Steps for Staining Unfinished Wood
All unfinished wood should be finished in some manner. Applying a wood stain to it will bring out its natural beauty, protect it and give it a tough, long-lasting exterior. Staining unfinished wood correctly, while a somewhat time-consuming task, will give a finish that is both professional-looking and effective. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Oil-based wood stain
- 100 grit sandpaper
- Vacuum cleaner
- Stir stick
- Natural-bristle brushes
- Clean cotton cloths
- Paint thinner
- Clear acrylic or polyurethane varnish
Instructions
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1
Sand your unfinished wood with 100-grit sand paper. Sand with the grain to achieve a smooth finish. Vacuum up all the debris. Any dust that remains in the room may compromise your stain finish. In addition, turn off any heating or cooling units as this too may stir up dust and other debris.
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2
Stir your container of oil-based wood stain thoroughly with a stick until it is an even consistency. Dip a clean natural-bristle brush into the pot and brush the stain liberally onto the wood.
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3
Wipe off excess stain with clean cotton cloths. Use a regular pressure on all parts of the wood in order to achieve a consistent finish. Discard cloths when they become moderately stained and continue wiping with a clean cloth.
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4
Examine your stain finish carefully. Any marks or obvious brush strokes need to be wiped once more. Apply more stain to any parts of the wood that appear too light and wipe off again. Wipe any areas of the wood that appear too dark with a cloth you have lightly moistened with paint thinner. Allow the stain to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Stir your clear acrylic or polyurethane varnish thoroughly until it is an even consistency. Use acrylic varnish for furniture and polyurethane varnish for wood floors and other surfaces that require a very tough finish.
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Dip a clean natural-bristle brush into your varnish. Brush on to the wood with the direction of the grain, using light pressure and even strokes. Allow the varnish to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply a second coat of varnish in the same manner and allow to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Saturate the wood when applying the stain. The more stain you use the better your finish will be, but be sure to always wipe of excess stain that is not absorbed by the wood.
Apply stain to an inconspicuous part of the wood you are staining first to test its color and coverage. Experiment by wiping it off using different amounts of pressure to achieve the finish you require. Alternatively use a different piece of the same kind of wood.
If the stain starts to set before you have wiped it off simply apply more stain and wipe off.
Never sweep after sanding the wood as this may release dust into the air and affect your finish.
