Water-based finishes offer several advantages in the home workshop. They dry quickly, have relatively little odor compared with many solvent-based finishes, and cleanup is usually as simple as soap and water.
They also have another characteristic that's sometimes an advantage and sometimes a drawback: Water-based finishes generally don't add much amber color to the wood.
That's great when you want to preserve the light, natural appearance of a species such as maple. But on other projects, the result can look a little pale compared with the warmer appearance produced by finishes such as varnish or shellac.
Fortunately, you don't have to give up the benefits of a water-based topcoat just to get richer color.
Here are three ways to do it.
Why Water-Based Finish Can Look Different
Many traditional finishes change the appearance of wood as soon as they're applied. They can deepen the color and give the surface a warmer tone.
A clear water-based finish adds much less of this color on its own. As a result, the wood underneath plays a much larger role in the final appearance.
This gives you an opportunity to control the color separately from the protective topcoat. You can stain the wood first, add a thin coat of wiping varnish to warm the surface, or introduce color with dye.
Woodsmith Tip: Make a Finish Sample First. Whenever you're combining coloring and finishing products, test the entire finishing schedule on scrap from the project first. Apply every step — including the final water-based topcoat — so you're judging the finished result rather than the color of an individual layer.
Option 1: Add Color with an Oil-Based Stain
One straightforward approach is to stain the wood before applying the water-based topcoat.
The stain provides the color that the clear water-based finish doesn't add by itself. This gives you considerable control over the final appearance while still allowing you to take advantage of a fast-drying water-based topcoat.
After applying the stain, wipe away the excess and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the water-based finish.
Because formulations and drying requirements vary, follow the directions for both products when combining an oil-based stain with a water-based topcoat.
This method makes the most sense when you want to make a noticeable change to the overall color of the wood.
Option 2: Warm the Wood with Wiping Varnish
If you like the natural color of the wood but simply want to give it a little more warmth and depth, another option is to start with a thin coat of oil-based wiping varnish.
The wiping varnish enhances the color of the wood before the clear water-based topcoats are applied.
It also seals the surface, helping reduce the grain raising that can occur when water contacts bare wood.
The goal isn't to build a heavy varnish film. You're using a thin coat primarily to enhance and seal the wood before moving on to the water-based finish.
Allow the varnish to dry as directed before applying the next finish.
Woodsmith Tip: Think in Layers. A finish doesn't have to come from a single can. One product can provide the color and another can supply the protective topcoat. The important part is making sure each layer is dry and compatible with the next.
Option 3: Add Dye for More Color
A third option is to use dye concentrate to introduce color.
It doesn't take much dye to produce a noticeable difference. Even a small amount can dramatically change the appearance of a clear water-based finish.
This approach lets you fine-tune the color while retaining the advantages of the water-based finish.
Because dye products and compatible finishes vary, follow the dye and finish manufacturers' recommendations for mixing and compatibility. And measure carefully when making a test batch so you can reproduce the color when you're ready to finish the project.
Which Method Should You Use?
If you want a significant color change, stain gives you the most straightforward approach. If the wood already looks good and simply needs more warmth, try the wiping varnish method. And when you want greater control over the exact color, dye gives you another option.
Don't Overlook the Advantages of a Clear Finish
Not every project needs additional color.
One of the advantages of a clear water-based finish is precisely what can sometimes seem like its weakness: It changes the natural color of the wood very little.
On a light-colored project where you want to avoid an amber cast, that's a useful characteristic.
But when the wood needs a little more warmth, there's no reason to abandon a water-based topcoat. Treat the color and protection as two separate parts of the finishing process and you can get the appearance you want along with the fast drying and easy cleanup of a water-based finish.
Not Sure Which Finish to Use?
Color is only one factor when choosing a finish. Durability, appearance, application method, and how the project will be used all play a role.
Our guide to choosing the best wood finish compares your options and helps you decide which one makes sense for your next project.
EXPLORE WOOD FINISH OPTIONS → Best Wood Finish: How to Choose the Right Finish for Any Project
