Mollor Wood Stain, 16 Oz Water Based Wood Stain and Sealer in One - No Priming, No Top Coat Required, Fast Drying|Low Odor|Non-Toxic, Perfect for Indoor and Outdoor Furniture

Why I reached for this stain

My front porch bench was tired: sun-faded, scuffed, and thirsty. Inside, a couple of old cabinet doors were begging for a refresh without turning my workshop into a fume chamber. That’s the kind of mixed indoor/outdoor list that usually means juggling a traditional stain, a separate sealer, long dry times, and a day of airing out the house. Instead, I tried the Mollor wood stain—a water-based stain-and-sealer in one, in the Black Walnut shade—and put it through its paces on both the porch bench and sample boards of oak, pine, and birch.

What the product is (and isn’t)

This is a film-forming, water-based stain that also seals. Think of it as a hybrid: it penetrates enough to color and highlight grain, but it also builds a protective layer on top as you add coats. That layer is what provides the scuff resistance and water protection. If you’re coming from oil-based penetrating stains, the behavior is different; rather than flooding and wiping back to bare wood, you’re laying down thin, even coats and letting them build to your desired color and sheen.

The Black Walnut tone lands as a rich, dark brown with a touch of warmth—noticeably deeper on the second coat and easily pushed darker with a third. On open-grain woods like oak, the grain definition remains visible; on tighter-grain woods like birch, it leans more uniform.

Prep and setup

I kept prep simple but intentional:

• For the bench: a quick scrub and a pass with 180-grit to knock back raised fibers and remove loose weathering. I didn’t chase every scratch.
• For cabinet door samples: sanded to 220, vacuumed and tack-clothed.
• I stirred the stain thoroughly (and re-stirred between coats). Pigments settle—don’t skip this.

Water-based products tend to raise grain on the first coat. I did see a slight roughness after the first pass, especially on the sanded oak and pine, which a very light 220-grit scuff between coats resolved.

Application experience

I tested a synthetic bristle brush, a foam brush, and a cotton rag. Each has a place:

• Rag: thinnest, most forgiving coats; ideal if you want a lighter, more natural look and lower risk of lap marks.
• Foam brush: smooth, quick coverage on flat panels; rewards thin, even passes.
• Synthetic bristle: best for chair legs, railings, and areas with detail; easier to control in tight spaces but needs mindful tipping-off to avoid brush marks.

The stain sets up quickly on the surface—enough that you don’t want to overwork it. Working in manageable sections, keeping a wet edge, and resisting the urge to re-brush a half-dried area are the keys to an even finish. I applied thin coats along the grain and let them self-level. The product claims about four hours to surface dry, and in my conditions (mild humidity, room temperature), that was a safe recoat window. Cleanup with water was painless.

Two coats brought the bench to a handsome, medium-dark walnut with a satin-to-semi-gloss sheen. A third coat tipped it closer to semi-gloss and deepened the color one more notch. Indoors, two coats on the cabinet panel sample looked refined without being plasticky; three built a more furniture-grade film.

Odor and cleanup

This is one of the big reasons to consider a water-based, all-in-one product: the smell is minimal. I worked inside without needing to crack every window, and cleanup was just warm water and a bit of soap. For anyone refinishing in an apartment or sharing space with family, that’s a tangible quality-of-life upgrade.

Color and finish character

• Tone: Black Walnut trends rich brown with subtle warmth, not charcoal. On oak, pores read darker, which adds depth. On pine, the early/latewood contrast shows, but the film-forming nature helps even things out compared to purely penetrating stains.
• Transparency: One coat reads semi-transparent. Two coats are closer to semi-opaque while still showing grain. Three coats approach a toned clear coat look.
• Sheen: Out of the can, it dries to a modest sheen that increases with each coat. I’d call it satin-to-semi-gloss depending on build.

As with any pigment, the underlying wood species and previous finishes matter. I always recommend a test board or the back of a door if you’re particular about temperature and depth.

Durability and outdoor behavior

After full cure (the can advises about a week for optimal performance), the outdoor bench showed encouraging signs. Water beaded rather than soaking in, and minor scuffs from daily use wiped off without marking the finish. I can’t claim years-long UV results from a quick review period, but the film feels cohesive and tougher than a simple penetrating stain. For fences, garden furniture, and railings, the ease of maintenance—just clean and recoat—should prove handy.

Indoors, the cabinet panel held up to incidental bumps and a couple of coffee drips with no visible staining. The finish doesn’t feel brittle, and it bonds well over clean, sanded wood.

What to watch out for

• Short open time: This product can gum up if you overbrush as it starts to set. Apply thin, move on, and avoid double-backing.
• Fast darkening: The second coat deepens color significantly. If you want to maintain a lighter walnut, stop at one or keep the first coat thin via rag application.
• Lap marks: On large panels, plan your sections and keep a wet edge. Long, uninterrupted passes help. Avoid direct sun or hot, dry conditions during application.
• Grain raise: Expect a light sand after the first coat with 220-grit.
• Film feel: If you prefer the raw, oiled-wood hand of an oil-only finish, the slight film here may not be your taste. It’s a protective topcoat by design.

Practical tips for best results

• Stir thoroughly and often. Pigment separation will change color mid-project if you don’t.
• Test on a hidden area or sample piece from the same batch of wood.
• Use thin coats and let them dry fully. Two thin coats beat one heavy one.
• Scuff sand lightly between coats to remove nibs, then remove dust.
• For outdoor pieces, I found two to three thin coats to be the sweet spot for color depth and protection.
• Let the finish cure the full seven days before heavy use or exposure to rain.

Coverage and value

A single 16 oz can surprised me by covering the porch bench with two coats and leaving enough for several sample boards and touch-ups. Because the product both colors and seals, you’re saving a step (and a second purchase) versus separate stain and topcoat. For small furniture, cabinets, accent tables, and garden pieces, the size makes sense. For large decks or fences, plan on multiple cans.

Who it’s for

• DIYers wanting a straightforward, low-odor refinish process on indoor and outdoor projects.
• Woodworkers looking for a controllable, water-based stain that can build to a protective sheen without switching products.
• Anyone working in shared indoor spaces where solvent odors aren’t an option.

Who might look elsewhere: purists who want a purely penetrating, oil-only look and feel; folks tackling very large exterior surfaces where a dedicated exterior deck system might be more economical and specialized.

The bottom line

The Mollor wood stain makes a strong case for the one-can, water-based approach. It lays down consistent color, builds a protective film as you go, and keeps the workspace comfortable with low odor and easy cleanup. The trade-offs—shorter open time and the need to plan your passes—are manageable with a light hand and thin coats. My porch bench looks refreshed and protected, the indoor cabinet sample is crisp and even, and the process itself stayed simple from start to finish.

Recommendation: I recommend this stain for small to medium indoor and outdoor projects where convenience, low odor, and integrated protection are priorities. It’s especially good if you want to move from raw or tired wood to a durable, walnut-toned finish in a weekend without juggling multiple products. Just test your color first, work thin and steady, and let it cure fully for the best results.