Best Stain for Maple Wood [2024 Review]

Jared Bauman

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Are you looking to change the aesthetic of your maple furniture? If you are, you’re probably wondering what the best stain for maple is.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Read on to learn more about five of the best maple stains available on the market in 2022.

Top 5 Maple Stain Reviews

Here are some of the best options available for you to choose from when deciding on a stain to buy for your maple surfaces:

Best Overall Option: SamaN Interior One Step Wood Seal, Stain, and Varnish

Whenever you see the SamaN brand name on a product, you know that you’re getting premier quality for your hard-earned money.

This company’s products are popular among professionals and DIY fanatics. The Interior One Step Wood Seal, Stain, and Varnish oil-based option is no exception.

Not only is this product incredibly durable, but it’s also easy on the environment and free of the risks that other wood stains pose. This is thanks to its odorless, low-VOC formula.

In addition to this, it’s super easy to use. All you’ll need is a foam brush to apply this stain to your maple wood surfaces. With every stroke, you can seal, stain, and varnish your wood at the same time.

To put the icing on the cake, there’s a bunch of color options to choose from. They include ebony, dark walnut, and prestige gray.

Pros

  • The odorless, low-VOC formula makes it safe around your family and pets
  • Simultaneously stains, seals, and varnishes
  • Plenty of color options are available, giving you added flexibility

Cons

  • Some users have experienced problems with adhesion when using this product on previously varnished surfaces

Best Budget Option: SaverSystems – #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain

If you want to stain a large surface area made of maple, then the SaverSystems’s #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is the way to go.

This water-based product is incredibly cost-effective and works perfectly with exterior surfaces such as fences, decks, and siding.

It doesn’t just act as a stain to add color, it also serves as a protective seal layer that shelters the maple wood from the elements. So, no need to worry about heavy rainfall damaging your fence or compromising the vibrancy of its color.

Furthermore, this product is semi-transparent. This is important because you can still see the beautiful underlying wood grain patterns even after you apply this stain. In turn, you get a finish that enhances your fence’s aesthetic.

Additionally, the #1 Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is water-based. This, along with its minimal VOC content, makes it a hazard-free, environmentally conscious option.

The water-based formula also makes this product much easier to clean than oil-based stains, such as the Minwax 22090.

Pros

  • A dual-purpose product that stains and seals
  • Comes in semi-transparent colors that allow the wood grain to still be visible
  • Has a VOC level of less than 50g/L, making it easy on the environment
  • Can be used on damp wood so you don’t need to wait for the wood to fully dry when prepping it for staining

Cons

  • You may need to use multiple layers to get the best result

Best Gel Stain Option: Minwax 26030 Gel Stain

The Minwax 26030 Gel Stain is another excellent option for your maple staining needs. This is especially true for vertical interior surfaces such as doors and cabinets.

The Minwax 26030 gel-based formula gives it a thick, viscous consistency. As a result, you’ll experience minimal dripping when using this product.

This gives you more control and a wider margin for error when applying it to your maple surfaces than the water-based General Finishes Wood Stain.

Additionally, this product is highly versatile. Its use isn’t just limited to wood, you can also use it on metal and fiberglass surfaces. In all cases, the thick body of this gel stain allows you to end up with an even finish that looks amazing.

In a similar fashion to SamaN, Minwax is a well-respected brand in wood care products, with over a century of experience. It also offers this product in 12 different colors, including antique maple and Brazilian rosewood.

Pros

  • Gel-based formula and thick consistency allow for minimal dripping
  • Versatile product that you can use on wood, metal, and fiberglass surfaces
  • Comes in a wide variety of colors

Cons

  • Contains a high level of VOCs
  • Must be applied outdoors for safety reasons

Alternative Water-Based Stain Option: General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain

If you prefer using a water-based stain for your maple surfaces, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than this one from General Finishes.

The General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain has excellent penetration. This allows it to cover up any imperfections in your maple furniture or fixings. It’s also highly convenient due to its rapid drying pace.

Additionally, the premium quality dye this stain uses makes for a vibrant finish that you’ll be satisfied with. This is not to mention the myriad of color options that General Finishes offers for this stain.

Similarly to the #1 Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain and the Interior One Step Wood Seal, Stain, and Varnish, this product contains negligible VOC levels. This makes it a safe, environmentally friendly option.

Pros

  • The water-based, low-VOC formula makes it green and safe to use
  • Strong penetration makes it last longer before needing to apply a new layer
  • Offers a variety of color options, including pecan, black, and espresso

Cons

  • Some users have noticed that some color options give a flatter finish than they’d like

Alternative Oil Stain Option: Minwax 22090 Natural Wood Finish Oil-Based Wood Stain

If you’re seeking all the perks that come with the Minwax brand name but want an oil-based maple stain instead, the Minwax 22090 Oil-Based Wood Stain is your best bet. I’m big fans of Minwax stains, and this is their classic product.

