Wood Varnish & Oil

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PLYWOODETC

Wood Care & Finishing

Wood Varnish, Oils, Stains & Finishes

The right finish can change both the appearance and performance of timber. Plywood Etc stocks a selected range of wood oils, varnishes, stains and protective finishes for plywood, furniture, worktops, decking, doors, joinery and other timber surfaces.

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Warm Stone - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

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£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Parsonage Cream - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Oak - Royal Interior Wood Stain

Protek Products

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

In stock

Bring the exceptional quality of our outdoor formula inside. This premium micro-porous finish delivers stunning, long-lasting colour for interior w...

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£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

Violet - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Primrose - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Pale Sage - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Seaweed - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Shearwater - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Fire Brick - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Dark Oak - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Protek Cranberry Crush Wood Stain Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Lilac - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Peacock Blue - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Golden Oak - Royal Interior Wood Stain

Protek Products

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

In stock

Bring the exceptional quality of our outdoor formula inside. This premium micro-porous finish delivers stunning, long-lasting colour for interior w...

View full details

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

Fire Engine Red - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Gun Metal Grey - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Protek Cedar Wood Stain Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Grass Green - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Protek Charcoal Wood Stain Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Poppy - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Mustard Yellow - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Hazelnut - Royal Interior Wood Stain

Protek Products

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

In stock

Bring the exceptional quality of our outdoor formula inside. This premium micro-porous finish delivers stunning, long-lasting colour for interior w...

View full details

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

Gold - Wood Stain & Protect

Protek Products

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

In stock

Protek Wood Stain & Protect - Garden Colour All Year Round The perfect all-round outdoor wood stain that combines beautiful colour with reliabl...

View full details

£3.30 - £169.80

£3.30

Mahogany - Royal Interior Wood Stain

Protek Products

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

In stock

Bring the exceptional quality of our outdoor formula inside. This premium micro-porous finish delivers stunning, long-lasting colour for interior w...

View full details

£3.96 - £289.20

£3.96

Not sure which type of finish you need? Use our simple guide below to narrow down the options.

Plywood Etc Finish Finder

What Are You Finishing?

Open the option closest to your project for some practical guidance.

Plywood

Plywood finish:

Oil, stain or varnish can all be suitable depending on the face veneer, intended use and appearance required. Decorative plywood such as oak-faced or birch plywood should be tested on an offcut first.

Furniture

Furniture finish:

Oil can give a natural appearance, stain can add colour and varnish can provide a more substantial protective surface. Consider how much handling and wear the furniture will receive.

Worktops

Worktop finish:

Choose a product specifically suitable for worktops and the timber being treated. Worktops experience regular handling, moisture and cleaning, so product suitability is particularly important.

Interior Timber

Interior timber:

Oil, stain and varnish are all possibilities. Choose according to whether you want to enhance the timber, add colour or create a more protective surface.

Exterior Timber

Exterior timber:

Use a product specifically designed for external use. Outdoor timber is exposed to moisture, sunlight and changing temperatures, so an interior finish should not automatically be used outside.

Decking

Decking:

A decking-specific treatment is generally the sensible starting point because decking is exposed to weather, moisture, dirt and foot traffic. Good preparation is particularly important.

Doors & Joinery

Doors and joinery:

Choose an interior or exterior finish according to where the timber will be used. Check that the product is suitable for the particular timber and environment.

Not Sure

Start with three questions:

Is the timber indoors or outdoors? How much wear will it receive? Do you want a natural, coloured or clear appearance? These three points will usually narrow down the type of finish you need.

Choosing Your Finish

Oil, Varnish, Stain or Exterior Treatment?

These products are not interchangeable. The best choice depends on the timber, the environment and the result you want.

Wood Oil

Often selected where a natural timber appearance is important. Common applications include furniture, worktops and interior timber.

Varnish

Forms a protective coating over timber and can be useful where a surface needs additional resistance to everyday wear.

Wood Stain

Adds or enhances colour while providing the level of protection specified by the individual product.

Exterior Finish

Designed for timber exposed to weather, moisture and sunlight. Always check that the product is suitable for exterior use.

Quick Comparison

Wood Finish Comparison

Finish	Main purpose	Typical appearance	Common uses
Oil	Enhances and protects suitable timber.	Natural or enriched.	Furniture, worktops and interior timber.
Varnish	Creates a protective surface coating.	Clear, matt, satin or other sheen.	Furniture, joinery and interior surfaces.
Wood Stain	Adds or changes colour with product-specific protection.	Coloured or translucent.	Interior or exterior timber depending on product.
Exterior Treatment	Protects suitable timber exposed to weather.	Clear or coloured.	Sheds, fencing, cladding, gates and garden furniture.
Decking Finish	Designed for exposed outdoor timber.	Clear or coloured.	Decking and other outdoor timber.

Plywood Etc Advice

Finishing Plywood

Plywood can be finished with oil, stain or varnish depending on the face veneer, intended use and appearance required.

Test the finish on an offcut first.
Prepare and sand the surface appropriately.
Pay particular attention to exposed edges.
Check the product is suitable for the environment.

