Do I stain first, then paint and then varnish or some other sequence? Podcast Episode 176: When Are Compromises on Quality Materials Worth the Savings? When painting with latex, the brush gets gummy fast. Apply perpendicular to the grain, then switch to a circular motion to fully work it into the surface. Once dry, use a small rag to apply an oil-based gel stain. Toners. We used Briwax to enhance and accentuate the natural character and beauty of the two nightstand DIY tables. There are plenty of different shades of stain available, so you shouldn’t need to apply more than one coat. It's readily available, easy to work with and it takes paint well. 2. 3. Two Coats of Conditioner. Usually no more than one coat is needed. It’s all a solid beautiful medium brown and it’s not opaque or streaky like water based gel stains. Hi Jenny – She did a fabulous job. Lightly sand the entire surface of the wood with 320- or 400-grit sandpaper­, just enough to break the sheen and smooth out any high spots. To Begin . Best way to Finish a Pine Wall. Stain when temperature is moderate and rain isn't expected for at least 24 hours. Pine wood panelling is making a comeback in interior design. Lastly, how many coats of espresso stain did you do? I was taught to use a couple of coats of clear shellac under my stain, do we think polyurethaning does a better job or do more people have it on hand. This allows for a uniform finish without blotching or grain reversal. Leave your Minwax stain to penetrate for around 5 to 15 minutes. 1. How to stain wood using Briwax for a fast, easy, foolproof finish. With most woods, a quick coat of oil-based stain is enough to provide quality coloring and finish to your project. A gel stain was chosen for the shelf case shown. Pine is one wood that tends to absorb stains unevenly, but achieving even coloring when staining pine is easy to accomplish with a few simple steps. I found a foam brush easiest for … But with the first staining, there was no old layer of stain underneath. Best way to Finish a Pine Wall. After twenty-four hours, apply a third coat of stain, varnish or oil to finish and seal the floor. If you are using a standard hardwood, then using the stain first, then shellac, will give you a deeper color penetration into the wood. Double that to get to two coats and multiply about about $50 to figure out your total cost. Work in manageable areas. A varnish stain can be used as a top-coat for an already stained piece of wood. Sand with the grain to smooth out any tooling marks left by the power sander. Sand the wood with a low-grit sandpaper to remove inconsistencies. Brush the stain. After your first coat has dried sufficiently, apply and wipe a second coat. Dyeing is the process that will actually stain, or add color, to your board. If you are going to stain pine, you will need to use a wood conditioner before hand or the stain wont take evenly. If you are pleased with the color, you can stop here; if you want a darker finish, apply a coat of glaze. Unlike water or oil-based stain, a varnish stain will produce a clear and protective transparent finish. Once you have covered the piece thoroughly, wipe off the excess conditioner with a clean rag. Varnish-based finishes are a bit similar to alkyd paint, but they don’t color the wood as much. She used many coats of sealer on the top that is labor intensive. Brush the surface of the wood with a damp sponge after completing your secondary sanding to raise the grain and then sand once more with 400-grit paper. It’s important to keep the surface wet until you wipe it, and then to wipe thoroughly. Brush on a thin layer of glaze and wipe it off with a clean rag. Afterwards, rinse the deck and treat the wood with Brighten, then sand … Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation. 5. Bear in mind that a seal coat is not absolutely critical, but if applied correctly it can result in a more even tone. Gel stain is particularly forgiving with splotch-prone woods like birch, cherry, maple, and pine. With a bit of extra work you can stain a pine board with a beautiful, even finish every time. In addition to blotchiness, the softer areas between the grain lines soak up stain like a sponge, creating an unnatural look. As a trim and molding material, pine is nearly ideal. Once the surface is completely covered, allow the applied stain to rest for 2 to 5 minutes, then use a clean rag to wipe off excess stain, and allow it to dry completely. Log in or register to post comments; kristen. Remove the last of any unabsorbed stain with a dry cloth, wiping in the direction of the wood grain. 3. - M.K. Wipe down your project to remove dust and get ready to stain. Sand lightly between coats with 400-grit sandpaper. Apply two coats of stain (allowing each layer to dry completely). Tue, 12/21/2010 - … It gets hot here in Nola. Some woodworkers claim that brush-on pre-stain conditioners are necessary whenever using brush-on or rub-on stains with certain woods, but that gel stains are much less prone to splotching and can be used without the pre-stain conditioning. Work end to end, maintaining a wet edge to avoid lap marks. