There are numerous wood stains available for the DIYer to use on their home DIY projects, the wood stain can transform the finished look of your project. If possible I prefer to test the stain on the timber in an inconspicuous spot to see if the finish/colour is what I want before applying the stain to all of the timber.
After you have tested a small area, and you’re happy with the results, be sure to give the stain a good stir before you start applying it to the wood.
When applying the stain to your timber use a good quality suitable brush, don’t overload the brush or apply too much in one spot, try to brush the stain on in one light coat at a time.
I always apply one coat and let it dry completely, the stain brings out the grain in the timber and it can feel coarse to the touch, so I very lightly sand the timber by hand with a fine sandpaper and remove the dust before applying any further coat(s), this light sanding usually results in a smooth to the touch finish when you have finished applying the wood stain.
Personally I prefer to use a satin finish quick drying wood stain which always seems to give good results, mainly because I am impatient waiting for each coat to dry.
Depending on the wood stain being used, brushes can be cleaned in warm soapy water or with a suitable brush cleaning product.
Tools required
- Good quality brush
- Gloves
- Brush cleaner
Safety tip
When using wood stain, wear gloves and use in a well ventilated area away from any source of flame.