Tips for Staining Wood Furniture

The first thing to staining wood furniture is to make absolutely certain that you sand it first. For this you will need sand paper (no power sanders since they will not get into the small spaces). If it is painted furniture you will have to apply paint stripper to remove the old paint and then sand it.

Second make sure to clean the furniture thoroughly leaving now dirt and dust on it. This you simply need to use a wet rag and water. There is no real need to apply any type of cleaner unless there is dirt or something that cannot be removed with just water.

Third you will always want to make sure the furniture is completely dry with no moisture at all on it before beginning the staining.

Fourth if there are any deep scratches or dents you will need to apply colored wood putty or wood filler. The wood putty is much more reliable.

Fifth make absolutely sure that the putty is completely dry before starting the staining.

Sixth you are now ready to stain and will need a rag or a brush to apply the stain. However, make absolutely certain that is you are using a rag it is one that will not shed as you use it. A rag usually will apply the stain thicker and more evenly than a brush, but it is whatever you are comfortable with.

Seventh, and probably the most important thing to remember, is to always try your best to make only one stroke from top to bottom of the furniture or from end to end (whichever way you are laying the furniture to stain it). If you stop and have to start again there will be an overlap in the stain and will usually be fairly noticeable.

Eighth, of course you always want to make sure that the stain is dry on one side before flipping the furniture over to do the other side. Stain usually dries pretty fast though.

Ninth you will need to put polyurethane on it once the stain has dried. The polyurethane is what makes your stain hard and shiny and easier to clean. You will need to apply the polyurethane with a brush, however.

Tenth step back and look at the professional job you did yourself.

Thus staining wood furniture can be a do-it-yourself job if you will just use these few tips.

Source:

Having a husband who has professionally painted for 35 years