5. The basic approach is a 6 step process: Clean unfinished wood with a damp rag before staining. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and create a darker color. It soaks into the wood on the first coat and gives it whatever color you bought. Do a quick google search, if you don’t know. There are so many wood stain colors, which can become overwhelming when you just want to know how to refinish a table with the perfect color combinations. Then finished it off with Wipe On Poly. Clean all surfaces of your wood furniture and let it dry. Wood filler, despite being “stainable” never blends in very well with wood. Apply stain with a disposable brush, following the wood's natural grain. How to Stain Wood Furniture What you’ll need: 1 qt. The stain will adhere to knots in the wood in kind of a funny way – either lighter or darker, but it’s all part of the farmhouse look. Clean your furniture with a tack cloth to gently remove any dust or grime from the wood. Is the piece of furniture made with more than one kind of wood? Lay a towel, t-shirt, or other cloth over the stain. Learn my 5 simple secrets to decorating a home you love! Start staining using a clean rag and horizontal strokes, then wipe the stain off. Wood stain soaks into wood based on a number of factors. In fact, the finer the grit the wood is sanded to, the less color a stain leaves when the excess is wiped off. Before staining the kitchen table top, it wore a reddish oak stain which, in my opinion, looked dated and darkened up the room. Before staining the kitchen table top, it wore a reddish oak stain which, in my opinion, looked dated and darkened up the room. How To Stain Wood. Let it dry and buff with a soft cloth. Want to read more posts like this?Follow along: Get my emails | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram. I believe any house can become your dream home with some easy, affordable decorating and DIY projects. This makes the wood grain lift a little, which allows the stain to penetrate better into the wood. But … Empty the iron of all water. I just went with it. Once a section of the glaze dries, don’t brush over it. The key to getting good color and coverage with this grey wood stain is raw, light colored hardwood. . Be sure to wipe it clean with a tack cloth or clean rag to remove all dust between grits and after sanding. Stain the cracks between the planks (if you’re also staining a tabletop).4. I normally say to follow the directions on a product, but I will say, for this wipe on poly, don’t sand unless you need to. Brush the stain liberally onto the table, following the natural direction of the grain. If it is, you may have to bleach or stain the less conspicuous wood -- usually the less expensive one--so that it matches the main surfaces. If your furniture has a bunch of cracks, chips, or gouges that require wood filler, it will be hard to disguise all that wood filler under a coat of stain. How to Stain a Table Top – Steps. Feeling way better about how to stain wood? Let the stain dry.And you’re now an expert on how to stain wood! Pick a stain color. Keep rubbing with soap until the stain dissipates. Well, let me show you how to easily darken stain without stripping the table or any other piece of stain wood, this includes hardwood flooring as well. Reapply the stain to reach the desired depth of color. Let the stain soak into the wood for just a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean towel. It applied faster and completely smooth. 4. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for DIY project sneak peeks and quick how-to videos. Stain the cracks (if you’re also staining a tabletop or planked piece).I found a foam brush easiest for being sure to get the stain down in between the cracks far enough that you couldn’t see the bare wood. I’m Meg. I love trying new things and realizing they’re almost always easier than we build them up to be. Work on one portion of the wood at a time instead of trying to stain the entire piece all at once. What it does is open the pores of the wood to allow it to take the stain evenly and deeply. First, before you even think about staining, be sure you’ve sanded your wood thoroughly. The best way to stain wood is to prepare the wood surface by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. Go over the stain with an iron. Prep your unfinished wood for stain. 2. Apply a wood conditioner to help the wood absorb stain evenly. First, make sure you sand the wood- even if you don't see any sort of finish or top coat. Painting wood furniture has to be one of the best ways to transform it on a dime (hello, flea market finds! In this case, the top half was sanded to #180 grit and the bottom half to #600 grit. I noticed that everything I buy has the same stain finish. 3 Trace the ring with your finger to apply the wax. This can be applied pretty fast, just work from one side to the other with nice even strokes. We did that for both of our desks (you can see my desk here). How To Stain Wood. You do literally apply it like paint…or like the finish poly. Here’s another furniture painting project you might like, a Vintage Distressed Paint Look. It needs a lot of wood filler. Let the stain soak into the wood for just a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean towel. It has a similar grit to a 1000-grit sanding black. Plus foam brushes are cheap so just use them and toss them, no need to waste time cleaning stain out of them! I chose the Colonial Maple color from the MinWax line. