How to Stain Wood
Know what type of wood you have before you begin., Consider a wood conditioner for soft woods., Keep in mind that hard woods will take more coats.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know what type of wood you have before you begin.
This will determine how you proceed and the effect you can expect at the end.
Basic wood types are:
Softwoods- Pine, Fir and Cedar. (etc.) Hardwoods- Oak, Beech, Ash, Elm, Birch and Walnut.(etc.) This is sometimes confusing because you have:
Box wood and Aspen:
A very soft Hardwood.
Fir:
A very hard Softwood. -
Step 2: Consider a wood conditioner for soft woods.
If the wood has uneven wood grain, or blotchy patterns to it, chances are it is a softwood.
When you stain it, it will stain unevenly.
You may want this, to let the stain enhance the natural beauty of the wood.
If you do not want this, place a pre-stain wood conditioner on your wood.
It seeps into the wood fibers so that the wood will stain evenly.
Check with the manufacturer. , If the wood has a consistent flow or pattern to the grain, it's probably a hardwood.
Use whatever stain you wish to enhance the wood grain.
Hardwoods, such as oak, may take a few more coatings of stain than softwood, but the results are still very pleasing. -
Step 3: Keep in mind that hard woods will take more coats.
Detailed Guide
This will determine how you proceed and the effect you can expect at the end.
Basic wood types are:
Softwoods- Pine, Fir and Cedar. (etc.) Hardwoods- Oak, Beech, Ash, Elm, Birch and Walnut.(etc.) This is sometimes confusing because you have:
Box wood and Aspen:
A very soft Hardwood.
Fir:
A very hard Softwood.
If the wood has uneven wood grain, or blotchy patterns to it, chances are it is a softwood.
When you stain it, it will stain unevenly.
You may want this, to let the stain enhance the natural beauty of the wood.
If you do not want this, place a pre-stain wood conditioner on your wood.
It seeps into the wood fibers so that the wood will stain evenly.
Check with the manufacturer. , If the wood has a consistent flow or pattern to the grain, it's probably a hardwood.
Use whatever stain you wish to enhance the wood grain.
Hardwoods, such as oak, may take a few more coatings of stain than softwood, but the results are still very pleasing.
About the Author
Ruth Perez
Brings years of experience writing about practical skills and related subjects.
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