How do the different kinds of paint and stain affect the appearance of wood?
Please be aware that semi-gloss, gloss, enamel paints, and other paints which have sheen tend to make any imperfections in the surface of a wall or a board, etc., more visible than flat paint will. Flat paint is much, much better at hiding bumps, bends, dents, knots, etc., etc. than glossy paint is. Surface imperfections showing through paint or stain do not represent defective painting technique or defective paint or stain. Also see FAQs on: “surface imperfections,” “factors affecting appearance,” and “what is a properly painted surface?” In particular, semi-solid stain is specially designed to show the underlying wood grain, whether the grain is attractive or not. If you do not wish to see this and/or other imperfections like nail stains, etc., then you must choose a solid stain. Moreover, as Consumer Reports explains every year in their annual issue rating paints and stains, solid stain will ALWAYS provide a lot more protection for your wood than semi-solid stain will, which is why
