ZAR Oil-Based Wood Stain 118 Dark Mahogany: Real Specs, How to Apply & In-Stock Alternative

ZAR 118 Dark Mahogany is a soya-oil-based interior wood stain that dries to the touch in about 3 hours, carries an MPI Category #90 listing, and can go over bare wood as well as previously painted or varnished surfaces. As of September 2026, this exact color is showing “Currently unavailable” at every major online retailer we checked — so below we cover the real specs, how to apply it if you already own a can, and the closest in-stock alternative if you need to buy today.

What Is ZAR Oil-Based Wood Stain 118 Dark Mahogany?

ZAR 118 is the Dark Mahogany shade in United Gilsonite Laboratories’ (UGL) ZAR interior oil-based stain line, sold as ZAR 11812 in the 1-quart can. It’s a soya-oil formula rather than a straight petroleum-oil stain, which UGL markets as giving deeper penetration and truer color than a typical hardware-store wiping stain. Unlike a lot of oil stains that are labeled “bare wood only,” ZAR’s own product literature lists it as usable over previously painted or varnished surfaces and specifically recommends it for fiberglass, steel, or Masonite doors — not just raw lumber.

That surface flexibility is the one thing most competing “best wood stain” roundups don’t mention: if you’re trying to refresh an already-finished door or an old varnished cabinet rather than starting from bare wood, ZAR is one of the few oil stains actually built and labeled for that job.

Real Specs: Dry Time, Coverage, and Certification

Here’s what’s actually documented for this product, not rounded-up guesses:

Spec	Detail
Color / Product Code	Dark Mahogany, ZAR 11812 (1 qt.)
Base	Soya oil-based, wiping stain
Dries to touch	Approx. 3 hours
Certification	Listed under MPI (Master Painters Institute) Category #90
Approved surfaces	Bare wood, plus previously painted/varnished wood, fiberglass, steel, and Masonite doors
Cleanup	Mineral spirits / paint thinner (oil-based)

General oil-based wiping stains in this category typically cover somewhere in the range of 125–250 square feet per quart depending on how porous and open-grained the wood is — mahogany and other open-pore woods sit toward the lower end of that range because the first coat soaks in faster. Buy a little extra can for your first project rather than trusting a single blanket coverage number, since UGL doesn’t publish one specific figure for this can size.

How to Apply ZAR 118 Dark Mahogany Stain (Step by Step)

Because ZAR is a wipe-on formula, the process is closer to polishing furniture than brushing paint. Here’s the sequence that actually gets an even result:

1. Sand to 120–150 grit. Finer than that and the stain has less tooth to grip, so color comes out lighter and blotchier on open-grain wood like mahogany or pine.
2. Vacuum and tack-cloth the surface. Any dust left behind shows up as a gritty spot once the stain sets.
3. Test on an offcut first. This confirms how dark the final color will actually read on your specific wood before you commit to the real piece — species and even the board’s own grain pattern change how “Dark Mahogany” looks.
4. Apply with a brush, cloth, or foam applicator, working with the grain. Don’t stir constantly; ZAR’s formula is designed to go on evenly without it.
5. Wipe off excess after 5–15 minutes. Longer contact time before wiping means a darker, richer final color — this is your main control over how dark the finish ends up.
6. Let it dry the full 3 hours before handling, and plan on a separate clear topcoat (polyurethane or varnish) if the piece will see regular wear — ZAR’s stain provides color, not a hard protective film on its own.

Where This Stain Works Best (and Where It Doesn’t)

A common myth around oil-based color stains is that they only work on raw, unfinished wood. ZAR’s own labeling contradicts that for this product specifically — it’s rated for use over surfaces that already have paint or varnish on them, plus fiberglass, steel, and Masonite doors. That makes it a reasonable pick for refreshing an entry door or a dated cabinet front without stripping it back to bare wood first.

Where it’s a weaker choice: exterior projects that get direct sun and rain exposure year-round, like a deck or outdoor furniture. This is an interior-oriented wiping stain, and UGL doesn’t market it with the UV-inhibitor and weatherproofing claims you’d want for a deck stain. For that kind of project, look at a stain specifically labeled for exterior/UV use instead.

