Montgomery Decor

Wood furniture has a rustic, down-to-earth feel that can add personality to any room. If you have a piece that needs a new look, wood staining is an easy and inexpensive way to not only enhance its appearance, but also turn it into one-of-a-kind. The best part is that you do not have to be Van Gogh or Bob Villa to produce stained pieces that are attractive. With some simple wood staining tips and a steady hand, anyone can transform a tired-looking wooden table, chair or desk into a beautiful piece of furniture that will add flair to the room.

Before you Begin

Choose an area that allows ample space to work and provides good ventilation. Working outside is ideal as clean-up of sawdust is simple and the paint odor is not overwhelming. If you choose to work indoors, lay down a plastic tarp and several layers of newspaper to protect your floors from paint splatters and drips. You may want to elevate your piece on blocks of wood so that the legs will be easily accessible. Before opening the can of stain, shake it gently to mix the contents. With a paint stick, stir again, and then pour about a half-inch into a small paint tray or jar, recovering the can after pouring.

Tools Needed

• Sandpaper
• Foam paintbrush (a denser foam is recommended with a sturdy, plastic handle)
• Damp and dry rags that are lint-free
• Can of stain

Prepare the wooden surface by sanding it with fine grit sandpaper to make sure it is smooth and ready to stain. Thereafter, use a damp cloth to completely remove all the dust. It is most important that the piece be thoroughly cleaned after sanding in order for the stain to apply on smoothly and evenly. You do not want the finished product to be bumpy and rough to the touch. Follow up by wiping it down with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Wood Staining Techniques

A valuable wood staining tip is to wet the piece slightly with a clean paintbrush after sanding. This will allow the stain to be distributed evenly. Load up your brush with stain and apply using long, even brushstrokes. To achieve a softer look, gently wipe the stained area with a clean rag. To avoid dark spots, try not to dab with the brush and refrain from overlapping any of the strokes. If dark spots do occur, use a clean, lint-free cloth to lightly blend the area.

When the task is completed, let the piece dry for at least 24 hours. Thereafter, check for bumps or imperfections, give the piece a light sanding, wipe thoroughly, and apply a second coat of stain. When the second coat is completely dry, you can apply the varnish. Always be sure to use the same base of varnish as your stain, either oil or water-based. This is one of the more cardinal wood staining tips to observe; oil and water do not mix! Apply the varnish with the same long, even strokes that were used for the stain and allow the piece to dry completely before touching.

Maintenance

Every wooden surface, regardless of which wood staining techniques were used, needs to be maintained to keep its beautiful finish. Some stained surfaces, such as patio furniture and wooden decks, may need to be retreated every 2-3 years as they are subjected to weather conditions. In any case, an annual inspection of treated wooden surfaces is recommended.