How to Stain Wood

Stain types for woodworking projects include water-based, gel (alcohol-based) and oil-based. Oil and water are the types best known and recommended by experts. Outside projects often need oil-based stains for weather protection, while interior furniture requires polyurethane as a sealer. Read on to learn how to stain wood.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Appropriate stain for your project
• Brushes
• Rollers
• Airless sprayer (if necessary)
• Clean lint free rags (cloth diapers are best)
• Sandpaper

1. Choose the right stain to match your woodworking project. Think of the type of wood project, the expected use of item and the density of the wood to make this decision.

2. Be aware that alcohol-based stains will go on quickly and dry almost immediately. Select water-soluble stains help to raise the color. Use a water-based stain to prepare furniture for interior use, such as a kitchen cabinet, desk or bookcase. It penetrates the wood well and you can more easily adjust the color. Oil-based stains are great for outside use such as decks.

3. Think of the variety of traditional wood colors (mahogany, oak, cherry and walnut) available in water-based stains. There are also colors of stains such as green, red and black.

4. Brush on, or apply, tung oil as the finish for outside furniture. Put the stain on and wipe it off with a rag. Prepare the wood by sanding as smooth as appropriate. Outside furniture will not need as much sanding. Use a piece of scrap wood as a practice sample to see how the stain will take to the wood and how much excess you need to wipe off.

5. Seal the wood once you achieve the right amount of stain to get a smoother finish.

6. Leave the project alone once you use the oil-based stain on an outside piece. Lightly sand it, moving in the direction of the grain. Apply the stain directly using a circular motion. Sand (using 180- or 200-grit sandpaper) the piece you are working with lightly. Afterwards, put two coats of the finish on your project.

Tips & Warnings

• Each coat of oil-based stain will take about an hour to dry.
• You can use an airless sprayer to stain furniture.
• Mix the stain frequently while you work before use and between applications.
• You just use a clear oil finish, such as walnut oil, on items that come into contact with food, such as a cutting board or wooden bowl.
• Use stains in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area.
• Only use airless spray guns outside.
• Never use oil stain for eating surfaces.
• Periodically (once a year or so), re-stain an outside wood deck finish. Polyurethane will be best and require less maintenance.

Resources

• Additional Tips for Staining Wood

[ruthom]

on 9/5/2009 After staining interior trim (window boxes, base boards, crown molding), should one seal the wood with a clear coat? ...or should one simply use Lemon Oil to condition the wood?