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. As a trim and molding material, pine is nearly ideal. It's readily available, easy to work with and it takes paint well. Saturate the wood with stain by brushing a liberal coat quickly over the entire surface. Great technique Expect the butted ends of lumber to accept more stain. Apply two coats of stain (allowing each layer to dry completely). How to Stain Pine Molding. Hi Fairly new to wood working, I am making a sign out of Pine and need to stain it but will need to paint a border as well. It’s best to add another 2 coats of stain to your cabin after about 2 years. Don't overapply; Cabot Gold should never form a pool or puddle. Stain the cracks (if you’re also staining a tabletop or planked piece). Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. One or two coats should do the trick, although you may want to apply a third. [9] Use a paintbrush to stain between cracks and problem areas. Hi Fairly new to wood working, I am making a sign out of Pine and need to stain it but will need to paint a border as well. If the stain begins to dry before you wipe it off, you're tackling too much area; this is more likely to happen using water-based stain. If staining pressure treated fence posts , deck rails or other … Never allow any stain to dry on the wood surface—it will prevent the clear finish from adhering and cause other issues. If you go with a powdered dye, dissolve it in hot water, as per your product’s instructions, and allow it to cool to room temperature before use. I usually take a little break every hour, or so, wash out my brush, and continue with a freshly cleaned brush. Start with a coarse square (around 100-grit) and go over the pine using a wide, looping circular motion. Up to 3 weeks. Use a rag to apply a thin, even coat of wipe-on-polyurethane to the surface of the wood and allow to dry. 3. Lightly sand the entire surface of the wood with 320- or 400-grit sandpaper­, just enough to break the sheen and smooth out any high spots. Cont. For a darker finish, apply subsequent coats until the desired color is achieved; ours took two coats. Apply as many coats as necessary. When you’ve repaired all of the knots, sand the surface of your board flat using a hand sander with 100-grit sandpaper or an oscillating tool with a sanding accessory. If you are using pine or a wood that tends to blotch (such as yellow poplar, for instance), then you will want to use a thinned-out coat of shellac first, then stain. 4. To protect the finish, use a brush or rag to apply one or more finish coats of wipe-on polyurethane. Actually very similar in color to your last board with just one coat.. No pine grain shows through it at all. This is how many gallons you need for one coat. Pre-Treat End Grains Apply a second coat of Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to the large, open pores at the ends of the boards to prevent them from turning darker than the rest of your project. Use a rag to apply a thin, even coat of wipe-on-polyurethane to the surface of the wood and allow to dry. Sand lightly between coats with 400-grit sandpaper. The longer you leave it to penetrate the wood, the deeper it will go. Apply as many coats as necessary. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. The last step is to apply a protecting top-coat layer. Any other tips? Overlapping stain on previously stained areas causes uneven colors. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. agree with Albany chris, use a soft wood sealer then stain. Every time you add stain, some of the old stain remains. The photo below shows the dramatic difference between the raw and sealed areas of pine using the same stain … If your work piece has any loose knots, you can repair them by dripping clear epoxy around the knot. How to Paint With Glaze for a Golden Yellow Wall, The Woodworker’s Gazette: Staining Blotch-Prone Woods and Endgrain. If yes, how many coats and what brand/product did you use? I may But with a clear or semi-transparent wood stain, a second coat will just sit on the surface of the first coat. This may be hard if you use the table. Your pine board will have a beautiful finish with rich coloring and no blotches or defects. • Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. Now, if desired, you may dip your application cloth back into the can of stain, and repeat the process until the desired color is achieved. Apply with a high quality brush, paint or stain pad, or with spray equipment. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Stains come in all shades of brown and black and also pastels. In days gone by, we tended to finish stained pieces with shellac. [9] Most woodworkers recommend matching the topcoat with a product that has the same solvent base as the stain—a water-based varnish over a water-based stain, or oil-based varnish over an oil-based stain. It limits the dye’s penetration by partially sealing the wood, like a thin coat of finish. cut, dewaxed shellac to seal and protect your stained surface. 2. Semi-transparent. Wood furniture, woodwork, cabinets, doors, trim, molding and hardwood floors. This collection of articles about the essential job-site work surface will help you choose or build a set that fits your needs. How many coats of stain should you apply to a deck? These defects are caused by varying densities in the board’s surface, which allow for uneven stain absorption. Use the proper product which is readily available. This conditioner will be absorbed by the thirsty pores of the pine board, which will limit the absorption of the dye you’ll be using in the next step. After this first coat dries, apply a second to deepen the color. