GORI 33 or GORI 88: which wood stain suits what?
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Project template “Paint and oil outdoor wood”Short answer: GORI 33 SENSITIV is a water-based thin-build stain for interior and exterior use, child-safe to DIN EN 71 part 3 and ideal for play equipment, nurseries or wall panelling. GORI 88 COMPACT is a solvent-based mid-build gel stain for exterior use only, with EN 927 certification for maximum UV and weather protection on facades, windows and doors. For sensitive areas where children are in contact, reach for GORI 33; for heavily weathered timber facades and window frames, for GORI 88.
Both stains come from the wood protection specialist GORI, but they differ fundamentally in binder base, field of use and approval. Choosing the wrong stain risks premature flaking, unsuitable use on play equipment or unnecessary extra work at the next coat. The comparison below shows which product suits which project.
GORI 33 SENSITIV vs. GORI 88 COMPACT at a glance
GORI 33 SENSITIV
Water-based, low-emission thin-build stain to DIN EN 71 part 3 – for interior and exterior use, including where children are in direct contact with the surface.
- Water-based, low-odour, low-emission
- Can be used indoors & outdoors
- 9 shades, approx. 12 m² per litre
- Eroding weathering – no flaking, easy to renew
GORI 88 COMPACT
Solvent-based, thixotropic gel stain to EN 927-1 / EN 927-2 – for maximum UV and weather protection on facades, windows and external doors.
- Alkyd resin base, high solids content
- For exterior use only
- 17 shades + colour mixing system, 12–15 m² per litre
- Non-drip gel consistency, ideal for window frames
Detailed comparison: base, field of use, application
| Property | GORI 33 SENSITIV | GORI 88 COMPACT |
|---|---|---|
| Binder base | Water-based (acrylate) | Solvent-based (alkyd resin) |
| Build type | Thin-build stain | Mid-build stain, gel-like (thixotropic) |
| Field of use | Indoors & outdoors | Outdoors only |
| Certification | DIN EN 71 part 3 (child-safe) | EN 927-1 & EN 927-2 |
| Appearance | Eroding, open-pored weathering | Satin-gloss, open-pored |
| Shades | 9 shades | 17 shades + colour mixing system |
| Usage | approx. 80 ml/m² (1 L ≈ 12 m²) | approx. 65–80 ml/m² per coat (1 L ≈ 12–15 m²) |
| Dust-dry | fast-drying (manufacturer's figure) | approx. 2–3 hrs at 23 °C / 50 % RH |
| Can be overcoated | after a short drying time | approx. 16–24 hrs at 23 °C / 50 % RH |
| Application temperature | not below +10 °C, not at RH > 80 % | +5 °C to +35 °C |
| Permissible timber moisture | no manufacturer's figure, absorbent timber | ≤ 15 % (dimensionally stable), ≤ 18 % (limited dimensional stability) |
| Not suitable for | Terrace and balcony floors, garden decking tiles | Interior coatings, parquet, pressure-impregnated timber, untreated hardwoods (teak, bangkirai) |
| Pack sizes | 0.75 L | 0.75 L | 2.5 L | 5 L |
Which stain suits your project?
Reach for GORI 33 SENSITIV if …
- children are in direct contact with the surface (play equipment, nursery, school)
- you want to treat interior and exterior components with one stain
- low-odour, water-based application matters to you
- the piece of timber should be easy to renew later
Reach for GORI 88 COMPACT if …
- you want to protect facades, windows or external doors for the long term
- high UV and weather resistance is the priority
- you are coating profiled or vertical surfaces without runs
- a wider colour range including a mixing system is needed
Common questions about GORI 33 and GORI 88
Can I use GORI 33 SENSITIV outdoors as well?
Yes, according to the manufacturer GORI 33 SENSITIV is suitable for timber surfaces with limited dimensional stability and for those that are not dimensionally stable, indoors and outdoors. The stain is not suitable, however, for terrace and balcony floors or garden decking tiles.
How many coats does GORI 88 COMPACT need?
GORI 88 COMPACT is designed as a mid-build stain and is usually applied in two coats on primed or pre-treated timber. Between coats, around 16–24 hours of drying time should be allowed at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity.
Is GORI 33 SENSITIV really suitable for children's play equipment?
Yes. GORI 33 SENSITIV is certified to DIN EN 71 part 3 (Safety of toys – Migration of certain elements) and is therefore one of the few wood stains explicitly approved for play structures, kindergartens and schools.
Can I combine GORI 33 and GORI 88 on the same piece?
That is not advisable. GORI 33 SENSITIV is water-based, GORI 88 COMPACT solvent-based on an alkyd resin base – both systems should not be applied over one another. Decide on one system per component and stick with it for subsequent coats.
What timber moisture may my timber have for GORI 88 COMPACT?
With dimensionally stable timber (window frames, for instance) the timber moisture should be no more than 15 %, with timber of limited dimensional stability no more than 18 %. Check the figure with a moisture meter before applying.
How many shades are there to choose from?
GORI 33 SENSITIV is available in 9 shades, among them Oak, Light oak, Pine, Burma teak, Rosewood, Walnut, White and Colourless. GORI 88 COMPACT offers 17 shades plus a colour mixing system, so that individual nuances can also be produced as a ready mix.
You will find both stains in our category wood protection. If your project also involves fitting new windows, read our How to: install windows the RAL way – sequence and materials.
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