Stain's and Dye's

[John933]

What is the difference between Stain's and dye. I see them. But to me they do both the same job.
John933

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Typically, the terms are used inexactly by most UK based manufacturers and users. However, in my training there was a distinct difference between the two, and Americans, for instance, retain the division in their language about these colourants.

Dyes are colourants that dissolve completely in the solvent - basically, there are no solids in a dye because it's a solution.

Stains contain insoluble pigments suspended in a liquid carrier, e.g., oil, water, alcohol, etc, plus a binder to bond the pigments to the wood, e.g., linseed oil or varnish. Many stains also contain dye, hence the name dye stain often seen.

Here in the UK you need to read the instructions on the container to work out what's in the colourant because the label on the front isn't usually particularly descriptive, or at least that's my opinion, which probably doesn't matter much. Nearly everything here is called 'stain', although sometimes you'll see 'dye' or 'dye stain'. But if you read the application instructions and they say something like "Stir the contents thoroughly before and during application to mix the contents fully", you're dealing with a (pigmentented) stain. The absence of such instructions indicate you're working with a dye (which doesn't need stirring) because the colouring matter of dye never settles out. Slainte.

 

[marcros]

For dye, think tea. Whoever you do you cannot separate the tea element from the water.

For stain, think paint. If you could filter or strain it, it is possible to separate the solid from the solvent. Perhaps not at home but a chemist could.

 

[iNewbie]

...and to add to the above: Look Here