A Quick Guide to Staining Wood Furniture
Have you ever looked at a piece of furniture that had a design you loved and a color you hated? Have you found pieces that would be beautiful in your house if only they matched the rest of your furniture? What would you say if we told you there was a way you could make furniture your own simply by applying a coat of stain?
Staining wood furniture can be a fantastic way to fit it to your style. Read on to learn how to properly stain your wood furniture.
Prep Your Surface
The first step when you get ready to stain unfinished wood is to prep your surface. Start by sanding your wood with 120-grit sandpaper two or three times, wiping down your wood with a clean, damp cloth between each sanding. This will help to remove any waxy buildup from the wood, as well as opening the grain to receive stain.
Oftentimes, it’s a good idea to apply a pre-stain conditioner to your projects before you break out the stain. Wipe the conditioner on and then let it soak into the wood for at least five or ten minutes before staining. This will help your wood to take up stain better, and waiting the proper time will ensure that your conditioner doesn’t water down your stain.
Coat the Wood
Once your wood is properly sanded and conditioned, it will be time to apply the stain. You can use a sponge, brush, or cloth to do this, depending on your preference. If you choose to use a cloth, be sure to use one that will not leave fibers behind in your finish; microfiber is an excellent choice for this.
Get a little stain on your brush, sponge, or cloth, and start by putting stain on the edges of your piece. Then begin working stain into the face of the wood, applying it in long, even strokes. This will help to prevent drips or darker spots where the stain pooled.
Finish Your Piece
After you get stain applied to your entire piece, you’ll need to wait to allow the stain to absorb into the grain. The longer you wait, the more stain will be absorbed, so bear that in mind when starting the staining process. After the stain has absorbed, wipe off any excess with a clean, smooth cloth, working in long, even strokes and resisting the urge to wipe the surface over and over again.
Give your stain time to dry, depending on the directions on your particular stain. Then you’ll be ready to apply a top coat that will seal and protect the wood, as well as making your stain shine. Apply this with a high-quality brush and do two coats, sanding your surface with 180-grit sandpaper between coats.
Start Staining Your Own Wood Furniture
Staining your own wood furniture can be a fantastic way to give it exactly the look you want. Be sure to sand your piece before you start applying stain, and always work in long, even passes. Wipe off any excess stain, give your piece time to dry, and then apply a top coat to seal the wood.
If you’d like to find the best wood furniture to finish, check out the rest of our site at Unfinished Furniture of Wilmington. We have everything from bookcases and benches to tables and more. Shop our collections today and find your next favorite piece of furniture.