The paint coats the top of the wood while the dye penetrates the wood. The dye protects and preserves the beauty of wood compared to the paint that covers and hides it. The stain gradually wears out to cover it periodically. The dye is applied faster than the paint, because it is not always necessary to prime the surfaces first.
It usually only needs one layer. Unlike solid dye, paint has more color options and is available in various glosses. The dye has only a flat gloss and cannot be applied to a painted surface. However, the paint can be applied to wood and many other surfaces, such as plastic and stucco.
If you have a highly absorbent surface, you may need more stains than you planned. All dyes and paints are composed of pigments and are a vehicle for those pigments. The chemical composition of the liquid vehicle means that modern paints and dyes are very durable and can protect a surface, whether wood or some other material, very well. Both dyes and paints come in acrylic and oil varieties, and both types have advantages and disadvantages.
But this is where the similarity ends. The solid dye shows off all those beautiful grains of wood, as it soaks and has a flat finish. The paint provides more coverage for grains and other imperfections, as it is placed on top of the wood. The main difference between wood stain and paint that any carpenter should know is its application to wood.
The dye penetrates deep into the pores of the wood. On the other hand, the paint only covers the upper part of the wood. It means that, in the case of paint, it would be a layer of pigments on the wood. On the other hand, dye pigments penetrate deep into the pores of the wood and give the real color.
Another difference between these two products is that the dye will protect the wood from the elements, while the paint will not. Some woods simply don't hold the stain well and you won't see much difference after application. In fact, the stain will only last a few years at most, so you'll have to reapply it once a year. When you open a can of dye and a can of paint, you will immediately notice that the stain appears much thinner.
The dye is certainly attractive when used on natural wood surfaces, but the paint offers a wide variety of colors. Yes, it can be painted on stained wood even without sanding, but an oil-based primer may be needed to seal the wood. Although technically you can add dye directly to the wood, you'll get a great result if you first sand the wood. In short, painting wood can be time consuming and difficult, while staining it is generally much easier.
You can only apply dye to wood because of the way the dye seeps into the material itself. Translucent stains will allow wood grain to be seen through them, while opaque stains will give wood a color. The stain is always thinner than paint and when applied to a surface, it tends to penetrate the surface. The dye only protects the wood against moisture, while the paint protects against UV radiation and other external factors, which also keep the wood protected.
Wood dye basically contains color pigments that penetrate deep into the wood while giving it a natural appearance in addition to enhancing the original look and color. They also tend to show less wear and tear than stained cabinets, since paint protects wood better.