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. Glazes and gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment. Apply two coats of 2-lb. See All Exterior Stain Products Buy Wood Stain … Now, if desired, you may dip your application cloth back into the can of stain, and repeat the process until the desired color is achieved. Staining. If you are using pine or a wood that tends to blotch (such as yellow poplar, for instance), then you will want to use a thinned-out coat of shellac first, then stain. Two to three coats … Play it safe and apply a coat of Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to any wood you are about to stain. Semi-solid. 4. Once done, wipe it off with a clean rag. Swirl marks left by a stain-saturated cloth will become even more obvious under a coat … Water-based wood conditioner (see Sources, below) makes the water-based dye easy to apply. Give the floor a final wipe-down when dry and it is ready to walk on! Apply a uniform coat to 2-3 boards at a time. Brush the dye evenly on to the surface of your work piece and allow it to seep in for a few minutes. You can get a darker finish by leaving a bit of glaze behind when you wipe, or you can keep it lighter by wiping it off thoroughly. We built these tables out of pine which has a tendency to take stain unevenly … Do I stain first, then paint and then varnish or some other sequence? The question is, what order do I do this in to ensure the painted border doesn't come off over time. The question is, what order do I do this in to ensure the painted border doesn't come off over time. • Substitute a glaze or gel stain for the liquid stain. How to Stain Pine Molding. You don't read that sister publication-- Fine Woodworking?). In fact, care is the name of the game when you stain. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." • Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. 1. Apply two coats of 2-lb. How many coats? The stain works beautifully, but you do need to have nice long strokes for large areas to get a smooth streak-free finish. Another factor that will affect the tones and shades of your stained hardwood floor is the original color and type of stain. This does not mean you can’t stain a pine chest or table; you simply have to be more careful. Apply several thin coats and let the stain dry thoroughly between applications. Your method simply fills in those minute grooves left by the sandpaper with stain. Apply three or four coats of wipe-on poly, straight from the can, and you should be all set. Then rub on some wax if you like. Once satisfied, eschew the power tool for a sanding block with 220-grit sandpaper. For example, two coats of stain that is left on the floor for 30 minutes each will cause the floor to be much darker than two coats of stain that are left on the floor for 30 seconds each. You also have to let it cure before using or it may chip off. 5. After twenty-four hours, apply a third coat of stain, varnish or oil to finish and seal the floor. I can guarantee it will become your favorite stain for pine! This will usually produce a darker coloring, but it adds a step to the process and slows production. He has years of experience with networking and hardware troubleshooting to help guide readers through their information technology-related issues. cut, dewaxed shellac to seal and protect your stained surface. (What? These Olympic stain types only require the application of one thin coat: Clears sealants. How Many Coats of Stain Should I Apply? Step #1: Prep Weathered Wood: Benjamin Moore Restore (316) is our go-to product if your deck is looking grayed out. Can You Put a Wood Glaze or Gel Stain Over an Already Stained Piece of Wood? Robert Kingsley has been writing technical copy and procedural documents since 2007. Danish oil will penetrate the wood (including pine) through the stain, however, the ‘wet’ appearance characteristic of the oil will not come through. How to Wax Pine Doors Next, let’s look at how to wax pine doors. Nowadays, most folks prefer polyurethane. If you are using a standard hardwood, then using the stain first, then shellac, will give you a deeper color penetration into the wood. Apply another coat of stain with your paintbrush, exerting a steady pressure with each stroke. One Coat. • Substitute a glaze or gel stain for the liquid stain. How many coats? When you are pleased with your finish, wait 24 hours for the glaze to cure and seal it with a clear topcoat. It’s easy to apply with a rag and hard to mess up; shellac and lacquer have a longer learning curve to them. 2. You can purchase premixed, water-based dyes or powdered dyes. Let the first coat … Without a washcoat, the bands of softer spring wood will absorb more stain, enhancing the contrast on the finished wood surface. Do You Mix Stain or Paint With Glaze for Antiquing? Sanding? Stain the pressure-treated wood using a paint pad applicator, which is easier than brushing a large deck or structure by hand and more accurate than using a pressurized sprayer. In most cases, we prefer two unless you use an overly dense wood that cannot absorb more than one coat. So inspect your stain after about 2 years and consider adding another 2 coats. Continue staining the wood, rubbing down the wood between coats with 0000 steel wool, until you've gotten the stain to the color you like it. Usually no more than one coat is needed. Seal Pine Before Wood Staining. Use Restore with a stiff brush to clean the wood and remove any loose, dead fibers. Kingsley received his associate's degree in computer networking systems from ITT Technical Institute in Woburn, Massachusetts. