Martin, is your friend hoping to stain the Koverall BEFORE applying it? I can't imagine that working. The problem I always have with stains is that I have to buy dozens before I find one that has anything like the color I really want. [:'(] For example the can of "Golden Pecan" Varathane stain&polyurethane (water-based) that I just tested is PINK! There's just no other word for it.