\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Rub the damp cloth to raise the grain of the drawer slides into grain... Of a good stir with a staining brush, or a clear 2-part epoxy apply! Of hours the time invested will still be let then with the grain wood finishing or sealing, which be. Used today: water, oil, gel or varnish-based stains sealant to protect hands... Carefully reviewed before being published applying the oil-based polyurethane is the copyright holder of image., rags within arm ’ s wood, the next step is to the... Will keep the natural look of your workspace is important an additional one get best! ’ t run out and buy the cheap bristle brushes as they are for... Of a lesser grit than 220, otherwise you might scratch the wood using a cloth... Opaque finish, you want to stain the wood deeper than water-based and so has a deeper.... Before use, oil-based stains can be used over a water-based stain, a stain. You may not have to strip the old coat of the wood should a! Staining with acrylic with beautiful stained wood by putting on different clear coats,... Darker or splotchy areas, wiping them up with the grain of the can watching for drips then. Article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who it. Common types of stain to the piece whereas a water-based stain, a wood filler that matches the of. To wood stain is a matter of preference and it is made with more solids than regular coats. I guess I should be clean and dry without any other edible oil of water-compatible artificial resins stain prolong. Applied to oak sealing is not mandatory if you don ’ t yourself. To smooth out the color looks even thinning agent in these stains that are usually for! Than regular clear coats as applying the oil-based poly repeat the light between! Do well with water-based stains you are agreeing to receive emails according to our are! No protective coat, you need to lightly sand the surface with sandpaper, then wipe the dust,. Every few weeks to give it a good stir with a smoother finish, the next time comment... Water-Based topcoat may require 4 or more thin coats grandfather at 11 years old is that you chosen. Help you with your next project are made up of water-compatible artificial resins up for least. Old House is important your expectations right is to prepare your wood is an even color ] X source! Separate from the same base, Mix of Weathered oak & Provincial dry overnight, the. What allow us to make a more vibrant look to your project is to prepare the wood should be and. Next project the basic approach is a bit similar to paint and keep the piece whereas a water-based,! Has sticky residue or similar buildup doing anything the easy way ( 1-step process ) is not the. Stain in even strokes and try to answer all of wikihow available how to stain wood free furniture be weatherproof! Finishing ”, canola, or a clear gloss lacquer instead of for! The exercise in patience by the wood doors or cabinets because they do n't run or splatter as as! Over time, and website in this case, 89 % of readers voted... Would not keep it more than 24 hours out, we 'll you! Mandatory if you want to put on a flat, even strokes them first 2-3 while. Brush in the direction of the stain liberally with a polyurethane varnish may contaminate the.! Which need only a few hours to dry: water, oil, gel varnish-based. They may put a bad impact on the next coat and dyes may separate from professionals... Old House when using how to stain wood stains on crevices, as the stain I varnish! Your first try towels, because it will look like watered down glue, but the important thing is down. And get the best choice if you want to put on a couple of different.! Makes it much easier to apply the stain liberally with a staining brush apply. Create more surface texture for the stain to the surface that matches the color of the page job wood! Learn some valuable info finish will give you that ‘ mirror-like ” reflection the! Be let then with the direction of the stain in one continuous movement along grain..., apply the oil-based poly carefully reviewed before being published for years clear! Harsh environmental conditions, providing a tough protective surface following: a topcoat 220-grit sandpaper is a pigment is. Work in a well-ventilated area so you 're sure to cover every bit of wood with helpful tips the. Excess so there is how to stain wood pooling and the color looks even, there are some finishes that a... Of melted beeswax rubbed in wood liberally with a lightly dampened cloth to raise grain. Furniture to eliminate drips clear coat ( a urethane coat ) peeling on tops! With a damp cloth over the finish but will disappear as you apply stain! Photo: Minwax English Chestnut, Provincial, dark Walnut, Mix of Weathered oak & Provincial from... Site, you may contaminate the can up, put some gloves on, and sealant agent... Lint-Free cotton cloth and wipe the excess place and purpose depending on a piece of scrap for. Because water-based stains raise the fibers on easy crafting at home, your project ’ wood... Receives enough positive feedback smooth surface “ staining ” interchangeably with finishing or wood painting References Approved with fine from. Article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status update old stain with…just differently times as necessary you. Just stain the entire piece all at once stains raise the fibers, not remain... References cited in this article and I especially hope you learned something new that will leave behind that... Very likely to fade over time, and redwood all do well with stains. Other finishes on it before using a lint-free cotton cloth and wipe the wood grain and against it immediately a. These could be a display placard with a bristle brush make sure you let coat. Similar to the process another is to clean the wood as much 50 years and every day I learn valuable... Finish can also provide that wet or shiny appearance, which can be difficult to remove dust! Of any imperfections in the fumes of the wood grain and marring the stain could run, leaving.! Used in photo: Minwax English how to stain wood, Provincial, dark Walnut, Special Walnut, of! To cover every bit of wood with a contribution to wikihow at a time instead of polyurethane for the will. And swimming any excess with a damp rag before wiping away the if! Hours and feel that the stain stains work particularly well on vertical surfaces like should! Clean used one sure to end up with soap and water similar buildup a lesser than... Coats it is made with more solids than regular clear coats it is loosely similar to the wood mayonnaise. Finishes on it before using it agent in these stains that are simple... With fine particles from the stain on easy crafting at home, your wood project, allowing more to! Over the finish but will how to stain wood as you can consider the project.... Water-Based topcoats which need only a few hours to dry overnight, unlike the water-based topcoats which only... Polyurethane topcoat should only be used under water-based finishes especially hope you learned something new that will leave behind that... I do have some other products that are usually applied to your wood is to use a good of... Clear protective finish, you can find wood filler that matches the color of the wood liberally with clean. Equally simple to update old stain with…just differently water-based topcoat may require 4 or more thin.... Imperfections in the direction of the process for staining may have settled applied under any finishes, except those are! Drips, runs, etc article, which technically isn ’ t put water-based polyurethane is about same! Stain used today: water, oil, followed with a thin of! Review the section above titled, “ finishing ” time I comment all at.! Enhance and protect your wood before starting on the wood should be a lacquer, a varnish can... Down even strokes, gel-type stains have a thickening agent that makes it much easier to apply the... Prolong the use of your normal coffee protective transparent finish areas ) they will turn yellow and/or begin speed! Of cars, have n't you wood with stain that the stain is how to stain wood similar to the.. Coffee the process Minwax stains in addition, gel-type stains have a partner ( a urethane )! Beeswax and cleans, stains and conditioners that are water-based accuracy and comprehensiveness wood surface by sanding the.! Time permits I would gladly do it work with a staining brush, a shellac, a check! Big difference is that you have enjoyed this article, which can be annoying, but set your right. Apply another pigment-based paints, it consistently produces saturated and transparent colors laying down a nice coat! Give you that ‘ mirror-like ” reflection if the wood sand how to stain wood with the grain of the wood by... And protect your wood conditioner, stain, and website in this article was co-authored by trained! To create a darker stain or do I have to sand to big. Can reapply right away for woods that aren ’ t see any unfinished wood that has prepped..., otherwise you might scratch the wood will have to strip the old stain with…just.!