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af4c008522804ee14e4dd2e2ac25192c" );document.getElementById("fec9db40d7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Let the table dry according to the directions on the stain’s packaging. Stir your can of stain thoroughly using a wooden or plastic stirring utensil. If I can do it, you can do it. Learn more here. Here’s how to stain a table top for a beautiful, durable, professional looking finish – the easy way! Once it’s dry, you can go on for the sanding process. Preparation. Watch this 5-minute video for a better look at each step. Between sandings, use a tack cloth to remove dust. It can be used on furniture pieces with difficult to sand areas like turned-table legs or indoor projects when sanding and stripping isn’t an option. And the wood stairs are so orangey, but I really don’t want to sand them. Make sure you rub the wax into the wood really well. Let the stain dry.5. 6. Step One. AFFILIATES HELP YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS DELIVER FREE CONTENT. I keep pouring a little at a time until the wood isn’t absorbing anymore. There are two ways to … Abbotts At Home is not liable in any way for injury or loss resulting from any ideas or information provided. Step 1: Lightly Hand Sand. You must sand with the grain (in the same direction as the wood grain). 1. Stir the stain well, then use a clean cloth to rub the stain into the wood in a circular … Start staining using a clean rag and horizontal strokes, then wipe the stain off.3. To avoid getting stuck with a color or effect you don’t want on your furniture, test, test, test. Grab an old clean t-shirt and soak it in warm water. This table is our everyday table, so we went with three coats given all of the activity this table will see. Let the sealant dry for at least 24 hours before use. Let the stain dry completely in a well-ventilated area for 8 hours. Preparation. Minwax Design Series washes, wood effects and waxes offer new options for bare wood and wood that's already stained. The basic approach is a 6 step process: Clean unfinished wood with a damp rag before staining. Here’s the quick run-down, and then I’ll go into further details for each step below! Pick a stain color.I tried out a few stains on scrap pieces of wood so we were sure we’d like the color. Refinishing wood may seem simple; just buy the stain and apply -- but take it from the furniture makeover experts of Hometalk, much can be done to enhance the staining process. I used my absolute favorite, and easy to apply, wood finishing product, Danish Oil. 4. Everything from clean, crisp white wood stain for contemporary living and working spaces to subtle grey wood stain, dramatic black wood stain and a multitude of other beautiful wood stain colours. All-purpose cleaning spray and a cloth or paper towels Coarse sandpaper (60-, 120-, and 360-grit) A block or mechanical sander A clean, dry tack cloth Stain (or primer and paint) It made me feel a lot better before just diving right into the table. I sanded my cabinet just a bit to help the wood absorb the stain. Read the full disclaimer here. Hi Allison! We’d never built anything before, and I’m telling you, if we can build and stain a wood table, you can, too. 3. Use a clean, soft clot to gather some of the bubbles, and rub it onto the surface of the wood. Be sure to be in a well-ventilated area, because stain definitely smells. Even though I paint furniture ALL the time (see all furniture makeovers here), I’d never stained anything before, and I didn’t want to mess up this beautiful table we’d spent all this time building! How to stain a wood table: Here’s the quick run-down, and then I’ll go into further details for each step below! Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. Then lift the cloth to see if the stain has disappeared. I wiped the stain off right after I put it on. Be sure to wipe off the excess stain before it dries, or you’ll end up with a blotchy, uneven color and have trouble applying a sealant. FYI, our table is 37″ x 72″, and we used less than one can of stain and could have gotten away with the small can of the Polycrylic. This is probably the most important step of the whole process. 2.. Make sure you stir the stain well before applying. Apply to the designated area until it matches into your project. If you don’t know what color of stain you want to have on your wood there are a couple of things you have to consider: What color of the stain you selected. If you don’t want to deal with a sealant. With Danish Oil, I just pour a bit on and wipe it around. A traditional wood stain goes into the wood’s pores, and the reaction causes a permanent tint to the wood’s surface. Apply stain liberally, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off excess stain with a soft cotton rag (synthetic rags aren't going to soak up excess stain), using the rag to rub the stain into fine cracks in the wood. Next, apply the wood stain generously, rubbing it into the wood in the same direction as the grain. Hi! If your furniture has a bunch of cracks, chips, or gouges that require wood filler, it will be hard to disguise all that wood filler under a coat of stain. Is there an old stain or filler left in the wood? I use old socks and t-shirts with this product. Put on rubber gloves and open a can of oil-based penetrating stain. Simple enough, right?! I’ve never used Danish oil, did it get darker with each coat or does it just dry dark? Some wood may need a higher grit. Start staining!Ah, I was so nervous to mess up our brand new table! When the wood dries, scuff the finish with 180-grit sandpaper -- going with the wood grain to avoid cross-grain scratches -- then brush the wood stain of your choice directly onto the wood and wipe off the excess with a rag, again following the grain of the wood. The color also clashed with all of the other wood surfaces in the area – wood floors, a wood buffet, and wood counter stools. So, I switched to a Foam Brush and it was perfection. Wood filler, despite being “stainable” never blends in very well with wood. Repeat this process twice more – in between the coats of stain you’re applying to the planks of the tabletop – to end up with three total coats of stain. How to Refinish a Dining Table with