain
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The Varathane Dye Based Wood Stain is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily use. The varathane dye based wood stain is ideal for use on all interior wood projects. High performance stain system enhanced with nano pigment particles. Also, this is great for new wood and it is very dark brown.

The stain buy again and it is great with low odor. Lastly, the varathane dye based wood stain is expensive and it can get very little odor.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the stain is nice to have it thick, and not dripping everywhere. Also, they strongly agree that the stain takes time to achieve a true/deep stain. Further, they say that the finish is almost as good as it is on metal, depending on the smoothness of the wood. Obviously, this stain passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This takes too long to dry....sometimes more than 3 days.
  • It takes 2 coats in order to get a decent color.
  • It looks more blue than grey.
  • This is a very nice shade of weathered gray.

Best For Ease Of Use: Saman Linseed Oil

Saman Linseed Oil
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For a low asking price, Saman linseed oil has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. The Saman linseed oil went on smoothly is important and it is very smoothly. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, the stain is expensive, is great for cherry wood and it is made for ease of use.

The stain is used for high-quality products, works very well and it is brand new. In addition, it makes a real, is designed for relatively low odor and it is used for water repellant. Most importantly, the Saman linseed oil drys fast and it is very rich.

Almost all customers found that the stain does not work well at all on maple plywood. In addition, they strongly agree that the stain is great with a lacquer over the top. Furthermore, a few also found that the stain has definate blue undertones. So, customers were very happy to recommend it to friends and would-be buyers.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This works well that way too.
  • This is an option, if you live near the frontier.
  • The oil brought back the warmth and a gorgeous low sheen.
  • This is used for brush or sponge and it works well with low odor.

Best For Good Quality: Saman Dye Based Wood Stain

Saman Dye Based Wood Stain
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Saman line of stains comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Saman Dye Based Wood Stain is a safe to use product and it is brand new. Get the makeover you are dreaming of fast with Saman interior fine wood seal stain and vanish. Further, it is safe for pets and it is water resistant.

Lastly, the Japanese dye - basedwood stain is the preferred choice of professional woodworkers and diyers in North America.

"You can add a 2nd coat to darken and increase the sheen. " - says, one customer. Overall, most customers found the stain suits best, and no one questions it.

Why We Like This:
  • This is safe for the earth and it looks nice.
  • Seal, stain & vanish at the same time.
  • You can tell it’s a one - coat only, fast - action & odorless product.
  • This is an easy to use, high quality product.

Best For Beech Wood: Transol Danish Oil

Transol Danish Oil
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Not everyone likes to purchase stains for their regular usage, but Transol Danish oil would be an anomoly. The Transol Danish oil less is more and it really well. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, it is easy to clean and it is powerful.

The stain is super easy and it is vivid. Above all, the Transol Danish oil works very well, is perfect for good size and it is repeatable.

Almost all buyers opine that the stain will fade but be sure to use a finish treatment like spar urethane if your project will be outside. Moreover, they say that the stain includes the surrounding area if not covered. And, they also found that the stain is strong, so practice should be to progressively add stain to media to determine the degree of color and proper stopping point. Overall, buyers found this to be one of the best stains for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • These are the chemicals that were highly rated on their instruction sheets.
  • This is highly recommended and it works great.
  • This is everywhere and and wo wash off.
  • This can respond with a word of warning and it is pure.

Best For Use: Liberon Dye Based Wood Stain

Liberon Dye Based Wood Stain
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If you often find yourself scrambling for a convenient and suitable stain, Liberon Dye Based Wood Stain should be your first option for buying. In addition, the liberon dye based woodstain is a water-based, acrylic dye for colouring the interior of bare wood, whilst leaving the natural beauty of the grain visible. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, the stain can be mixed with liberon natural finish varnishes. Finally, the liberon dyebased wood stain looks amazing in golden pine color and is available in 4 other colorsso, it's likely one of your favorites is in the mix.

In short, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

Why We Like This:
  • This has a wood texture and it is important.
  • Water based dye for interior wood work.
  • Suitable for use on floors; suitable for use on both hard and soft wood.
  • En 71 approved – safe for toys, endorsed by the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

Best For Food Grade: Minwax Dye Based Wood Stain

Minwax Dye Based Wood Stain
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The Minwax Dye Based Wood Stain is capable of outshining several other stains featured in this list in overall features for the price point. The minwax dye based wood stain is manufactured in the United States. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, it coated well, went on easily and it read the directions.

The stain is a minwax water-based pre. Lastly, the minwax dye based wood stain is permanent and it works very well.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the stain is great on parawood, which is a wood that doesn't accept stain very well. And, a few strongly agree that the stain comes out very glossy, and shows a lot of the wood grain. And, a few say that the picture is an example of white stain on oak using the pre - stain. To sum up, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • Honestly, a ‘must have’ when wanting a quality finish on a guitar.
  • This covers well and it is dried quickly.
  • This will also depend on the hardness of the wood.
  • This allows for perfect staining and also works with interior or exterior stains.

Best For Cherry: Transol Dye Based Wood Stain

Transol Dye Based Wood Stain
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The Transol Dye Based Wood Stain has killer features for the price point. The transol dyebased woodstain finished a luggage cart and it works well on wood. There are 10 grams of each color per kit, and each color is in its own resealable bag. These dyes are suitable for use in solvent basedwood stains and other solvent mixtures.

The stain is great for a rustic look, it is pure and has a natural design. Finally, the transol dye based wood stain is inexpensive and it is very dark.

Most buyers opine that the stain takes a bit of experimentation but is much more cost - effective. In addition, a few say that the stain comes with five ingredients and it is also quite durable when coated with walnut oil. Also, a few also found that this finish will accept oil - based finishes, varathane, polymers and wax. So, customers were very happy to recommend it to friends and families.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • These dyes will not mix well in water-based coatings.
  • This can be mixed with denature alcohol to use on wood projects.
  • Single color kits are available for purchase as well.
  • Continue to add layers and rub with rottenstone until the desired color match is achieved.

Best For Even Distribution: Colortone Dye Based Wood Stain

Colortone Dye Based Wood Stain
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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Colortone Dye Based Wood Stain for regular use. The colortone dye based wood stain is true to tone and it allows for even distribution. For applying transparent color-tinted coats, colortone stains can be mixed directly into virtually any finish. These concentrated grain-enhancing stains are economical. Finally, the colortone dye based wood stain can be measured precisely for critical color matching—a plus for refinishing and touchup work.

Almost all buyers agree that the stain is perfect for the diy'ers or the professional, and after diluting it, it lasts for a long time. Moreover, they also found that the stain is the best stain for instrument building. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best stain for daily purposes.

Why We Like This:
  • One 2-ounce bottle makes two quarts of stain at normal concentration.
  • Colortone concentrated stains mix with virtually any finish, and are formulated specifically for luthiers.
  • Concentrated formula means a little goes a long way.