| Wood furniture has a rustic, down-to-earth feel that | | | | not want the finished product to be bumpy and |
| can add personality to any room. If you have a piece | | | | rough to the touch. Follow up by wiping it down with |
| that needs a new look, wood staining is an easy and | | | | a dry, lint-free cloth. |
| inexpensive way to not only enhance its appearance, | | | | Wood Staining Techniques |
| but also turn it into one-of-a-kind. The best part is | | | | A valuable wood staining tip is to wet the piece |
| that you do not have to be Van Gogh or Bob Villa to | | | | slightly with a clean paintbrush after sanding. This will |
| produce stained pieces that are attractive. With | | | | allow the stain to be distributed evenly. Load up your |
| some simple wood staining tips and a steady hand, | | | | brush with stain and apply using long, even |
| anyone can transform a tired-looking wooden table, | | | | brushstrokes. To achieve a softer look, gently wipe |
| chair or desk into a beautiful piece of furniture that | | | | the stained area with a clean rag. To avoid dark |
| will add flair to the room. | | | | spots, try not to dab with the brush and refrain from |
| Before you Begin | | | | overlapping any of the strokes. If dark spots do |
| Choose an area that allows ample space to work and | | | | occur, use a clean, lint-free cloth to lightly blend the |
| provides good ventilation. Working outside is ideal as | | | | area. |
| clean-up of sawdust is simple and the paint odor is | | | | When the task is completed, let the piece dry for at |
| not overwhelming. If you choose to work indoors, lay | | | | least 24 hours. Thereafter, check for bumps or |
| down a plastic tarp and several layers of newspaper | | | | imperfections, give the piece a light sanding, wipe |
| to protect your floors from paint splatters and drips. | | | | thoroughly, and apply a second coat of stain. When |
| You may want to elevate your piece on blocks of | | | | the second coat is completely dry, you can apply the |
| wood so that the legs will be easily accessible. Before | | | | varnish. Always be sure to use the same base of |
| opening the can of stain, shake it gently to mix the | | | | varnish as your stain, either oil or water-based. This is |
| contents. With a paint stick, stir again, and then pour | | | | one of the more cardinal wood staining tips to |
| about a half-inch into a small paint tray or jar, | | | | observe; oil and water do not mix! Apply the varnish |
| recovering the can after pouring. | | | | with the same long, even strokes that were used for |
| Tools Needed | | | | the stain and allow the piece to dry completely |
| - Sandpaper | | | | before touching. |
| - Foam paintbrush (a denser foam is recommended | | | | Maintenance |
| with a sturdy, plastic handle) | | | | Every wooden surface, regardless of which wood |
| - Damp and dry rags that are lint-free | | | | staining techniques were used, needs to be |
| - Can of stain | | | | maintained to keep its beautiful finish. Some stained |
| Prepare the wooden surface by sanding it with fine | | | | surfaces, such as patio furniture and wooden decks, |
| grit sandpaper to make sure it is smooth and ready | | | | may need to be retreated every 2-3 years as they |
| to stain. Thereafter, use a damp cloth to completely | | | | are subjected to weather conditions. In any case, an |
| remove all the dust. It is most important that the | | | | annual inspection of treated wooden surfaces is |
| piece be thoroughly cleaned after sanding in order for | | | | recommended. |
| the stain to apply on smoothly and evenly. You do | | | | |