Water-borne coatings are quicker drying and have different flow/levelling characteristics to traditional alkyd based (solvent-borne) coatings.

We recommended the use of brushes designed for the application of water-borne coatings (i.e. synthetic bristle) and not to apply in extremes of hot or cold conditions.

A water-borne coating is generally more flexible than a solvent-borne one, and preferably we would recommend recoating water-borne with water-borne.

However, providing that the existing finish is sound and fully dry, there is no problem with overcoating solvent-borne with water-borne or water-borne with solvent-borne.

Providing the surface is sound, there will be no problems in applying these woodstains. Any peeling or flaking areas must be removed and any bare timber thoroughly sanded back to clean, bright wood.

Bare areas should be patch primed with a basestain such as Cetol HLS plus  to even up the colour and then one or two coats of Cetol Filter 7 can be applied.

The simple answer is NO.

Water-borne stains, paints and emulsions can be overcoated as soon as they are fully dry and two coats can be applied in the same day.

Solvent-borne coatings undergo a two-stage process - firstly the solvent evaporates away (within 2-4 hours), leaving the surface dry to the touch; the coating then undergoes "oxidative curing", i.e. the resin/binder within the coating reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere to give a chemically hardened (or cured) surface.

This process can take as long as 12 hours and it is therefore essential that the coating is left to dry overnight before overcoating. Applying the second coat too soon can lead to wrinkling and a soft finish which can be easily damaged.

Although timber is a porous, absorbent substrate, it will not ‘soak' water up like a sponge and therefore although the surface may be wet, the main body of the timber is likely to be dry.

While it is difficult to be precise, two good drying days should be adequate. If rainfall has been for a longer period, as much as one week or more of dry weather may be necessary for the moisture content of the timber to reach an acceptable level.