The key to a professional wood stain finish is in the preparation and the beginner DIY-er should never underestimate the importance of good planning.
Preparing wood for stain or varnish
Any item to be stained should be thoroughly cleaned. Unpainted wood can be given a brush over to remove loose dirt and washed down with a solution of soap in warm water. If the item to be stained has previously been painted, strip off the old paint, using a garden furniture paint stripper and following the instructions carefully. Any damage that comes to light once the old paint has been removed should be repaired before carrying on.
Once the item is clean and any repairs have been carried out, it should be sanded down thoroughly, and any remaining dust removed with a soft cloth. At this point, wood conditioner can be applied if you wish. This will help the wood stain to soak into the timber more evenly and avoid a blotchy appearance; pine wood is particularly prone to blotches if not conditioned. The wood conditioner will resemble watered down glue and should be stirred really well before use. Apply the conditioner in the direction of the grain and let it sit for the recommended time before wiping away any excess with a clean, lint-free cloth. The conditioner will dry to a transparent finish.
Choose your wood stain
There are many types of wood stain available but the most popular are oil-based wood stains, water-based woods stains, gel wood stains and varnish wood stains. Our Wood Stain Comparison Guide explains the pros and cons of each and runs through the range of products we sell at Witham Timber, but generally speaking oil-based stains give a more even finish but have a longer drying time. Water-based stains by comparison dry much more quickly and any tools used e.g. brushes and rags need no white spirit or turpentine to clean them. Non-flammable and with hardly any odour, water-based stains are safe to use on pet housing too.
Applying wood stain
The wood stain should be stirred well with the handle of a paint brush or a clean wooden stick before starting and a test patch should be applied first to make sure you are happy with the colour. Water-based stains can be applied with a sprayer which makes larger areas much easier to cover in a shorter space of time. If applying wood stain with a brush, always follow the grain of the wood, backwards and forwards, using long even strokes. Feathering (lifting the brush slightly at the end of a stroke) will help to minimise brush strokes in the stain. Unlike paint, excess wood stain will sit on the surface once the wood has absorbed everything it wants, so wipe away any excess. If applying a second coat, leave the first for at least an hour. With fencing, we recommend one coat (with two coats for sheds and decking) to colour and waterproof the wood and any further coats will simply enhance the depth of the final colour. Once the item is completely dry (after 6-8 hours in most cases), wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust before applying a final, protective topcoat to seal the stain. For best results, use a topcoat to match the stain you have used i.e. a water-based topcoat with a water-based stain. A lacquer topcoat works well with both types of stain.
How to clean after wood staining
Brushes used with oil-based stains should be soaked in white spirit or turpentine – a wire brush will help to remove all the stain residue. Once all the stain has been removed, dry the bristles before washing in a solution of warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly, combing through the bristles with a wire brush, and dry.
Brushes used with water-based stains can simply be washed with warm, soapy water until clean, and dried thoroughly.
Our range of Protek wood stain products will coat, colour and protect your wooden garden furniture, fencing and decked areas and can be used with a sprayer. Flexible and hardwearing, Protek products boast excellent eco-credentials, have very little odour, and are available in a choice of wood stain colours.