Wood stain

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Wood stain is a type of paint used to colour wood comprising colourants dissolved and/or suspended in a vehicle or solvent. Pigments and/or dyes are largely used as colourants in most stains.

The initial application of any paint or varnish is absorbed into the substrate similarly to stains, but the binder from a stain resides mainly below the surface while the pigment remains near the top or at the surface.