Here’s How to Stain Wood 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.

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.

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.