How to Stain Wooden Furniture

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Purchase commercially prepared wood filler in a color that matches your wooden surface.

   You are looking for knots, protruding nails, small cracks and miniature holes left by pests.
   
   You will also need to note the conditions of the edges of your wood.
   
   If the edges are rough, then you will need to use filler to make them even. , Hammer the wide end of the nail set to push the protruding nails below the surface. , Use the putty knife to apply the wood filler to the defects, smoothing the surface with the edge of the putty knife after you fill the defects with the wood filler. , Allow the filler to dry before you sand the wood. , Sand the edges of your wood until the surfaces are even.
   
   Set the sanding block aside when you are finished with the edges. , Sand any hard-to-reach areas or curved surfaces by rubbing the sandpaper along the surface with your hand in the direction of the wood grain. ,,,, This will ensure that no dirt, debris or sawdust clings to your finished surface. , Always brush along the grain using long, even strokes.
   
   Work on one portion of the wood at a time instead of trying to stain the entire piece all at once. , If you see any blotchy areas or areas where the brushstrokes did not blend well together, then use a soft, lint-free cloth to rub the stain until it looks more even. ,,,, If the color is not as deep as you would like, then apply additional coats of stain to the piece until you achieve the desired result.
   
   Make sure to let each coat dry completely before adding an additional coat. , Apply the filler to cracks, knots and nail holes until the surface of the filler is even with the wood surface.
   
   Use the putty knife to smooth out the filler. , Do your best not to damage the surface that you have already stained. , Brush the product on using long strokes, and work in the direction of the wood grain.
   
   Work in 6” to 12” sections. , When you are finished, the sections should blend seamlessly together. , Sand the surface the next day using 280-grit or finer sandpaper. , You do not have to sand the final coat. , Clip the paper tightly in place, making sure that the work surface is taut so that your sandpaper doesn’t bunch up or loosen. ,, Turn the device on and rest it on your work surface. , Never sand across the grain; you will leave scratches that will show up when the stain is applied. ,,,,,, If you’re working with hardwood, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth before you sand it with the 220-grit paper.
   
   This will raise the grain of the wood and allow you to create a very smooth surface.
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   Step 2: Inspect the surface of the wood.

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   Step 3: Place the small end of a nail set on top of any protruding nails.

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   Step 4: If you’re working with softwood

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   Step 5: place a small bead of wood filler on the edge of a putty knife.

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   Step 6: Continue adding more filler until the filler is smooth and even with the wooden surface.

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   Step 7: Clamp 100-grit sandpaper to your sanding block.

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   Step 8: Hold a piece of 100-grit sandpaper in your hand so that the back of the sandpaper is in contact with your palm and fingers.

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   Step 9: Wipe down the sanded surface with a tack cloth or with a paper towel soaked in mineral spirits.

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    Step 10: Repeat the process using 150-grit sandpaper to sand the surface.

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    Step 11: After you’ve cleaned the sanded surface again with your tack cloth or with mineral spirits

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    Step 12: repeat the process a third time using 220-grit paper.

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    Step 13: Clean your wood thoroughly

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    Step 14: and clean your work surface with a soft

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    Step 15: lint-free cloth (not a tack cloth).

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    Step 16: Dip the edge of your brush in the stain and apply a thin layer of stain to the surface of the wood.

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    Step 17: Examine the surface.

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    Step 18: Move to a different section of the wood and apply more stain with your brush.

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    Step 19: Use a cloth to even out blotches and to blend the edges between brushstrokes.

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    Step 20: Repeat the process

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    Step 21: continuing to work on one portion at a time until the piece is finished.

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    Step 22: Allow the stain to dry overnight.

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    Step 23: Roll a bead of wood filler onto the edge of a putty knife.

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    Step 24: Sand the filler gently after it has dried to make sure that the surface is flush with the wood.

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    Step 25: Apply a coat of polyurethane to your stained wood using a 2” (5 centimeter) brush.

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    Step 26: Blend the brush strokes between sections by lightly stroking the intersection with the brush.

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    Step 27: Allow the first coat of polyurethane to cure overnight.

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    Step 28: Apply a second coat of polyurethane and allow the second coat to cure overnight.

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    Step 29: Wrap 100-grit sandpaper around the work surface of your electric sander.

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    Step 30: Plug the sander into an electrical outlet.

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    Step 31: Grip the back of the sander with your dominant hand.

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    Step 32: Move the electric sander back and forth in the direction of the wood grain until you have sanded your entire surface.

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    Step 33: When you are finished

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    Step 34: turn the sander off

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    Step 35: unplug it and set it aside.

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    Step 36: Wipe the surface of the wood with a tack cloth or with a paper towel that has been dipped in mineral spirits.

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    Step 37: Remove your used 100-grit sandpaper from your sander and discard it.

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    Step 38: Clip 150-grit sandpaper to your electric sander.

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    Step 39: Repeat the process of sanding along the grain and wiping down the surface.

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    Step 40: Discard your 150-grit sandpaper and repeat the process again with 220-grit paper.

Detailed Guide

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