Stains

Stains provide color to the piece. However, they are not necessary. If you are looking for a light or natural color, you can skip the staining process and just apply the finish coating. Even a "natural" stain will slightly change the look of your wood.

Note: Colors will vary depending upon type of wood. Wood species with strong grain lines will show deeper color absorption than ones without. Typically Pine absorbs stains the least.

 

If you find a color at a local hardware store that you love, send the brand and color in a message to me and I'll see if I can purchase it near me.

Finish

Poly

Most cabinet doors finished with a Polyurethane (Poly) to seal the piece. These vary in level of gloss based on personal preference. Epoxy can also be applied if you're looking for a very shiny look.

Epoxy

Epoxy provides a seal that is extremely thick and glossy. It is 2-3x as expensive as your typical Poly but provides a much shinier look than a Gloss.