Mango wood is a durable beautiful hardwood that uses for many kinds of woodworking projects including musical instruments, flooring, woodcarving, and other furniture.
Staining is important to change the color of wood to a color you preferred.
When you’re working with mango wood, you might have wondered about staining mango wood and how to do that! So, let’s find out, Can you stain Mango wood?
Yes, you can stain mango wood pretty well with various stains, and produces an excellent finish. Mango wood is super easy to stain. It can take a wide range of stain colors like brown, green, and pink and lasts for so long. Applying wood conditioner and sanding between coats helps mango wood to take stains well.
But that’s a quick snapshot and there’s a lot more to know about staining mango wood.
So, in this article, we’ll explore whether can you stain mango wood well, does mango wood stains easily and how to stain mango wood without making mistakes.
Furthermore, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions as well.
Let’s jump in!
Finished our super auction find, the table was originally covered in brown stain but now looks fantastic, it’s mango wood from Indonesia 😀 #rwf #reworkedfurniture #mangowood #indonesia #table #refinishing #paintedfurniture #auctionfind #dcc #dorchestercuriositycentre pic.twitter.com/KlTeSYVVlv
— Reworked Furniture (@reworkeddorset) July 17, 2022
Does Mango Wood Stain Easily?
Yes, mango wood stains easily because it accepts basically any color of stain and is able to give different unique looks. It absorbs stains so well and spread out evenly over the wood surface.
Mango wood has a wide range of colors like pink, brown, green, and diverse patterns. So, once the wood is stained finish will also display variations of colors with an interesting look.
The reason for the wide color range of mango wood is because of the growth of the fungus that lives on the heartwood. Because of the fungus growth, mango wood displays various color patterns with greys, yellows, and pink.
This effect is known as the spalting on mango wood.
Stain is able to give nice and fresh color to the mango wood with enhanced wood grain.
Most hardwoods like Cherry, Maple, Birch, and Pine are difficult to stain because of their tight grain structure.
The color pigments in stains are difficult to move and color up the tightly bonded wood fibers.
But in mango wood, even though it comes from the hardwood family, the straight grain patterns absorb stain so well.
Stain pigments easily penetrate deep into the mango wood and spread evenly all over the wood without forming blotches and streaks.
Even a beginner in wood finishing can easily stain mango wood since fixing wood stain mistakes are super easy with re-sanding and reapplying wood stain.
Here is a list of all the possible color variations mango wood may get after it is stained,
- Grey
- Yellow
- Pink
- Green
- Neutral color
Mango accepts any color of stain so well and even out discolored yellow patches without ruining the wood’s appearance.
Mango wood furniture and other woodwork will get nice pleasing color once they are stained properly.
Stain is also helpful to protect mango wood furniture from environmental elements such as UV light, moisture, and insect attacks.
As you can see staining mango wood helps to give an attractive look to the wood while protecting wood from environmental impacts.
So, let’s find out what is the best stain for mango wood,
Best Stain For Mango Wood
You can use almost any kind of stain for mango wood. oil-based stain, water-based stain, and gel stain work to finish mango wood perfectly.
- Oil-based stain is best for mango wood if you’re willing to color up with various color options
- Water-based stain is great on mango wood as a quick-drying finish
- Gel stain finishes mango wood well, especially for the vertically mounted surfaces
Oil-based stains have a wide range of colors that can give any color to your mango wood furniture.
Water-based stain dries and cures faster and can give rich deep color by emphasizing the natural beauty of the wood.
Gel stain sits on mango wood surfaces with no streaks or drips. It spread evenly over the surface without forming random patches like many other stains.
All the stains have the ability to protect mango wood from environmental elements such as UV light, moisture damage, and many more.
Here’re some popular stain products for mango wood,
- General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain
- Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer
- Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain
- SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain
- Rust-Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain
For a better understanding, here’re the different applications of the above wood stains on mango wood.
| Wood Stain Product | Application |
| General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain | Best overall stain for mango wood |
| Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer | Mango wood exterior applications |
| Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain | Best penetrating stain for mango wood |
| SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain | Mango wood cabinets, fences, and benches |
| Rust-Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain | Flooring applications |
| DEFY Extreme Wood Stain | Mango wood furniture |
So, let’s discuss each of the above stains and how they finish mango wood with your desired look.
