Varathane 381119 Water-Based Wood Stain Quart Dark Walnut

I used Varathane 381119 Water Based Wood Stain on a table I built, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. It went on smoothly, dried fast, and had very little odor, which made it easy to use indoors. The color came out even and clean, and it really brought out the grain in the wood. Overall, it was simple to work with and gave my table a solid, professional-looking finish.

Works great and great prices too. Cheaper than priced at the hardware stores. Love that it comes in the small can, so it can be easily used on smaller projects. Highly recommend! Dries almost clear. Has a small tint but much better than other products and water based, so very easy to clean up and won't yellow over time.

I just finished a desk build project where I integrated an epoxy resin river with LED lights. I wanted dark wood, but didn't want to break the bank on a walnut slab. So, I went with butcher block countertops from the big orange hardware store. They're made of hevea wood from Vietnam. Very solid, maple-like hardwood that's really inexpensive... but it's white wood. So, I wanted to stain the wood a dark walnut color. I did my due diligence and found out that you absolutely, positively must use water-based stain when it may come in contact with epoxy. Guess what my local big orange hardware store doesn't carry? Water-based stain... Amazon to the rescue. Not only does this go on really well and was the color I wanted (after a couple of coats), it is super easy to clean up! When I accidentally brushed some onto the epoxy, it was as simple as wiping it up with a damp towel. pay attention though... that wet towel dragged across the actual wood will pull up the stain. All in all, I'm really happy with the end result! (Side note: the pictures give the stain a slight yellow tint. It's a much deeper brown.)

Bought this as an external protectant for my above ground planters. I love the dark color! It coats very well, wipes away easily, dries very fast in the sun (VERY FAST). It smells like stain, but I did it outside and in CO there is always a wind of some sort so it wasn't all that bothersome. It cleaned up pretty easily as it's water based. All in all it was a good value. I used 2 of these to stain both planters. I'd use it again easily.

Looks more green than brown. It worked out okay because I sanded twice in between stains, and I didn’t use a brush but only lint free disposable cloths to apply and wipe off excess so that the stain would dry faster as well.