Here’s How to Stain Wood Inside or Outside Your Home

Staining any wood retains the natural look, grain and texture of that particular species. Stain also prevents rotting on outdoor wood and protects it from sun and moisture damage. Wood stains come in a wide variety of colours so you can create a look that works with your décor. Here’s some tips on how to apply wood stain to almost anything inside or outside your home.

Preparing Wood for Staining

Wood always needs some preparatory work before staining. Proper prep results in a better finish. Start by repairing any damagebefore hosing and scrubbing wood surfaces. Wood can be prepped either by sanding or applying Wood-Shield Safe Strip .

Painted Finishes

Paint must be stripped to expose the bare wood. Use a commercial paint stripper or sand the surface if the build-up of paint is low. Wood-Shield Safe Strip or a random orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper will do the job quickly.

Pre-Stained Finishes

Sanding the surface is the best approach but take care when sanding thinner materials like plywood. Solid wood can take a more thorough sanding. When sanding by hand, use a sanding block for flat surfaces and loose sheets for shaped pieces. Use a pole sander to prep large areas like decks.

Prepping Large Surfaces like Floors, Decks & Fences

Larger surfaces require much more preparation. A floor sander works well for horizontal surfaces like decks and flooring, while a belt sander is best suited to fencing.

Last Step Before Staining

It’s a good idea to apply a sanding sealer which acts as a primer for the wood stain. Sanding sealer is typically used for things like furniture, doors, or cabinets, so be sure to review the manufacturer’s instructions before application.

Staining vs. Re-Staining

When staining unfinished wood, the stain is absorbed into the wood. A urethane finish followed with wax is necessary for protection. You can re-stain over an existing stain (after removing the finish) but only if you’re applying the same colour or a darker colour.

Types of Wood Stains

There are a variety of stains available to suit every project.

Oil-Based Wood Stain

Liquid oil-based stains penetrate the wood surface without raising the grain of the wood. You can build up colour density with additional coats. Apply liquid stain with a rag (for interior stain) and a paint brush. Cleanup requires a strong thinner or solvent.

Water-Based Wood Stain

Liquid water-based stain is environmentally friendly but it can raise the grain of the wood. You can minimize this by dampening wood with a wet rag. After allowing it to dry you can finish-sanding with fine sandpaper. Use a brush or rag to apply water-based stain, applying extra layers to build up colour. Cleanup is easy with soap and water.

Gel Stain

Gel stain costs a little more but produces great results. It doesn’t run, and it won’t raise the grain of the wood. Apply gel stain by wiping on and off with a rag. If you’re adding extra coats, buff the surface after each coat to remove any residual stain. Gel stains can be made with either latex or oil, so cleanup with a thinner or solvent is necessary.

How to Stain Hardwood Floors

Once you’ve prepared your floor for the new finish, apply the stain in two-foot sections using a lambswool applicator. When completely dry, top with a coat of protective urethane sealer and wax.

How to Stain Cabinets

You can re-stain your existing cabinets fairly easily if you stain within the same colour range (or a little darker). Start by removing the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware, then prep all the wood surfaces.

Cabinet Stain Application

Finishing Your Cabinets Use a popsicle stick to stir your chosen stain product thoroughly as solids tend to sink to the bottom of the can. Use a paint brush for liquid stains or a cloth for gel stains. Apply to any shaped parts on the door and drawer fronts first, followed by the flat parts. Make sure to brush or rub in the direction of the wood grain. After about six hours, apply another coat.

Finishing Your Cabinets

If you used a one-step/finish product, you’re now ready to reassemble your cabinets. If you used another product, you’ll need to apply a coat of urethane to the cabinets. Let it dry well before reassembly.

How to Stain Wood Furniture

First, you’ll need to determine the age and value of your wood furniture as sometimes the old finish actually adds to the value of the piece. Otherwise you can go ahead and prepare the surface as described earlier. Use the same procedure as described for refinishing cabinets.

How to Stain a Deck or Fence

Staining your wood deck is essential to prevent damage from the elements and extend its lifespan. Plan to do the staining as quickly as possible after prepping the surface, ideally in moderate temperatures (10-32 degrees Celsius) when it’s not too sunny.

Before You Begin

Protect any walls and other exposed areas around the deck.

Painting Tools

Use a paint pad attached to an extension pole and pour outdoor stain into a paint tray

Stain Application

Apply a good coat of stain to the entire deck surface. When it’s dry, apply stain to any fencing around the deck. Remember not to paint yourself into a corner while staining!

How to Stain Patio Furniture

Look for a stain specifically designed for outdoor use. Check the can for instructions on use and temperature requirements. You’ll need to ensure there’s no rain in the forecast as the furniture must be dry to accept the stain. Brush on the stain from top to bottom and wait 24 hours (or however long the manufacturer suggests) before applying an additional coat.

Safety & Cleanup

Before beginning any work involving stain and paint-stripping chemicals, ensure you and the area are safe. Good ventilation is essential and avoid any open flames or BBQing if staining outside. Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection. Old clothes are a must since you’ll probably get a few stain spots while working. Observe proper clean-up instructions for the products you’ve used, and rinse out all stained rags and cloths before putting them in the trash.

When you know how to stain wood, you can breathe new life into your furniture, floors, decks, and fences. All you need are the right tools, quality stains and finishes, and a little time and effort.