How to Stain Wood: A Basic Step By Step Process

Oil-based stain is the most popular worldwide for interior design projects. It is durable and can break through tough wood layers. Linseed oil is natural and non-toxic and preserves a wood finish or paint. Oil-based stains are versatile as they can be thinned with mineral spirits.
Related: What Is The Best Way To Remove Stain From Wood?

History Of Wood Stain

Gels are the newest addition to the stain family and were first made available to the public in the late 20th century. The stain is a high-viscosity liquid with thick, jelly pigments.
Remember, stains provide color, and not a finish. Here are the most popular wood stain colors:
Water-based stain is thinner because it uses water. It contains water-soluble aniline dyes that passes color. Water-soluble aniline dyes are chemically derived. The dyes are made with powder from coal. 

In What Is The Difference Between Finish And Stain?

Use TSP soap or a degreasing sap to clean the wood surface before applying the new stain. Dust or grime will prevent it from sticking and could give the surface a bumpy look.
Stain an inconspicuous spot on your piece, such as the underside of the bench. 
In the 1920s, stains were manufactured and became more available to the public.

• Gray
• White
• Colored

Different Types Of Wood Grain Stain

Oil-Based Stains

Use a natural bristle brush or foam brush to apply the polyurethane. When staining wood, you’ll want to apply it with the grain in an even but light coat. Allow the poly to dry for 3-4 hours or until it is dry and not tacky. Lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper, wipe clean and apply a second coat.

Water Based

Apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain. Be sure to brush away drips, as these may cause odd lines or unevenness in your finished stain. You can use a tack cloth to catch any waste.
Otherwise known as grain raising stains (NGRS), they are ready-to-use and dissolved in glycol ether blended with ethanol, retarder, or methanol. Unlike other stains, their color lasts longer and doesn’t fade easily.

Lacquer

In 1750, wax was used to stain wood. The practice carried over into the next century when woodworkers began using beeswax. During the Victorian Age, a wood surface was finished with hardening oil, varnish, and wax.

Water-Soluble Dye

Metal Dye

Apply wood stain to the surface with a tack cloth or synthetic bristle brush. Use it evenly and go with the direction of the grain or in a circular motion. You could also try a lint free rag for smaller projects.

Varnish Wood

Gel

After the stain has dried, and you like the result, apply the protective coat. Remember, the top coat should be the same as your pre-stain and stain – oil-based to oil-based, water-based to water-based. This example uses a clear coat polyurethane for the finishing coat.

Can You Stain Green Treated Wood?

Types of Treated Wood

• Wet-treated wood – this is the most common and will be wet when you buy it. It may even “spit” at you when you nail it down. Let it dry before you stain it.  
• Water repellent treated wood – look for a tag that says “Thompsonized” or ask the dealer if your lumber is this type.
• Kiln-dried pressure-treated lumber -stain the wood immediately with water based stains.

DIY Level: Beginner

Remove excess stain with a clean cloth. Don’t let the excess sit on your unfinished wood. It will look blotchy and will be sticky.

Stain Wood Materials:

• Unfinished or scrap piece of wood, clean and dry.
• Wood conditioner.
• Stain of your choice.
• Wood finishing coat, such as polyurethane.
• Bristle brush.
• Lint free rags.
• Drop cloth.

On average, after applying stain, it will take between 24 and 48 hours to dry. Depending on your wood furniture, you might need to wait 72 hours before applying polyurethane to finish your project. 

Stain Wood – A Step By Step Guide

Start with pre-stain, or pre stain wood conditioner

Repeat the sand-and-apply-poly process several times. This example shows two coats of polyurethane. Allow 48 hours for the polyurethane to dry.

Pre Stain Wood Conditioner

If staining over a polyurethane surface, use a gel stain. Polyurethane is a sealer that makes surfaces non-absorbent. A gel will complement the surface.
Begin with your pre-stain, or pre stain wood conditioner. Make sure the piece is clean and dry. When you prep wood, there should be no finishes on it or this will not work. Use a stripping agent to remove previous finishes.
Congratulations. You’ve just completed your wood project.

Allow Pre Stain Wood Conditioner To Dry

These types of stains have strong pigments that bolster wood grains and leave surfaces with a smooth finish. One downside is they dry fast, which makes them hard to work with for DIY newcomers. With water-based stains, the most important step is cleaning and drying the wood’s surface.

Clean Surface

To remove wood stain from your carpet, you can use acetone and a lint free rag as a DIY solution. Blot the stain and wipe. For bigger stains, WD-40 or lacquer thinner will help break down the stain particles. If all else fails, enlist the services of a professional carpet cleaner and steam clean the carpet stains.