Before You Start

Always Test Your Finish

Oak, birch plywood, softwood and other timber surfaces can react differently to the same finish.

A small test area lets you check the colour, sheen and final appearance before finishing the complete project.

Plywood Etc Stocks Protek

Protek Wood Stains & Protective Finishes

Protek produces a range of water-based wood stains and protective finishes for different timber applications. Its range includes products for interior timber, exterior timber and decking.

Royal Interior

Designed for suitable interior timber including furniture, doors, skirting, kitchen units and joinery.

Royal Exterior

Suitable for external timber including doors, gates, cladding, summerhouses and garden furniture.

Decking Stain

Designed specifically for decking and outdoor timber exposed to weather and foot traffic.

Wood Stain & Protect

A multipurpose exterior timber coating for adding colour and protection.

Clear Finishes

Suitable where retaining more of the natural appearance of timber is important.

Restol Wood Oil

Protek identifies Restol Wood Oil as an oil-based alternative to its water-based range.

Visit Protek Website

Plywood Etc Project Guide

How Much Wood Finish Do I Need?

There isn't one coverage figure that applies to every wood finish. Timber porosity, preparation, product type and number of coats all affect how much you will use.

6 m² per litre Heavy coverage

A useful allowance for rough, porous or thirsty timber and first coats where coverage is lower.

8 m² per litre Typical guide

A useful starting point for many timber coatings. Protek Royal is approximately 8m² per litre depending on the timber.

10 m² per litre Higher coverage

More appropriate as a planning figure for smoother, prepared timber where the product specifies a higher coverage rate.

Simple Coverage Calculation

Surface area × number of coats ÷ coverage per litre = approximate litres required.

For example, a 2.4m × 1.2m surface is 2.88m². Two coats gives 5.76m² of total coverage. At 8m² per litre, this would require approximately 0.72 litres, so a 1 litre container would normally be the practical minimum.

Always check the manufacturer's stated coverage for the exact product. Protek Royal guidance gives approximately 6–10m² per litre per coat depending on timber moisture content and porosity.

Before Applying

Preparing & Applying Wood Finish

Prepare

Make sure the timber is clean, dry and suitably prepared. Sand where required and remove dust.

Apply

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application method, coverage, drying time and number of coats.

Dry

Allow the finish to dry and cure as specified before putting the timber into heavy use.

Check

Test the complete finishing system on an offcut first where the final appearance is important.

Plywood Etc Answers

Wood Finish FAQs

What is the difference between wood oil and varnish?

Oil is generally absorbed into suitable timber and is often selected for a natural appearance. Varnish forms a coating over the surface and can provide additional resistance to everyday wear and moisture.

Can you varnish plywood?

Yes. Suitable plywood can be varnished where the product is appropriate for the surface and intended application. Preparation is particularly important around exposed edges.

What is the best finish for plywood?

There is no single finish that is best for every plywood project. Oil, stain and varnish can all be suitable depending on the plywood, appearance required and expected wear or moisture exposure.

What is the difference between wood stain and varnish?

Wood stain is generally used to add or enhance colour, with protection depending on the individual product. Varnish primarily provides a protective surface coating.

Can wood stain be used outside?

Yes, provided the product is specifically designed for exterior use. Interior-only products should not automatically be used outdoors.

What finish should I use on decking?

A decking-specific treatment is generally the sensible starting point because decking is exposed to weather, moisture, dirt and foot traffic. Protek's application guide specifically stresses thorough preparation for decking.

Should I sand timber before staining?

Preparation depends on the condition of the timber and the product. Sanding is often part of preparing timber for finishing, but the manufacturer's instructions should always be followed.

How much wood finish do I need?

Work out the surface area, multiply by the number of coats and divide by the manufacturer's coverage figure. Remember that porous or rough timber can require more product.

Does clear wood stain stop timber going grey?

Not necessarily. Clear exterior finishes can provide protection while natural weathering still occurs. The result depends on the particular product and its UV protection.

What is the best finish for furniture?

It depends on the desired appearance and use. Oil can provide a natural appearance, stain can add colour and varnish can provide a more substantial surface coating.

Are Protek wood finishes water based?

Protek states that its main range is water based. It also identifies Restol Wood Oil as an oil-based alternative.

How many coats of Protek Royal should I apply?

Protek recommends two coats of Royal, with a further coat increasing colour density and sheen. Coverage varies with the timber and conditions.

Plywood Etc

Choosing the Right Wood Finish

Start with the timber and where it will be used, then consider the appearance and level of protection required. If you're unsure, check the individual product information and manufacturer's guidance before starting your project.

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Wood Varnish & Oil

Wood Varnish, Oils, Stains & Finishes

Filters

What Are You Finishing?

Oil, Varnish, Stain or Exterior Treatment?

Wood Oil

Varnish

Wood Stain

Exterior Finish

Wood Finish Comparison

Finishing Plywood

Always Test Your Finish

Protek Wood Stains & Protective Finishes

How Much Wood Finish Do I Need?

Simple Coverage Calculation

Preparing & Applying Wood Finish

Prepare

Apply

Dry

Check

Wood Finish FAQs

Choosing the Right Wood Finish

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