There are many reasons as to why people decide to finish or stain wood. Finishing things like furniture, siding, decking, flooring, or shelves to name a few common projects that include wood, helps to bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain. Finishing the wood for a table for example, can not only make it more vibrant but also more durable so the furniture lasts longer and has more resistance against damage.
While there is a wide variation of finishes to choose from, the process on how to finish wood stays relatively the same throughout. Regardless of the type of finish that will work best for different projects, it is likely that these three super easy steps on how to complete wood stain projects will remain the same.
Step 1: Diving into step number one on how to start a wood stain project begins with the art of preparation of the wood. This is the most important part as it will allow for the stain to absorb evenly throughout any project. Begin preparing the wood for staining by using sanding paper to sand down in the direction of the grain of the wood. Once this step is completed, ensure that any extra dust particles are wiped away with a cloth or paper towel. If extra particles are left on the piece of wood after sanding, the project will likely turn out quite bumpy and uneven.
Step 2: Pre-staining the wood is going to be the essential second step in this process. The idea with pre-staining conditioner is that it will allow the stain to be absorbed by the wood equally amongst the grain. This will prevent an uneven and patchy finish which is quite common if zero pre-stain is used throughout this process. Applying pre-stain conditioner is simple, all that is needed is a paintbrush and a rag. Initially make sure the wood is clear of any debris, then simply dip the paintbrush into the pre-stain and begin laying on a few layers in the same direction as the grain. Go from top to bottom, and once the piece of wood is completely covered, simply wipe off any excess with a rag.
Step 3: The final step in the staining project is going to be the staining process of course! Firstly ensure the stain is stirred evenly throughout, again to avoid a blotchy finish. Then using a thick bristle brush, dip the tip of the brush into the stain and begin painting on the stain to the wood being used. There is no specific method to do this, but it is recommended to keep the brush strokes going in the same direction.
This means to avoid moving the brush horizontally and vertically, simply stick to the same motion used with steps one and two, simply move the brush vertically up and down until the entire piece of wood is covered. From this point, it is important to note that the longer the stain remains on the wood, the darker the wood will become. Finally, wipe off any excess stain using the same motion. Wiping away in the direction of the grain to ensure the stain remains smooth throughout the entire process.
Bonus tip: Keep in mind that when staining wood it is important to avoid leaving excess stain on top of the wood grain. Let the piece of furniture dry for several hours before adding another coat to make the piece darker if necessary.
There you have it! These are the three easy steps to stain wooden tables, shelves, nightstands, any project that comes to mind!