Dark Mahogany vs. Similar Oil Stain Shades

If you’re cross-shopping mahogany-toned stains, here’s how the main oil-based options actually differ on paper:

Stain	Base	Dry Time	Notes
ZAR 118 Dark Mahogany	Soya oil	~3 hrs	Rated for painted/varnished surfaces too; currently OOS at major retailers
Minwax Wood Finish, Red Mahogany	Oil	~2 hrs	Warmer/redder tone; widely available, our current in-stock pick
Varathane Premium Wood Stain	Oil	~1 hr	Fastest dry time of the group; thinner liquid, more prone to blotching on open grain

The practical difference between “mahogany” shades across brands comes down to how much red versus brown is in the pigment blend — always test on your actual project wood, since the same bottle can read differently on oak versus pine versus poplar.

Is ZAR 118 Dark Mahogany Still Available?

As of this update (September 2026), ZAR 118 / ZAR 11812 Dark Mahogany shows as unavailable through the retailers we checked, including its Amazon listing. This isn’t a case of the product being discontinued outright — UGL’s ZAR line is still active with other Dark Mahogany-adjacent and interior stain colors in stock — but this specific quart-can listing is currently sold through. If you already have a can, the specs and application steps above still apply. If you’re shopping today, the Minwax Red Mahogany pick above is the closest in-stock match; check back periodically, as retailer stock on this exact ZAR listing has fluctuated before.

Design and Care Tips for Dark Mahogany Pieces

Dark Mahogany reads warmest next to soft cream walls or brass and warm-gold hardware, and it can look almost black-cherry in low light next to cool grays — worth testing in the room’s actual lighting before committing a whole piece. For upkeep, dust with a soft microfiber cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner; avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners near stained wood, since they can dull an oil finish’s sheen over repeated use. If a topcoat was applied, minor scuffs can usually be buffed out with fine steel wool (0000 grade) and a fresh coat of paste wax rather than a full strip-and-restain.

For a broader comparison of mahogany-specific finishes and their real cost per 100 square feet, see our mahogany finish comparison guide.

FAQs

What Is ZAR Oil Based Wood Stain 118?

ZAR Oil Based Wood Stain 118 (sold as ZAR 11812) is a soya-oil-based interior wiping stain in Dark Mahogany. It’s listed under MPI Category #90 and is rated for use on bare wood as well as previously painted or varnished surfaces, fiberglass, steel, and Masonite doors, giving it more flexibility than a typical bare-wood-only oil stain.

How To Apply ZAR Oil Based Wood Stain?

Sand the surface to 120–150 grit, remove all dust, and test on an offcut first. Apply with a brush, cloth, or foam applicator along the grain without constant stirring, then wipe off the excess after 5–15 minutes — the longer you wait before wiping, the darker the final color. Add a clear topcoat afterward if the piece needs a durable protective film.

How Long Does ZAR Wood Stain Take To Dry?

ZAR Oil Based Wood Stain dries to the touch in approximately 3 hours. Give it the full dry window before handling the piece or applying a topcoat, and allow extra time in cool or humid conditions since drying is temperature- and humidity-dependent.

Is ZAR Wood Stain Safe For Indoor Use?

Yes, it’s designed as an interior stain, but like any oil-based product it should be applied with good ventilation while wet. Once fully cured, it does not continue off-gassing at meaningful levels. Keep stain-soaked rags spread out to dry outdoors or submerged in water before disposal, since oily rags can self-heat and pose a fire risk.

Conclusion

ZAR 118 Dark Mahogany is a genuinely flexible oil-based stain on paper — a roughly 3-hour dry time, MPI-listed, and rated for more than just bare wood — but it’s currently out of stock everywhere we checked. If you already own a can, the application steps above will get you an even, rich finish. If you’re buying today, the in-stock Minwax Red Mahogany pick above gets you the same warm mahogany-red category while you wait for ZAR’s own listing to restock.