How to Stain Oak

Staining oak, which is a hardwood, is easy. Hardwoods have a tighter grain pattern than softwoods. Because of the tighter grain pattern, hardwoods do not absorb as quickly as softwoods. Other hardwoods include - Ash, Beech, Birch, Elm and Walnut to mention a few.

It is best to acquire all the products necessary for staining prior to beginning the project. Pick a well-lit, ventilated location to apply the stain. Try to find a place where the humidity will be at a constant. This will help the stain and finish to dry uniformly and in an optimal time period.

Stain has four forms. They include: oil-based, oil-based gel, water-based and a combination of stain/finish. Personal preference will help decide which stain to use. For those individuals who have not worked much with stain, I suggest using a water-based stain for easy clean up.

Required Material:

Stain and Finish (make sure both have the same base material, either oil or water)
Sandpaper (medium to fine grit, #120 to #220)
Tack cloth (used to wipe off excess sanding dust)
Rags (used to wipe off excess sanding dust, possibly apply stain, wipe excess stain off project)
Brushes (may be used in place of rags to apply stain)
Mineral spirits or water (used for clean-up)
Drop cloth or newspapers (used to lay under project to protect the floor)
Rubber gloves - optional (used to prevent hands from being stained)
Safety glasses - optional

Preparing the Wood

After the wood has been cut to size (for trim work) or the entire project has been completed, fill any holes or cracks with putty. After the putty has dried, sanding must be done to prepare the wood for staining. Begin by using a medium grit sandpaper (#120) and finish with a fine grit (#220). Always sand in the direction of the grain to prevent scratching the wood. Remove any sanding dust prior to staining. A tack cloth is recommended but a damp rag may be used.

Note - If a damp rag is chosen, make sure the appropriate based liquid is used. If an oil-based stain has been chosen, use mineral spirits to dampen the cloth. If a water-based stain has been chosen, use water to dampen the cloth.

Staining the Wood

A conditioner may be used to the wood before staining. It is not necessary to condition a hardwood before it is stained. It also does not hurt to condition hardwood. If a conditioner is used, the wood will take the stain in a consistent manner rather than absorbing faster in some areas.

Do a test stain to ensure the desired color is achieved. This may be done on the back of one of the pieces or a scrape piece of the same type of wood. Either use a rag or brush to apply the stain. This is personal preference. One is not better than the other. The main difference is the amount of cleanup that will need to be done. Using a brush, the tendency may be to leave more pools of stain than with a rag.

After the stain has been applied, wipe off any excess stain. Stay uniform in the amount of pressure you apply to the rag to wipe of the excess stain. The harder you push, the more stain you remove. Another coat of stain may be applied to achieve the richness that is desired. Wait the desired time frame, as stated on the label, in-between coats of stain.

Note - If the stain dries too heavily in an area, the finish has a tendency not to adhere well to the surface.

Finishing the Wood

After the stain has dried, it is time to apply the finish. Again, make sure the finish sealer has the same base as the stain, either oil-based or water-based. Apply the finish sealer with a brush, following the grain. Allow the finish sealer to dry between coats as stated on the label instructions. After the sealer has dried, lightly sand with a find grit (#220) sandpaper to remove and imperfections. Wipe down with a tack cloth or rag before applying the next coat. A minimum of three coats should be used to ensure adequate luster.

Note - If a one-step stain finish sealer is used, combine staining the wood and finishing the wood. It eliminates separating the two.

Cleanup

Use the proper liquid to clean the brushes. If an oil-based stain was chosen, use an oil-based remover such as mineral spirits. If a water-based stain was chosen, use water for cleanup. Throw away any rags, newspaper or paper towel that were used. These items may spontaneously ignite.

Note - When cleaning the paintbrushes, always clean with the bristles down. This prevents the finish from settling in the barrel and hardening. When this happens, the brush is ruined.

After the last coat of finish has dried, enjoy the finished project!

Product Information

All products may be purchased at your local hardware store. In the mid-West, the main stores are Menards, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware. Stains run in price from $3.84 to $35.00 depending on the size can that is needed. Foam stain and spray on stain may be purchased as well. Wood filler sells for a price between $2.49 and $8.98 per container. Sandpaper is sold in single or multiple grit packages. Prices vary based on vendor. Wood finish or sealer runs in the price range of $4.16 to $37.00 depending on the size of can needed for the project.