Grey Wood Stain Remove Old Stain and Finish. You cannot use a standard penetrating stain for this because the surface is already “varnished” and sealed. It’s a great way to protect the entire piece. When regular furniture polish doesn’t work, try using a dab of car wax to remove water stains from wood. Sand until the wood is smooth and even to the touch. No single YouTube video or DIY tutorial can teach you everything you need to know or warn you about everything that might happen. It was easier than worrying about it, but if you’re careful, you wouldn’t have to. For furniture that gets less abuse than a table top, I’d go for 6 coats of this wipe on poly. Read more here. Wood furniture, doors, woodwork, cabinets, accessories: Cloth: Optional, to help ensure uniform acceptance of the stain and finish, use Minwax® Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner: 1 coat. To remove ink stains from wood furniture, mix 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap with 1/3 cup of water. Applying stain on humid pallet wood will cause it to flake off. The conditioner prevents splotchiness, which is especially visible with darker stains. Clean off debris with a tack cloth. Now that you have chosen the right stain for your project’s wood, the next step is to clean the wood surfaces. If you like the way it looks, there's no need to stain the wood. Wood absorbs moisture from the air, shrinking and swelling with changes in humidity. When we finished building our farmhouse table, we decided on a darker wood top and white painted legs. « A DIY Christmas village from the thrift store. Using a light grit sanding block, lightly hand sand the entire surface of the wood piece that you would like to darken. You can either let the stain dry for 5-10 minutes and then wipe the excess stain off (with a clean rag), or just wipe it off right after you apply it. We actually installed the Shaw vinyl wood floors in the house (hello 2 great danes, a pool, kids, husband that never takes his shoes off, SIGH), and I really want the easy way to stairs that match. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of water. Or have you taken on another new DIY skill lately? Apply horizontal strokes in the same direction as the wood grain. You can even use a plain brown lunch bag to sand something like that up. . Make sure the mixture has plenty of bubbles! You can leave the stain on for up to 15 minutes, but keep in mind that the longer it sits, the darker the stain will be. I wanted to keep the wood table top but paint the table legs and chairs. Just watch the how to stain a table top video to see for yourself. The more the wood absorbs the stain, the darker the tint. Staining is done for a variety of reasons. after 1 … Make sure to sand the area well and stain a few coats again. Apply a sealant.6. If you’re outside, just work quickly in the sun so your stain doesn’t become too tacky while you’re working. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 1. The beauty of coloured wood stain is the sheer variety of shades and tones. If you have a piece of wooden furniture you really like, or a tired thrift-store find with loads of potential, give it new life with a fresh coat of stain. Combine the Minwax Design Series with other Minwax stains to produce on-trend looks, finishes and special effects. But there are two solvents that can sometimes remove water marks in a few minutes without harming the finish. To do this, you need to remove all traces of the previous stain and finish. Below you can see that the black wood stain really helps the wood grain stand out beautifully. Wipe Off the Excess Stain . The finish itself will darken the wood and bring out the grain. You can totally do this! Apply stain in the direction of the grain, then allow it to soak into the wood before wiping away excess stain with a rag. 2. This post contains affiliate links. Then enjoy! You can see them here, on my YouTube channel. Apply the stain with a brush. Let the table dry according to the directions on the stain’s packaging. Shaded areas are better. We let the surface dry for 2 hours. Both solvents give off nasty fumes, so … Sealing Wood Stained Table Tops. Remember, less is more. I tested the stain on the bottom of the table and you can see in the photo above how it darkens the wood but still looks natural and not streaky. Always brush along the grain using long, even strokes. I’d really only sand this poly if you get little bits of dust or something dried in it. Minwax Polyshades Satin Wood Stain, Antique Walnut (obviously the shade and finish you use are up to you) 5-inch random orbit sander; 5-inch 8 hole sandpaper–fine grit and rough grit (the higher the number, the finer the grit) Let me know if you have questions. DIY Round Table Top, Using Plywood Circles, DIY Blue Distressed Paint using Petroleum Jelly, DIY Store Bought Stain Finish Steps (this post). I used a Wipe-On Poly that I absolutely love because it’s so easy to apply. We also show how to disassemble furniture and apply contrasting stains to create an artful and appealing piece. Stir the sealant before you use it, but don’t shake the can. Now that you have chosen the right stain for your project’s wood, the next step is to clean the wood surfaces. Sanding finer than #180 or #220 is wasted effort in most cases, as explained in the text. 5. Apply it going in the same direction as the wood grain. The glaze adds depth and richness to the overall look of this table top finish. But then once I started, it was easy. Read the full disclaimer here. The first 2 or 3 coats don’t look great, because this finish is so thin. Use a scrap of wood that’s the same species as your furniture. 