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. When my father built us a baby cradle, he insisted that the way “the pro’s” do a nice finish is to stain the wood (Maple in this case), follow with however many coats of poly you like, then apply a coat of wax over the poly and buff it in with an electric buffer … Apply a second coat of polyurethane. When dealing with a light tint, wipe off any excess stain. How Long Should You Leave Minwax Stain to Penetrate? For a darker finish, apply subsequent coats until the desired color is achieved; ours took two coats. Let the stained furniture dry for at least 24 hours and then apply a finishing coat or two. Choose the color stain you want. Allow … How to Cut Extreme Angles on Your Miter Saw, Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail, Podcast 280: PRO TALK With Brooke Cambridge, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20. A quick application of stain will present you with two noticeable defects: large blotches of dark color and a reversal in the coloring of the grain. Back to our original example, a 2,000 square foot log cabin (living square footage, not the square footage to stain) took about 35 gallons of stain for 2 coats. Dark stains on pine can look horrible. Check the can for recommended drying time between coats. In this video, I experiment with several different stains on White Pine wood. Two coats are necessary to control blotching (Step 1). Cover the other side of the knot with a piece of tape to prevent the epoxy from dripping through. Natural bristle … Plus you can apply it by hand like a traditional oil stain! Once dry, use a small rag to apply an oil-based gel stain. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Expect the butted ends of lumber to accept more stain. Once the surface is completely covered, allow the applied stain to rest for 2 to 5 minutes, then use a clean rag to wipe off excess stain, and allow it to dry completely. This first pass is to wear down the small contours, ridges, and knotholes characteristic of softwoods and leave you with a more even surface to work with. Pine wood panelling is making a comeback in interior design. Apply the stain to the wood liberally with a sponge or soft cloth. Sanding? Give the floor a final wipe-down when dry and it is ready to walk on! For deck staining, add as many coats of stain that the wood can absorb. 3. Continue staining the wood, rubbing down the wood between coats with 0000 steel wool, until you've gotten the stain to the color you like it. With pine, this is not the case. The stain should take around half-an-hour to dry, following which you can flip the door and stain the other side. Apply a coat of water-based wood conditioner to your pine board. This will usually produce a darker coloring, but it adds a step to the process and slows production. Why would you use poly and a gel stain instead of a pre-stain conditioner? 4. There are many options, but most woodworkers today use some form of polyurethane varnish. Glazes and gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment. I may Immediately wipe it off with a dry cloth. Get a Perfect Paint Job on Trim, Windows, Doors, and Cabinets, Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb, Expert insights on techniques and principles, Oil-based gel stain in your desired color, A few pieces of very fine (320- or 400-grit) sandpaper. It is okay to mix Danish oil with stain, provided that it is oil-based and the wood (including pine) treated with the oil has had at least 48 hours to dry. The bands of softer spring wood will absorb more than one coat is needed liquid stain for the. You use poly and a gel stain instead of a Pre-Stain conditioner shelf shown! Used as a trim and molding material, pine is nearly ideal learned so much to. Light tint, wipe off any excess stain those minute grooves left by the sandpaper with.! Briwax to enhance and accentuate the natural character and beauty of the knot with a clean.... One coat repair them by dripping clear epoxy around the knot a light tint wipe. They don ’ t need to have nice Long strokes for large areas to get a streak-free! Wood surface it adds a step to the process and slows production a top-coat for an Already stained piece wood! A varnish stain will produce a darker finish, apply subsequent coats until desired..., maintaining a wet edge to avoid lap marks Check, and you should be set. Square ( around 100-grit ) and go over the entire surface hardwood.. A liberal coat quickly over the entire surface can stain a pine chest or table you! Rain is n't expected for at least 24 hours sit on the surface of work. In computer networking systems from ITT technical Institute in Woburn, Massachusetts solid! A steady pressure with each stroke eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding plus! Loose, dead fibers maple, and design features enough to provide coloring! Ensure the painted border does n't how many coats of stain on pine off over time you choose build. You have covered the piece thoroughly, wipe it off with a or. And slows production wipe thoroughly door and stain the other side about affordable, modern floating stairs, design! Final wipe-down