If you are tired of the looks of paint or varnish as being the only things you can apply to your wooden furniture, perhaps it is time you gave wood stain a try. While it might seem like a complicated process that only experts can successfully do, once you understand the things involved and have the patience to work at it for at least three days, it is actually very simple. You can relax knowing there is no special knowledge or expert skills or even expensive tools needed to get a flawless look.


Step 1. Collect the supplies you need to have on hand: 100-grit or medium sanding paper or sponge as well as extra fine (240- or 280-grit) sanding paper; two 2-1/2 inch natural-bristle brushes for the actual staining process, dry brushing, and for applying the clear finishes; cotton painter’s rags, as old clothing or bed sheets that come with synthetic fibers might leave behind colors and will not be able to absorb stain as well as a 100% cotton rag; disposable gloves to keep your hands safe from solvents; mineral spirits to clean your brushes and to thin the stain if necessary; and tack cloths to help you get rid of the last bits of dust after your sanding in between coats.

Step 2. Use the 100-grit sanding sponge or paper to sand the flat surfaces of your furniture in the direction of the grain. Keep sanding until all the rough areas and imperfections are removed. For curved areas, use a sanding pad. If your furniture piece happens to come with tight crevices, fold a piece of sandpaper and sand the crevices.

Step 3. Clean the room. A clean area is crucial for that smooth finish that is blemish-free. If you are sanding in the actual area where you will be finishing the piece of furniture, as in the case of doors that are already installed, give a few hours in between sanding and cleaning to give the dust a chance to settle onto the floor. Vacuum the floor as well as nearby work areas, followed by damp mopping. Sweeping is a no-no, as it simply stirs up even more dust.

Step 4. Apply the stain on the wood liberally and quickly over the surface, and then wipe them off with the clean cotton rags in the same order, to let the stain soak into the wood at the same period of time for each area. Use light and even pressure when wiping, making sure you do not leave streaks. Fold over your rags to have dry cloth for most of the areas, and get a new rag every time it gets too soaked. Drag a dry brush across the areas with cracks or crevices in order to reach them. Wipe your bristles off on a rag or newspaper to keep them dry. Let the surface sit overnight.

Step 5. Apply sanding sealer quickly with a brush onto the furniture surface, taking care not to miss a spot. Shining strong light on the wet surface will show you areas you may have missed, as they will look dull. Tip off the wet finish by brushing the entire surface in overlapping but light strokes of the brush.

Step 6. When the sealer has dried, sand the surface using extra fine sanding paper, until fine dust appears on all surfaces and it feels smooth to the touch. Then, brush the varnish on and tip off just like you did with the sanding sealer. Let dry overnight.