How to Stain Wood Like a Pro Step-by-Step

When you want to accentuate grain pattern and improve the durability of a wood surface, stain is often the way to go. But where do you start?

Stains, glazes, and colorants are finishing products designed to alter or enhance the coloration of wood and other surfaces. These solutions can effectively lighten, darken, saturate, or dilute the wood to appeal to a specific look or style and help promote longevity. They are not the same as paints, as paint obscures the grain pattern and sits atop the surface. Stains, glazes, and colorants penetrate the wood surface, absorbed by the wood to accentuate or enrich its natural appearance.

How to Stain Wood: Preparation

It’s not usually a good idea to go right in with a stain. In other words, pre-treating the wood (whether by sanding, filling, conditioning, or all of the above) is an essential preliminary step before applying any sort of finish, stain included. Not only does pre-treatment make application less tedious but proper prep of your wood surface will also guarantee best results, including optimal coloration.

Before you start staining, make sure the surface of your project is prepped, which may include doing any of the following:

• Cleaning or wiping down the wood
• Repairing any gaps, cracks, and holes with putty or filler
• Sanding
• Using wood conditioner or applying a base coat of pre-stain

Best Stains for Different Wood Types

When it comes to wood stain, the desired color and grain appearance will often determine the specific solution you choose. Several general types of wood stains exist, and they all have their time and place:

• Water-based wood stain: Generally best for softwoods and indoor application.
• Oil-based wood stain: Generally best for exteriors and high-wear surfaces.
• Gel wood stain: Generally best for novices and vertical surfaces.

Staining Wood: Step-by-Step

The specific approach you take to staining will rely on the type of stain you’re using and the existing condition of the wood, but here are the five basic steps for staining wood:

• Prep surface: Wipe down, sand, and otherwise prepare the wood surface for stain application.
• Stir and test: Stir the stain solution thoroughly and test it on a small area or piece of scrap wood before applying it to the final product.
• Apply first coat: Use a brush, rag, roller, or sprayer (depending on the stain type) to apply an even coat of the stain, allowing the wood a chance to absorb the stain, and then wipe away any excess.
• Apply subsequent coats: After the first coat has dried completely (refer to manufacturer’s instructions for drying duration), repeat step three as needed—many stains require several coats for maximum color intensity.
• Apply finish: Wait 24-48 hours before applying a sealer or other finish such as catalyzed lacquer, and allow the topcoat to fully cure before utilizing the project.

Mistakes to Avoid When Staining Wood

Although staining wood isn’t necessarily a complicated task, there are a few missteps to avoid to achieve the ideal finish:

• Perhaps one of the most repeated pieces of advice in the finishing world is to allow each coat to fully dry and cure—this is the only way to guarantee optimal color matching and stain performance.
• When it comes to drying, finishing solutions are dependent on proper evaporation—ensure the surrounding environment’s temperature and humidity levels are within range so the stain can dry properly.
• Don’t use a stain (or any finishing solution for that matter) that is past its recommended shelf life or pot life—this sacrifices the quality of the solution and may lead to application issues.
• Stain in sections, applying in small areas and wiping away as you go. Leaving the stain to harden on top of the wood or applying a thick coat makes the surface sticky and leads to blotches.
  
  

Mitigating Common Issues

How to Remove Water Stains from Wood

Depending on the severity of the stain and the condition of the wood, several methods can be employed to eliminate (or significantly reduce) water stains from wood, such as:

• Using an iron: Place an iron set to low heat over a microfiber cloth covering the stain in increments of 10 seconds.
• Using vinegar and baking soda: Soak a microfiber cloth in a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and water and set it over the stain for an hour. If it’s still visible after the soak, sprinkle baking soda onto the stain followed by a few drops of vinegar and gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush.
• Using olive oil and salt: Mix equal parts salt and olive oil to create a paste and apply directly to the stain. Allow it to sit for several minutes, then wipe away with a damp cloth.
• Using denatured alcohol: You can also try removing moisture stains by scrubbing with a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol.

Note: Be sure to test your selected cleaning solution on a small or non-visible piece of the surface first to ensure the wood can tolerate the product’s acidity. You can also try applying a high-quality sealant after staining to minimize water damage.

How to Remove Other Stains from Wood

Naturally, the approach you take to stain removal will depend heavily on what caused the stain and the state of the wood’s finish. Try one of these methods if you’re trying to figure out how to remove stains from wood:

• Vinegar and baking soda: This combination can also be employed for stains other than water. See the instructions in the previous section.
• Sandpaper: If the stain doesn’t deeply penetrate the wood, the solution can be as simple as some sanding to wear it away. It may require sandpaper of different grits, but sometimes stains can be sanded down.
• Chemical wood stain remover: A chemical stripper is typically only applied if you intend to remove pigments completely from a wood surface. Any topcoats must be removed using this product prior to refinishing.
• Bleach: Oxalic acid (wood bleach) is often used as a lightening agent but doesn’t change the natural color of the wood. Chlorine bleach works similarly.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Mixing one part water with one part hydrogen peroxide and scrubbing with a microfiber towel can help to remove darker stains from wood.

Maintaining Stained Wood

To ensure the longevity of stained wood and maintain a vivid color, apply the stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, confirm that the wood surface is clean and dry before going in with a stain. For projects finished with only stain and no protective topcoat, the stain will likely need to be reapplied depending on the amount of regular wear to the surface. Some finished pieces of furniture may require regular application of wood conditioner for a lasting shine.

The best way to keep stained wood looking its best is by sealing it with a protective topcoat like lacquer, polyurethane, or conversion varnish. These clear or mostly clear coating solutions are intended to preserve the integrity of the project without altering the natural appearance of the wood.

How to Find the Perfect Wood Stain

Once again, your desired results will ultimately determine the ideal stain option for your project, but it certainly helps to have a grasp on the basics of staining before making your choice. Luckily, the coating experts at FinishWorks have years of expertise in matching makers with the perfect stain, backed by a huge selection of premium finishing products. We offer everything you need to take you all the way across the finish line—browse our wide range of wood staining and finishing products to see for yourself!