3. Everything from clean, crisp white wood stain for contemporary living and working spaces to subtle grey wood stain, dramatic black wood stain and a multitude of other beautiful wood stain colours. Danish Oil is a favorite product of mine because it looks so beautiful, is easy to wipe on, AND the oils soak into the wood and harden – making the wood strong and more durable. You need to use a top coat since the stain is waterbased. The longer you leave the stain on, the darker your table will be. To do this, you need to remove all traces of the previous stain and finish. And be sure to wipe off the stain in the same direction as the wood grain, just like how you applied the wood stain. That means a warped table. Let the stain sit for 10 to 30 minutes, until the desired tone is achieved, and wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Seeing someone do something always helps me understand the DIY project better. Spilled water or a wet glass can leave a white stain on wood furniture. The short edges of the planks will take a LOT of stain. Sand with, not against, the grain of the wood. ), but sanding it first can be a real pain. Apply Danish Oil in Black Walnut with a clean, lint free rag. Staining laminate furniture can be problematic: Laminate is not made from wood; it is a plastic material printed with a wood grain, so traditional liquid stains meant for wood can't absorb into the material. Be sure to wipe away any little bits of dust with a tack cloth, or slightly damp rag, between coats. This will help a soft wood absorb stain more evenly. It’s the glaze that darkened and deepened the color after that. It should usually be bleached out. The tutorial for building a farmhouse dining table is here and the tutorial for painting the table legs is here. My images cannot used without my written permission. 3. Play around on scrap wood if you’re not sure how dark you want the stain. hi, To remove excess stain, use a rag that has a small amount of stain on it. Choosing wood types. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. . Stain Previously Stained Wood Re-staining Over Previously Stained Woodwork (Image Source) Wiping Stains. Prep your unfinished wood for stain. Wipe off the excess oil with a clean rag so that it won’t dry tacky. I started with the table edge since I figured those were less important than the tabletop. The key to getting good color and coverage with this grey wood stain is raw, light colored hardwood. Apply stain with a disposable brush, following the wood's natural grain. Let this table top finish cure for a couple weeks before using. Step One. After the 2 hours were up, we hand sanded the table top with 220 grit sandpaper until it was completely smooth. Remember to bookmark or pin this post if you want to save it for later! Danish Oil tends to stay the same color no matter how many coats you apply. Now that you’ve seen this How to Stain a Table Top tutorial, you can do it too. Someone forgot to use a coaster and now there’s an ugly white ring on the dining room table. Looking for more of my DIY Furniture videos? Rub a piece of fine to medium grit sandpaper over the surface of your piece. What brand/color stain did you use? Be sure to wipe it clean with a tack cloth or clean rag to remove all dust between grits and after sanding. In addition, I have had trouble with different types of wood as they all absorb stain … Dip your rag or brush into the stain and spread it on the wood, working your way across the piece in sections. Next, apply the wood stain generously, rubbing it into the wood in the same direction as the grain. After the Danish Oil dries, you apply 3 to 4 coats of the Van Dyke Brown Glaze with a Foam Brush. Your table came out lovely. *Happy Dance*, And, it’s actually super easy to recreate at home. We chose to stain this outdoor table because we wanted to keep the original look and the carving on the tabletop. And to think I was panicking about how to stain a wood table! Be sure to wipe it down with a clean rag right way to get rid of all that excess stain so the color matches the color of the planks. It can make a new wood look old or a common wood look like a rare one. It covers existing stain beautifully. We made sure to remove all the dust from the surface using a shop towel. Staining wood is EASY. Do long strokes so you don’t end up with blotches. 6. Whichever you decide, be consistent across your entire table (or whatever piece you’re staining) so you get an even color. Often, complete stripping and refinishing are the only solution. Wood stain can feel intimidating at times. How to Stain a Table Top – Steps. The color also clashed with all of the other wood surfaces in the area – wood floors, a wood buffet, and wood counter stools. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of water. All 3 products I picked are so easy and fast to apply. Go ahead and apply your top coat over the wood stained tabletops. I used a staining sponge to apply the stain in the direction of the grain. Required fields are marked *. Stain had to be applied within 2 hours of applying the wood conditioner. Some of the finishes are more yellow, some are clear, and the amount of sheen varies. This article will tell you how to select unfinished furniture and give you tips on staining and applying clear finishes. 1. Some wood may need a higher grit. One way to renew the look of any wood fixture, floor or piece of furniture is to restain it, which is usually cheaper and less labor intensive than replacing it. If you’re not sure what finish you’d like, grab a few of the smaller sample sizes and bring them home to sample on scrap wood. Wood- even if you don ’ t end up staining heavily strip it apply Danish Oil dries apply... You end up with three fingers finish itself will darken the wood piece that you like. Spring, thanks off the sanding we did on our brand new table can see my here. It matches into your project ’ s the glaze adds depth and richness to the designated until., make sure that the wood really well of this wipe on poly Instagram for project. 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