1. General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain On Mango Wood
General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain is known as the best stain for mango wood. It can change the color of mango wood to any want with less issues.
Usually, gel stains don’t penetrate the wood. They will sit on the wooden surface and give a nice glossy even finish to the wood.
Here’re some main qualities of General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain,
- Spread evenly on mango wood even finish
- Heavy bodied and won’t penetrate the wood
- Give luxury look to the wood surface
- Easy to apply with a foam brush
General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain not only gives a glossy appearance to the mango wood with enhanced wood color but also makes a protective shield over the wood.
General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain coat over mango wood repels the water particles and protects wood from water damage like rotting and decaying.
It gives waterproofing abilities to mango wood furniture. Therefore, after applying General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain on outdoor mango wood furniture, they’ll be able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
But you have to remember, the main purpose of any wood stain is to change the color of the wood and give nice look. If you want to protect furniture from extreme weather conditions, better to go for wood finishing products like lacquer, varnish, or oil finishes.
General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain is available in various colors including darker and lighter ones that match mango wood perfectly.
Here’re some specifications of General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain.
| Color | Natural color, light, and darker colors |
| Drying Time | 24 Hours |
| Type | Oil-Based Gel stain |
| Applications | Mango wood furniture, cabinets, and floors |
2. Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer On Mango Wood
Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer is the best exterior stain for mango wood furniture and other outdoor woodworking projects.
It adds a unique appearance to the mango wood surface while helping to protect against water damage, temperature variations, and climate changes.
Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer has UV inhibitors that helps to protect mango wood furniture from harmful UV light that can cause wood cracking when drying under direct sunlight.
Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer are available in various color options that match with mango wood surface perfectly.
Here’re some main qualities of Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer,
- Protect mango wood furniture from UV light
- No primer is needed
- No back brushing is needed
- Withstand against temperature variations and keep wood from splitting
- Takes around 14 days to cure and get the actual color
Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer is an oil-based stain that is popular for a wide range of darker colors. Most of the colors match mango wood perfectly because of its diverse patterns.
Here’re some specifications of Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer.
| Color | Darker colors |
| Drying Time | 24 Hours / 14 days to get the actual color |
| Type | Oil-Based Stain |
| Applications | Outdoor furniture |
3. Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain On Mango Wood
Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain is the best penetrating stain for mango wood. It gives a rich darker color to the mango wood surface with an enhanced look.
Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain makes a shield over the mango wood surface, and it helps to protect the wood inside from rotting and other environmental impacts.
Here’re some qualities of Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain,
- Available in 28 different colors
- Easy to apply
- Penetrate deep into the wood
- Provide good environmental protection
Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain is available in any local hardware store. Better to apply a wood conditioner first to control the absorption rate of Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain and to spread the stain evenly without forming blotches.
Here’re some specifications of Minwax Penetrating Wood Stain,
| Color | Darker and semi-transparent colors |
| Drying Time | 2 Hours |
| Type | Oil-Based Stain |
| Applications | Cabinets, mango furniture, trims, and doors |
4. SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain On Mango Wood
SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain is the best water-based stain for mango wood furniture and other woodwork.
Water-based stains absorb well into the mango wood fibers and dry and cure faster than oil-based stains and gel stains.
If you’re looking to apply a lot of coats and you need to make them dry quickly while at the same time giving a fresh glossy look, water-based stains are the ones for you.
Here’re some qualities of SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain,
- Water-based stain
- Dries faster
- Easy to apply
- Easy to clean and re-stain
- Available in 40 different colors
Mostly, a single coat of SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain is enough to apply on mango wood since it has the ability to cover up the surface so well with extra protection.
Here’re some specifications of SamaN Water-Based Wood Stain,
| Color | Any color |
| Drying Time | 2 Hours |
| Type | Water-based stain |
| Applications | Any Mango wood furniture |
5. Rust-Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain On Mango Wood
Rust-Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain is great to apply on mango wood floors since it has excellent durability against scratches and is able to tolerate foot traffic.
