How to Stain Hardwood Floors and Furniture?

IN THIS POST:
– What is Wood Staining?
– How to Stain Wooden Surfaces?
– Tips for Staining Wood

Wood is beautiful in its natural form but as a material that is derived from nature, you can’t always predict the colours, tones, patterns, and hues that you’ll get with wooden floors and furnishings. If you want to change the tone of your wood to match the colour scheme of the home, highlight the natural patterns in the wood, get rid of discolouration on the surface, or merge two different toned woods into one, you should consider staining the wood. Stay with us as we cover some of the top tips for staining wood, but first, let’s talk a bit more about the process of wood staining.

What is Wood Staining?

Staining is a process where you paint a wooden surface to darken its natural tone. The stains used for the process get absorbed into the wood and darken the wood’s pigmentation at its core. This is different from a varnish, which only coats the surface of the wood and does not penetrate into its layers.

In most cases, staining the wood will help you bring out the patterns that are naturally ingrained in the wood. Wood staining can also help you cover any imperfections present in the wood, including discolouration, burn marks, or scratches.

How to Stain Wooden Surfaces?

The process of staining wood is just a small part of the steps you need to follow in order to polish raw wood and bring out its true appeal. Accordingly, you will need to sand the wood before you begin staining and coat it with a clear varnish once you are done.

Here is a step-by-step guide to staining wood to change its colour:

1. Clean the surface of the wood using a soft cloth.
2. Use sandpaper to open up the upper layer of the wood as this will make the stain penetrate deeper into the layers.
3. Test the stain on a stray piece of wood of the same tone or on a part that is commonly hidden from the eye, like the bottom of your furniture.
4. Apply the stain on the surface evenly while moving in only one direction with a paintbrush.
5. Let the colour penetrate into the wood for your desired amount of time.
6. Wipe off the excess colour with a clean cloth.
7. If the colour is not dark enough, sand again and reapply a second coat.
8. Seal the wood with a varnish for better protection against daily wear and tear.
9. Let the wood dry overnight before using.

Tips for Staining Wood

Here are some of the wood staining tips and tricks to keep in mind as you perform the process given above:

• Remember that wood staining is a permanent process, so you need to choose the colour of the stain carefully.
• You will find different types of stains in the market, with their share of pros and cons that you should consider before making a selection.
• Don’t forget to protect your eyes and skin while staining wood at home by using heavy-duty gloves and goggles.
• Wear old clothes or an apron to cover your clothes before you begin as removing the colour from all kinds of surfaces is not easy.
• Cover the work area with old clothes and newspapers before you begin to avoid permanent damage to the floor in case of a spill.
• Consider testing the colour of the stain on an inconspicuous area before staining wooden furniture to determine how dark it should be.
• Don’t forget to sand the wood first to open up the pores in the upper layer for the best results.
• Always stir the stain in the can using a small stick to mix the colour evenly before applying the first coat.
• You can use an old rag to apply the stain as well, if you do not want to ruin your paintbrush.
• Opt for long strokes in the direction of the wood grain to avoid blotches and uneven results.
• Remember to cover all parts of the furniture, including the wooden underside, legs, handles, and knobs.
• Avoid applying a wood stain to metal hardware as it may permanently change the look of your fittings.
• The colour will darken in proportion to how long the stain is applied to the surface of the wood, so you need to time the process correctly.
• Wipe the excess stain in the same direction as when you applied it so that you are not left with an uneven finish.
• Never leave the stain on a wooden surface to dry off permanently as this will make it impossible to apply a sealant later on.
• Always coat the stained wood surface with varnish to give it better protection against the elements, as the stain will only add colour to the wood, not protection.
• Don’t discard the opened can of stain after a single use as it has a long shelf life and can be used later for other wooden surfaces as well.

Keep these tips for staining wood in mind as you change the tone of your wood and enhance its natural patterns. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more home décor tips and DIY guides. You can email us at blog@zameen.com with your comments and suggestions on the posts.