Like the #1 Deck Wood Stain, this product is semi-transparent. It adds color to your maple surface while maintaining the visibility of the grain patterns that give it its character.

Furthermore, this maple stain from Minwax has a wood penetration power as deep as any product in this guide. This contributes to the super-fast drying capability of this stain.

To put this into perspective, this maple stain achieves full penetration in five minutes and fully dries in no more than two hours.

To top things off, the Minwax 22090 is incredibly easy to use. All you’ll need is a clean cloth or wood stain brush. Apply the stain along the direction of the wood grain and you’re all set. If the resulting color isn’t as deep as you’d like, just repeat the previous step.

Pros

  • Takes only five minutes to penetrate the wood’s pores fully
  • The quick-drying formula makes it convenient and easy to use
  • Semi-transparent color highlights the wood grain and adds to the aesthetic

Cons

  • Lacks the protective features that many other stains have. This makes it unsuitable for outdoor use.

Why Use Maple for Woodworking Projects

Maple wood is well known in woodworking for its fine, uniform texture and consistent color. Some of the key characteristics of maple include:

  • Tight, uniform grain pattern: Maple has a closed grain pattern that is straight and even, making it an ideal choice for creating clean, smooth finishes.
  • Durability: Maple is a hard and dense wood that is known for its strength and stability, making it a good choice for heavy-use furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.
  • Light color: Maple ranges in color from creamy white to light reddish brown, making it a popular choice for projects where light, bright wood is desired.
  • Workability: Maple is easy to work with, whether by hand or machine, making it a versatile wood for woodworkers.
  • Responsiveness to finishing: Maple responds well to staining, painting, and other types of finishes wood, allowing woodworkers to customize the final appearance of their projects.

These qualities make maple a popular choice for many types of woodworking projects, from fine furniture to kitchen cabinets and flooring.

A brown wooden wall beside a green leafy plant in the garden

Maple Stain Features to Consider

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when deciding on a maple stain that’s right for you:

Color Options

The first thing you should look out for is the colors that a given maple wood stain comes in. some stains are excellent in terms of quality. However, the colors they’re available in may not be in line with what you have in mind for your home’s aesthetic.

VOC Content

Another factor to consider is the volatile organic compounds (VOC) levels in the stain’s formula. VOCs are a major health hazard.

The dangers they pose include eye, nose, and throat irritation, respiratory conditions, and nerve damage. In some cases, VOCs can also be carcinogenic.

Not only are VOCs detrimental to your health, but they’re also harmful to the environment. They produce ozone and are toxic substances that can negatively affect animal and plant life.

Therefore, you should always go for maple stains that contain minimal amounts of VOCs.

Indoor or Outdoor Use

Which maple stain is right for you will also depend on how you intend to use it.

Different maple stains are designed for different purposes. Therefore, the ideal stain to use with your indoor furniture will differ from the optimal one for your backyard fence.

If you plan on using a maple stain for an outdoor surface, make sure to get one that acts as a sealant for the wood. This helps protect the wood from the elements.

A silver laptop and office supplies were placed on top of a wooden table

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maple Wood Absorb Stain Well?

Maple wood is known for its uniform and tight grain pattern, which can make it more challenging to absorb stain evenly. However, with proper preparation and the right type of stain, maple can take stain well and produce a beautiful result.

It is important to choose a high-quality stain that is compatible with maple wood, and to prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and applying a pre-stain wood conditioner to help reduce blotching and ensure an even color.

Additionally, applying multiple thin coats of stain can help achieve a more consistent color on the maple surface.

Is It Easier to Stain Maple or Oak?

Staining maple is tougher than oak, but can produce better results. Maple is known for its uniform and tight grain pattern, which can make it more difficult to absorb stain evenly. Oak, on the other hand, has an open grain pattern that can make it easier to stain, but can also result in more blotching and streaking if not prepared properly.

Ultimately, the ease of staining depends on various factors, including the quality of the wood, the type of stain, and the skill and experience of the person staining the wood.

Should Maple Be Sealed Before Staining?

You need to seal maple wood before staining to help ensure an even and consistent color. Sealing helps to reduce the absorption of the stain, which can result in a more uniform color and help prevent blotching and streaking. A clear sealer can be applied with a brush, rag, or sprayer and allowed the sealer to dry completely before staining.

Conclusion

If you’ve grown bored with the color of your maple furniture, you probably want to mix things up. Therefore, you’re likely to be in search of the best stain for maple surfaces.

If you’re looking for an oil-based stain, then the SamaN Interior One Step Wood Seal, Stain, and Varnish is an excellent option.

For water-based stains, you should go for the General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain or the #1 Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!