Rust Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain can be used for other mango wood furniture as well, but it is specialized for flooring applications since it sets quickly and has good moisture resistance.
Here’re some qualities of Rust Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain,
- Specialized in flooring applications
- Easy to apply
- Sets easily
Rust Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain gives a unique aesthetic look to mango woodwork while protecting the wood from water damage.
This is the best stain if you have a dog or any other pet since it can handle dog scratches easily.
Here’re some specifications of Rust Oleum Varathane Premium Wood Stain,
| Color | Any color |
| Drying Time | 2 Hours |
| Type | Oil-based stain |
| Applications | Any Mango wood flooring, furniture |
Now you have a clear idea about the best wood stain products for mango wood.
Even though the above products match well with mango wood, I recommended any other wood stain product for mango wood because mango wood simply takes any stain with no issues at all.
But only if you applied the wood stain correctly!
Does Mango Wood Need Wood Conditioner Before Staining?
Applying wood conditioner on mango wood before staining is not necessary since wood takes stain pretty well and evenly spread without forming bubbles or blotches.
But some mango wood doesn’t take stain evenly by directly applying it. The stain absorption rates may differ according to the wood area and that causes troubles.
That’s where wood conditioner comes for help.
Applying a wood conditioner helps to control the stain absorption rate of mango wood all over the same and helps the wood to take stain evenly.
Therefore, if you’re a professional woodworker who works on a large mango wood project I recommend applying wood conditioner before staining to avoid happening lots of wood stain mistakes.
Tip:
If you’re going to apply wood conditioner, better to purchase wood conditioner and wood stain from the same manufacturer to prevent any incompatibility issues.
So, let’s find out how to apply the wood stain properly on mango wood surfaces with easy steps.
How To Stain Mango Wood?
Staining mango wood is super easy because it accepts stains so well. Better than most hardwoods.
But you need to have a clear idea of how to stain mango wood well. Otherwise, nothing going to stop you from ending up with a tacky or blotchy finish.
By following the procedure below, you’ll be able to stain mango wood without making any mistakes.
Supplies You Will Need
- 220 grit and 320 grit sandpapers
- Fresh wood stain product
- Pre-stain wood conditioner (Optional)
- Gloves
- Lint-free tack cloths
- Clean rags
- Paintbrush
Here’re the steps you need to follow when staining mango wood,
- Clean the wood and surface preparation
- Sand and remove sawdust
- Apply wood conditioner and let it dry
- Apply wood stain
- Let it dry and cure completely
Tip:
Better to do the staining project first with mango scrap wood using the same stain product to see how well mango wood takes the stain. Starting directly with the main project is not recommended especially if you’re a beginner.
1. Clean The Mango Wood Surface and Surface Preparation
Better to take your mango wood furniture or woodwork to a well-ventilated area for staining because sawdust and other fumes can cause breathing issues, and eye and skin irritations.
Or you can open the windows of your working area for good air circulation. Better to have a good dust collection pipe system to stop sawdust deposition.
First, you need to clean the whole wood surface to remove dust, debris, and dirt. Take a clean rag and soak it in soapy water and wipe down the entire wood surface without missing any spots.
Staining without cleaning the wood is not wise because dust and other residue particles can ruin the stain finish and cause forming bubbles that are so hard to remove.
After cleaning the wood properly, let the wood dry well before heading into the sanding step.
2. Sand And Remove Sawdust
Now take the 220-grit sandpaper and sand the entire mango wood surface to eliminate surface randomness and make it smooth to take on stain so well.
Sanding along the direction of the mango wood grain. sanding mango wood is quite easy because most of them have a straight grain structure.
Sanding helps to open the blocked porous structures on the mango wood surface and that’s beneficial to absorb stains well.
Sand with an even pressure through the entire wood surface to get a super smooth surface. Irregular sanding can cause blotches in the wood stain finish.
Once you’re done with sanding, clean the entire surface with clean rags and use a dust collection pipe system to remove sawdust or you can do that manually.
Never let sawdust deposit on the wood surface because once the stain is applied, it will attach tightly to the wood stain causing so many troubles.