Top Coat

Also, finish is thicker than stain. Wood that has been stained and coated with polyurethane or lacquer will give the surface a richer color and a wet look.
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Apply Stain

Apply pre-stain wood conditioner with a clean bristle brush to a portion of your wood. If the pre-stain is absorbing, move to the rest of your wood piece.
For outdoor wood projects, pressure-treated lumber is common. It is recommended to stain treated wood. Staining pressure-treated wood is good for outdoor wood furniture and structures. When working with treated wood, you can reduce surface cracking.
Wait 5-15 minutes for the pre-stain wood conditioner to be absorbed before you start staining.
If your paint adheres without bleed-through, you can paint over stained wood and you won’t have to prime. If streaks appear, then you will need to prime with a bonding, stain-blocking primer.
Wood takes stain differently based on its surface and if it’s already sealed. Stain cannot sit on wood, but should  soak and dry in wood pores. If the wood you’re working with has been sealed by polyurethane or a finish, it will be useless because it won’t reach the wood pores.

After you’ve used stain and you have some leftover, do not throw it away. Stains are pricey, but they’ll be fine sitting in a can for extended periods. If a skin coat forms on the top, then throw it away. 

Allow Stain To Dry

After applying, waiting, and wiping the stain over your wood piece, take a break. You’ll need to wait at least eight hours or more, depending on the humidity and temperature. Allow the stain to absorb and dry.

Wipe Clean

Before you can make wood darker, make sure the existing stain is compatible with what is already on the wood.

Apply the stain to an inconspicuous spot with. a bristle brush, such as the underside of the bench.
Oil-based stain, like walnut and linseed oil, rosin, amber, copal, gum, turpentine, and cheap wine were mixed so that it made wood harder and longer-lasting. The oil base would create a film over the surface to protect it from scratches, abrasions, and indoor moisture.
Sand the surface with medium grit sandpaper or 220 grit sandpaper for a textured feel. It will help the stain adhere to the surface.

Protective Coat

After staining the hidden areas, you’re ready to finish your wood project. Be sure to check the time and follow in the same manner so your stain will absorb evenly.
Use a lint free cloth to clean the surface.
You can remove wood stains with rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol and acetone. Use a clean rag and solvents and rub the skin. Afterward, rinse your skin with lukewarm water and soap.
Wait 5-15 minutes for the stain to absorb. (This example shows a 7-minute absorption time of Dark Walnut stain.) The longer the stain has to absorb into the wood, the deeper the color, the darker the wood will be.
Work in small sections, one area at a time, to create an even stain.
Remove excess parts from the wood that you want to stain. For example, if you’re working on a door, remove the doorknobs and handles.

Second Coat Of Stain

Do not put a wood conditioner over wood stain. You should use wood conditioner beforehand. If you apply a conditioner afterward, it will remove the stain.

Final Result

It’s amazing how stained wood can make common wood look stunning.
You need to know what you’re working with, from oil based and water-based stains to pre stain wood conditioner. Remember, wood stains provide color, not a finish.

If for some reason you decide a few hours later that you want your wood piece a bit darker, reapply a second coat of stain, following the same procedure. Allow it to dry after the second coat of stain has been wiped away.

How to Stain Wood Darker

The difference between stain and finish is that the former adds color while wood finishes seal and protect wood from moisture. A stain isn’t a finish because it requires varnish or you have to apply a second coat of finish to protect the wood.

Preparation

Staining wood is a great way to tap into your DIY skills. The only daunting thing about staining is that it’s permanent. And because there are multiple products available, it’s understandable if staining wood might be difficult if it’s your first time.

Sanding Stain Wood

If you’ve never stained wood before or worked with a wood finish, don’t worry, we will show you. At the end, you will know how to turn your favorite bare wood furniture into small treasures.
Stain wood pieces can enhance a home’s beauty and style. The right stain on furniture makes a huge difference when decorating a living space.  

Apply Wood Stain

As ironic as this may seem, lacquer stains don’t have lacquer in them, they’re just called lacquer stains. The stains dry fast and have an unmistakable odor due to the ketones and xylene in them. These types are thinner, which means they dry fast but require more than one coat.

Toner

These types are hard drying so they keep their color much better on wood surfaces. They are ideal for small wood projects. Although they are strong, you will need to apply more than one coat.

How To Stain Wood Conclusion

Note: The pre-stain, stain, and topcoat must be compatible. If one is oil-based, the others must be oil-based. A water-based stain doesn’t work well on top of oil-based pre-stains, for example.

Cover the wood with pre-stain wood conditioner so it evens the wood and the stain will be absorbed.