How to Stain a Subfloor

Subfloors present a blank canvas that too many of people do not take advantage of. If you want the look of stained wood and the ease of paint, or you want to stain your subfloor to look like a rich wood, faux finishing is an inexpensive and easy technique. It's also a way to express your creativity and fill your home with your talents and unique touch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood putty Paint brush
• Sand paper
• Tack cloth
• Paint brush
• Wood graining tool
• Cleaning rags
• Stain
• Polyurethane

1. Fill all seams, cracks and dimples in the subfloor with wood putty.

2. Sand surface with a very fine sandpaper.

3. Remove dust with a tack cloth. This sanding and cleaning will provide the optimum surface for your stain finish.

4. Apply the stain with a brush in a long and single stroke.

5. Roll the wood graining tool over the stain, rocking back at intervals to create wood grain and knots. Periodically clean the wood-graining tool. Continue until the floor is fully stained. Allow to dry thoroughly.

6. Cover the finished subfloor with a durable protective cover such as polyurethane. This will provide a smooth finish to the floor as well as protect it from excessive wear.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on scrap plywood or particle board to perfect your technique. The wood you choose to practice on should be the wood that is used as your subfloor.
• Applying multiple layers of polyurethane will provide more protection to your finish. Remember to sand lightly in between coats and to allow each layer to dry thoroughly before applying another coat.