Unlike fuming, base stains are a water-based surface treatment, laying a base for the final colour of the finish. The standard base stains are grey, white and black.

White and black are coloured water-based stains which will enhance the darker and lighter finishes that are applied on top of it.

The grey base stain on the other hand is a water-based product that, once applied to the surface, has a similar effect on the tannin content of the wood as fuming. Rather than turning the surface dark it turns it into a grey shade.The shade of grey is dependent on the tannin content of the wood and, like fuming it does not affect sapwood, leaving it light coloured. Like fuming the grey will change colour over time, lightening up and allowing more shades of brown to show through.

The result is a contemporary looking floor that can be finished with various coloured finishes on top.