Stains and primers
If the unfinished instrument is to have a beautiful basic color, it should be stained before varnishing. But since the hardness of wood can vary, thus absorbing the stain unevenly, it is recommended that the basic instrument should be pre-treated first to ensure that the color is attractively even.


Instructions for pre-treating the wood
Dissolve about 30 g of gelatin powder (order# 7460) in a liter of warm water and then heat until the solution is clear and thin. Apply the warm solution evenly with a bristle brush, leave to dry completely and sand down very carefully with a fine sandpaper.The various stains described below can then be applied.

Instructions for application of water-based stains
Water-based stains (order# 3096-3150) are available in some 20 shades. Dissolve contents of the bag, following the instructions on the label. To make the color lighter or deeper, change the proportion of water used.Apply the stain solution evenly to the cleanly sanded instrument using a sponge or brush (order# 9404 - 9412). Wipe off excess stain with a dry rag.

JOHA® Antique stain 421 and 422
Stains # 421 and # 422 - antique gray-brown are ready-mixed oxidation stains. After application, the color changes under the effect of air and daylight from being colorless(421)/orange(422) to antique gray-brown. This stains are applied exactly as described above. Once the required color has been reached, gently sand with a fine sandpaper and apply 1 coat basic varnish. This prevents further modification of the color. Ideally, one should carry out a test stain and varnish to see what the final result will be, since the colors will vary with different types of wood. This stains particularly draws out timber rings.
Stain 422 is toxic.


JOHA® stain # 402 M
BStain # 402 M (order# 8402) is a rich brown, ready-made stain which should be used if a dark instrument is required.


Stais 401, 403, 423
This stains are ready-made stains.