I have just completed a large poject with the Sikkens 123, absolutely fantastic! The first part is the (1) which is sold separately from the (23), it penetrates the wood, then you apply the (23) which gives you the staining layer. It comes in about 12 different colors and I highley recomend it for the time saving. It drys quickly and can be recoated in a short time. On other projects where I really am in a hurry I skip the (1) and then 2 coat the (23). Works the same. It's about 57.00 a gallon, but time is money and you get that back quickly. jc