Transparency for grain
Wood stains show grain through the coating, so transparent pigments are used to tint while keeping the natural timber pattern visible.
Applications
Pigments for Wood Coatings
Pigment recommendations for wood coatings with technical checks and export enquiry support.
Wood coatings, from furniture lacquers to exterior decking stains, use organic pigments for both transparent wood-tone tints that let grain show and opaque coloured finishes. Selection balances transparency for grain-enhancing stains, light and weather fastness (critical for exterior wood exposed to sun), solvent resistance in the coating vehicle, and compatibility with waterborne or solvent-based systems. Buyers should confirm transparency for stain effects, strong light fastness so interior furniture does not fade near windows, weather fastness for exterior wood, and clean dispersion in the chosen lacquer, stain or varnish vehicle.
At a glance
What Pigments for Wood Coatings covers
Exterior weather fastness
Decking and cladding coatings face full sun, so specify weatherfast pigments so exterior wood tones resist fading and greying.
Interior light fastness
Furniture near windows faces daylight, so choose lightfast pigments so interior wood finishes do not fade unevenly over time.
Vehicle compatibility
Confirm pigments disperse cleanly and resist the solvents in waterborne or solvent lacquers, stains and varnishes without bleeding.
Recommended pigments
High-demand grades to consider
A starting shortlist of export-grade organic pigments relevant to Pigments for Wood Coatings. Open any grade for shade, fastness and packing detail, or send your requirement for a matched recommendation.
Blue Pigments
Phthalocyanine Blue Beta
Pigment Blue 15:3High-strength beta blue for export-grade paints, inks, plastics, and masterbatch.
View export grade Yellow PigmentsPigment Yellow 74
PY74Arylide yellow grade for decorative coatings and water-based systems.
View export grade Red PigmentsPigment Red 170
PR170Strong naphthol red for coatings, plastics, and masterbatch.
View export grade Pigment PastesEpoxy Pigment Paste
Epoxy PasteStable epoxy paste for floor coatings and resin systems.
View export grade Green PigmentsPhthalocyanine Green 36
Pigment Green 36Yellow-shade green for plastics, coatings, PVC, and export applications.
View export gradeExplore more
Related pages & export hub
Answers
Pigments for Wood Coatings — frequently asked questions
Why are transparent pigments used in wood stains?
Wood stains are meant to enhance and tint the timber while letting the natural grain show through. Transparent organic pigments colour the coating without hiding the grain, giving rich wood tones. Opaque pigments would mask the pattern, so transparent grades are chosen wherever the grain should remain visible.
How important is weather fastness for exterior wood coatings?
Very important. Exterior decking, cladding and garden furniture face intense sun and weather that fade weak pigments and let wood grey. Weatherfast pigments matched to the tone keep exterior wood coatings colour-stable for longer, protecting appearance and reducing how often the finish must be reapplied outdoors.
Do interior wood finishes still need lightfast pigments?
Yes. Furniture and flooring near windows receive significant daylight, which fades poorly lightfast pigments, sometimes unevenly where objects shade part of the surface. Lightfast grades keep interior wood finishes uniform over time. Even indoors, light fastness should be matched to expected daylight exposure for the piece.
Are pigments for waterborne and solvent wood coatings different?
The pigment chemistry can overlap, but dispersion and compatibility differ. Waterborne systems need pigments that wet and stay stable in water, while solvent lacquers need solvent-fast, non-bleeding grades. Confirm the pigment suits the specific vehicle, since a grade ideal for one wood-coating system may perform poorly in the other.
Buyer knowledge base
Pigments for Wood Coatings: a quick sourcing guide
The practical side of pigment sourcing: matching chemistry to end use, confirming fastness, and getting samples and documents ready for a fast decision.
Migration control
For plasticised and polyolefin systems, grades are chosen to resist blooming and plate-out.
Compliance on file
REACH and RoHS declarations and correct HS codes prepared for your market's customs.
Trial then commit
Approve shade, strength and dispersion on a sample before any production quantity.
Built for export
25 kg bags, palletised and batch-labelled, cleared under HSN 3204 17 90 for smooth customs.