How to Dry Wood Stain
Staining wood can dramatically change the appearance of boards or furniture. Depending on the color of the stain, it can bring out the lines in the wood and highlight knots to emphasize the beauty of the piece you are staining.
There are many colors of stain to choose from, and with a few tricks you can get the stain to match your current decor almost perfectly by regulating how long you leave the stain on the wood before you wipe it off and let it dry.
Things You Will Need
- Stain
- Rags
Tip
Choose a room that is warm, dry and well ventilated to work in while staining wood and drying stained wood. Allow for longer drying times during times of high humidity.
Warning
Always work in a well ventilated area when working with wood stain. Place rags used to wipe up wood stain in a water-filled metal container immediately after use. Properly dispose of the used rags according to local regulations.
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Use a soft, absorbent rag to wipe away excess stain after applying the stain to your project. Set the cloth aside. Choose a clean rag and rub harder into the wood. Rub off the stain until it is the color you desire. The more you rub, the lighter the stain will become and it will lessen the overall drying time.
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Place the object in the position you want it to dry. Place the object where it will not rest against or touch anything else that could cause the stain to rub off even more. Wait 15 minutes. Look for drips and runs that may have appeared from places where the stain pooled up inside knots, cuts or edges in the wood. Wipe away any drips or runs you see. Rub as necessary to match the overall color. Reapply a small amount of stain if necessary and wipe dry.
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Allow wood stained with oil-based wood stains to air dry for eight hours before sealing with a sealant. Allow wood stained with water-based stains to air dry for 24 hours before sealing with a sealant.
The Drip Cap
- Staining wood can dramatically change the appearance of boards or furniture.
- There are many colors of stain to choose from, and with a few tricks you can get the stain to match your current decor almost perfectly by regulating how long you leave the stain on the wood before you wipe it off and let it dry.
- Wipe away any drips or runs you see.
- Allow wood stained with oil-based wood stains to air dry for eight hours before sealing with a sealant.
References
Writer Bio
Julie Eger lives in central Wisconsin and has been writing for eHow since May of 2009. She received a scholarship to attend the Rhinelander School of Arts in 2007 when she submitted a piece entitled "Discovering the Writer Within Me." Her story, "The Drawing of the Shoe," was voted best in class.
Photo Credits
- aged wood wall image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com
- aged wood wall image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com
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