Now your mango wood surface is ready to accept the stain.
3. Apply Wood Conditioner And Let It Dry
When it comes to staining mango wood, applying a wood conditioner is an optional step. You won’t go wrong if you want to skip this step.
But if you’re a beginner in wood finishing and if your mango wood is not in excellent condition, better to apply wood conditioner before staining since wood conditioner helps the wood to accept stains evenly.
Wood conditioner controls the absorption rates of mango wood fibers. This helps to absorb wood stains all over the wood at the same rate without forming random patches after the stain is applied.
After applying wood conditioner all over the mango wood surface along the wood grain direction for around 15 minutes, let it dry for 30 seconds.
4. Apply Wood Stain
Dip a little amount of paintbrush in the wood stain and apply wood stain all over the wood along the direction of the mango wood grain.
Mango wood basically accepts any color of wood grain and get features colors like pink, brown, and green.
By applying wood stain along the wood grain, the wood stain will penetrate well into the mango wood surface and make a uniform even layer on top of the wood.
Make sure not to miss any spots during the application and cover up all the missing spots before the wood stain sets.
Apply wood stain by applying even pressure to the paintbrush. Applying high-pressure results in deep dark color while applying less pressure results lighter color stain finish.
After applying the wood stain correctly all over the mango wood surface let it dry and cure completely for 24 – 48 hours.
Let each stain coat dry between 24 -48 hours before applying another coat of stain.
Apply 2 to 3 coats of stain on mango wood for a better finish and to color up the wood surface as you want.
Make sure to lightly sand between each coat of stain with 320 grit sandpaper for better absorption of wood stain and to get the super smooth glossy finish.
That’s it, folks! Now you know how to stain mango wood correctly without making any mistakes.
So, let’s answer frequently asked questions about mango woos staining.
Can You Stain Mango Wood Darker?
Yes, you can stain mango wood darker by applying 4 o 5 coats of stain, applying thick coats of stain, and by applying high force on the paintbrush during the staining.
This way you’ll get a deep dark color stain finish on mango wood. but it will fadeaways over time within 1 to 2 years.
So, better to reapply the wood stain on mango wood to keep it dark with a unique luxurious finish.
The dark color stain gives a pleasant and rich look to your furniture. Because of having various color options, you can select a darker version of any color mango wood has.
Can You Stain Raw mango Wood?
Yes, raw mango wood can be stained. Raw mango wood accepts any color of stain and is able to change its color accordingly.
Apply wood stain all over the raw mango wood along the direction of the wood grain for better absorption and to get an even stain finish.
Wood stain protects raw mango wood while giving an attractive finish. Stain protects raw mango wood furniture from moisture and other water damage.
Does Mango Wood Need To Be Sealed?
Yes, mango wood needs to be sealed especially if they use for outdoor woodworking projects to protect against environmental elements.
Even though mango wood has good resistance against environmental impacts, it cannot tolerate harsh weather conditions and water damage.
Once the mango wood furniture or woodwork is sealed with a quality sealer like lacquer coats, varnish, or oil finish like Tung oil, it will get protection with an enhanced look.
How To Remove Stains From Mango Wood?
You can remove stains from mango wood using mineral spirits or alcohol. Soak lint-free tack cloth in a mineral spirit and wipe down the surface until stains remove from mango wood.
Stains dissolve well in alcoholic chemicals like mineral spirit. Repeat the same wiping procedure until all the stains are removed.
Once all the stains get removed from the mango wood surface, let the area dry and do a light sanding and apply wood stain for better protection.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Can You Stain Mango Wood
In this article we have deeply discussed can you stain mango wood, the best stain products for mango wood, and how to stain mango wood with simple steps without messing up the project.
Mango wood takes wood stain so well. It can be various stain colors including green, pink and brown. Wood stains enhance the appearance of mango wood while providing protection against moisture, UV light, and rotting. Apply 2 to 3 coats on mango wood to get an evenly spread finish.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
Hope you have gained good knowledge about staining mango wood.
Try to stain mango wood furniture by yourself and see how well mango wood accepts wood stains and results in beautiful colors.
Happy wood finishing!
