A Brief Guide to Staining Wood Like a Pro

Want to revamp your vintage wooden furniture or the wooden coffee table that you just thrifted? If yes, then you must consider buying a wood stain and dedicate a weekend to DIY your way through painting your furniture and giving them a new life. Wood stains are gaining popularity these days, mainly because of how easy they are to use. You don’t need to be a pro wood painter to use wood stains.

Are you new to the world of wood paints and wood stains? Lucky for you, we have brought to you an ultimate guide that will tell you everything that you must know about wood stains.

Different types of wood stains

There are various types of wood paints available in the market today. When it comes to choosing a wood stain, it all depends on your project and your budget. Here are two popular types of wood stains you can shop for in 2022.

Water-based wood stain

If you are looking for a sustainable wood stain that is environmental- friendly and doesn’t have a strong odour, then this is the perfect type of wood stain for you. Water-based stains come in almost every colour that you can imagine. Water-based stains dry in a blink and hence they might be difficult to apply. A pro tip is to work on one section at a time, when you are using water-based wood stain for a large surface.

Oil-based wood stain

People who want a wood stain that deeply penetrates the surface and is highly durable must buy an oil-based wood stain. Oil-based wood stain is popularly used by professional wood painters as they bring out the details and showcase the wood grain of a wooden surface. Oil-based wood stains take a long time to dry. This will work in your favour as you will get enough time to perfect your coats and achieve an evenly painted surface.
These stains have a strong odour. So, you must wear protective gears while using oil- based wood stains and ensure that the room you are painting in is well ventilated.

6 easy steps to stain wood like a pro

Gather all the tools

We are talking about everything from your sandpaper, tack cloth, brush, pre-stain wood conditioner, stain, drop cloth, mineral spirits and wood sealer.

Sand the surface

Use 120-150 grit sandpaper and thoroughly sand your wooden surface before you stain them. Make sure that you get a smooth canvas to work on. Next, use a brush and remove the dust off the wooden surface. You can also use a damp cloth to properly clean your wooden surface.

Read the instructions

You must read the instructions on the back of the wood stain to understand if the stain needs to be shaken before you use them or if you can use them directly. You will also get a better understanding of how to correctly use the stain and which stain applicator will suit the project best.

Apply the wood stain

For water-based wood stains, it is recommended that you use a synthetic bristle brush. On the other hand, for oil-based stains, you can use a paintbrush or a rag cloth. Make sure that you apply the stain evenly in the direction of the wood grain.

Remove excess stain

You can leave the oil-based stains for about 5-15 minutes before you wipe them off. Since water-based wood stains dry quickly, you must wipe them off within 2 minutes of application.

Apply a sealant

Once your wood stain has dried off completely, you can consider applying a polyurethane sealant that will help to protect the wooden surface and increase the shelf life of the wood stain. A pro tip is to apply a coat of the sealant, let it dry completely and then sand the surface before applying a second coat of the sealant. Use mineral spirit to clean any stain on the floor and allow the wooden surface to cure for at least a day.

Check out the Asian Paints website to get your hands on the best wood stains that you can use to breathe life into your old wooden furniture.