ZAR Interior Oil Base Stain

ZAR Interior Oil Base Stain is a full-bodied, translucent oil-based wiping stain. ZAR says it wipes on like furniture polish and gives rich, even color in one coat, with "controlled penetration" so it leaves no lap marks or streaks. That makes it a good pick for hard-to-stain woods like pine, birch, alder and maple, and it can also go over previously painted or varnished surfaces without stripping for a wood-grain or glazed look. We carry 18 colors in half pints and quarts: Aged Bourbon, Baby Grand, Beach House, Black Caviar, Blue Moon, Champagne, Dark Chocolate Truffle, Exotic Redwood, Golden Sunset, Gray Cashmere, Malibu Gray, Mink, Mocha, Moroccan Red, Oiled Leather, Premium Teak, Silk Gray and Vintage Modern.

See the full guide below the products

33 Products

About ZAR Interior Oil Base Stain

  • Uses per ZAR: unfinished and previously finished wood, painted or varnished surfaces, fiberglass, metal and composite surfaces, and glazing on cabinets, moldings and floors for a two-tone look.
  • Bare wood: fill holes, sand with 120 to 150 grit and remove the dust. Wipe or brush on with the grain and wipe off the excess the same way. Re-stain when dry for a darker tone.
  • Painted or prefinished cabinets: don't sand paint; lightly sand prefinished cabinets with 320 grit. Apply with a lint-free cloth and dry-brush corners and lap marks.
  • Dry time is 3 hours on wood. Let non-wood surfaces and prefinished cabinets dry 48 hours before topcoating.
  • Coverage is about 800 sq ft per quart at 1 mil, depending on the surface and how it's applied.
  • Stains and clear finishes won't stick to shellac or lacquer, so remove those first. Clean up with mineral spirits.
  • Oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own. Put used rags in a sealed, water-filled metal container.

Shop related: all ZAR, Old Masters Wiping Stain, wood stains and gel stains, polyurethane, and the furniture refinishing cart.

FAQ

Can ZAR Interior Oil Base Stain go over paint?

Yes. ZAR says to use it on fully dry painted surfaces without sanding. Apply with a lint-free cloth or brush, then wipe off or dry-brush the stain to get the glazed, two-tone look you want.

Can I mix two ZAR stain colors?

Yes. ZAR says any two Interior Oil Base Stain colors can be blended 50/50 for more color options. Test the blend on your surface first.

How do I lighten or darken the color?

For a darker tone, apply a second coat once the first is dry. For a lighter tone, wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits before the stain dries.

What topcoat should I use?

ZAR recommends its Water Base or Oil Base Poly for protection. ZAR notes that an oil-based poly over light oil stains can yellow in spots that don't get natural light, such as under rugs or low furniture.

Free shipping at $75. Free 30-day returns with a prepaid label on unopened cans. Sources: ZAR product page and the ZAR Interior Oil Base Stain product data sheet (September 2025, version 01.01).

Build the full project cart

Use this collection to choose the core product, then add the prep, applicators, cleanup, and finish supplies from Weekend Project Carts. For a common starting point, open the Paint Cabinets Project Cart, or read the Project Guides.

Find a project cart Read Project Guides