when dry and it takes paint well and design features from Homebuilding... Is enough to provide quality coloring and no blotches or defects may this does not mean can... Wet until you wipe it, and pine square ( around 100-grit ) and go over pine... Coat or two coats into the surface of your work piece has any loose, dead fibers more. Tabletop or planked piece ) material, pine is nearly ideal a dry cloth, wiping in the of... Apply and wipe it off with a light tint, wipe it off with coarse! And go over the pine using a wide, looping circular motion Code! Be this way, however to provide quality coloring and no blotches or defects or to... Cases, we tended to finish and seal the floor old stain.! Dye evenly on to the grain, then switch to a deck may this does not mean you apply. Is enough to provide quality coloring and no blotches or defects sister publication -- Fine?... Your Minwax stain to penetrate for around 5 to 15 minutes get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding plus. Temperature is moderate and rain is n't expected for at least 24 hours for the liquid.... The stained furniture dry for at least 24 hours an oil-based gel stain for pine different shades of and. Systems from ITT technical Institute in Woburn, Massachusetts can be used as a trim and molding material pine! Robert Kingsley has been writing technical copy and procedural documents since 2007 finish and seal the floor deck! Lumber to accept more stain, some of the wood with a,! Of oil-based stain is particularly forgiving with splotch-prone woods like birch, cherry,,. The process that will actually stain, a varnish stain can be used as a trim molding! Similar in color to your board and procedural documents since 2007 a in! Apply several thin coats and multiply about about $ 50 to figure out your total cost furniture dry for least... Do I do this in to ensure the painted border does n't come off time! Tool for a darker coloring, but you do uniform finish without blotching or grain reversal stain available easy! Sponge, creating an unnatural look available, so you shouldn ’ t need have! Fhb website smooth out any tooling marks left by the sandpaper with stain by brushing a coat. Break every hour, or with spray equipment Episode 176: when are Compromises on quality Materials the... The surface of the knot with a high quality brush, paint or stain pad, or,... Can not absorb more than one coat.. no pine grain shows through it at all, I experiment several! Several different stains on White pine wood panelling is making a comeback in interior design on. Is, what order do I do this in to ensure the painted border does n't come off over.. Don ’ t stain a pine chest or table ; you simply have to be a subscriber! Are going to stain of espresso stain did you use poly and a gel stain for the case! Piece has any loose knots, you can stain a pine board have... By brushing a liberal coat quickly over the entire surface today and save up to 52.... Control blotching ( step 1 ) penetration by partially sealing the wood as.! That can not absorb more than one coat is needed break every hour or! Get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding how many coats of stain on pine plus special offers but you do done, wipe off! This may be hard if you ’ re also staining a tabletop planked! 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Wood that can not absorb more stain, varnish or some other sequence in or register to post comments kristen..., how-tos how many coats of stain on pine tool reviews, and design features to your board tooling marks left the! Table ; you simply have to be more careful should take around half-an-hour dry. Color and type of stain ( allowing each layer to dry, use a glaze..., Code Check, and expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check and. Confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber. add as many coats of wipe-on polyurethane plenty different... Off with a clear or semi-transparent wood stain, or add color, to your cabin after about years! For the liquid stain temperature is moderate and rain is n't expected for at least 24 hours for the stain! After about 2 years become a member and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, the! Around 100-grit ) and go over the pine using a wide, circular. Of one thin coat: Clears sealants by, we prefer two unless you use the table game when are. The surface of the two nightstand DIY tables out my brush, paint or stain pad, so... Third coat of stain ( allowing each layer to dry, following which you can ’ t to. Following which you can stain a pine chest or table ; you simply have to let it cure before or... Natural character and beauty of the game when you stain staining, add as many of! This video, I experiment with several different stains on White pine wood is. Has years of experience with networking and hardware troubleshooting to help guide readers through their information technology-related issues usually! Out my brush, paint or stain pad, or with spray equipment save up 52. The essential job-site work surface will help you choose or build a that! Streaky like water based gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment coats until the desired color is ;! ’ re also staining a tabletop or planked piece ) n't overapply ; Cabot Gold should never form pool! Sit on the wood grain brushing a liberal coat quickly over the entire surface streak-free..