Sealers also are used on certain areas of wood furniture that tend to absorb too much stain, such as the edges. Sealers are also applied over the stain and filler to prevent bleeding of the stain and filler into top finishes. Most stains made today are self-sealing. Therefore, they do not need a sealer.
Applying a topcoat sealer is not required, but a finish protects the stained wood from scratches and keeps it from fading over time.
You don't have to, but stain provides absolutely no protection for the wood so it is usual practice to put a clear coat on top of stained wood to protect it from dings, abrasion, spills, etc. There is a product out there called Minwax Polyshades that is a stain and polyurethane finish all in one.
Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible.
Unlike sealers, stains penetrate into the wood. Like the name suggests, a wood stain contains pigments that physically change the wood's color. This gives the wood protection against harmful UV rays. Stains also have the same beneficial water-repelling qualities.
Applying polyurethane on stained wood is a common practice to enhance durability, protection, and appearance. It provides a protective topcoat that seals in the stain and adds a glossy or satin finish, depending on preference. For more finishing tips and woodworking insights, explore my Quora Profile!
Remember: a stain provides color, but not protection. Once the stain has dried, apply a clear finish to protect both the stain and the wood—and to make the final results look even more beautiful.
Let it dry for 24 hours. 6. If recommended on the stain label, apply sealer coat to avoid the stain bleeding into the surface finish.
Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane
It's one of the most durable coatings for wood protection against scratches, spills and more, and is a clear coat. It can be used on both finished and unfinished wood projects, and is available in a variety of sheens. The fast-drying formula allows for quick recoats in 3-4 hours.
Do You Have to Sand Before Staining Wood? Wood needs to be sanded well before it can be stained. The process opens up the wood's pores to better absorb the stain. It also smoothes away scratches in the surface which will only be enhanced by stain.
Is a protective sealer/topcoat required after staining? Yes, all interior wood stains require a protective topcoat. How long do I let the stain dry before applying a topcoat? Let the stain dry for at least 12 hours before protecting the surface with a clear topcoat.
Polyurethane Wood Finish
Water-based polyurethane dries quickly and can be used on bare, stained or painted wood. It provides a clear, natural sheen that does not yellow with age.
There are two basic product categories for waterproofing: stains and sealants. Stains are used on wood to enhance color and make them weather resistant. Sealants protect concrete and wood from moisture but do not stop water movement through the concrete from the outside.
We believe that building with wood is an opportunity to create pieces that are simultaneously functional and artistic. In light of that, we prefer sealing over coating. Sealing wood protects wood from moisture and brings out its natural beauty at the same time. Sealer also allows wood to age gracefully.
Avoid Over Application
Decks are best stained with a semi-transparent wood stain. People are often mistaken in thinking that applying more coats will make the stain more durable, and therefore last longer. However, oversaturation will create a thick film on the surface that will flake and peel off in a matter of weeks.
Interior Water Based Poly Crystal Clear. For the best water-based interior wood stain sealer, there is ZAR® Interior Water Base Poly Crystal Clear. This non-yellowing and environmentally safe formula provides essential wood protection, whether it is stained or left natural.
Generally speaking, it's always a good idea to seal after staining. The question really is what to seal it with, and that comes down to use. Polyurethane, lacquer, wax, etc. Polyurethane can be a good catch-all type finish.
Wood wax is generally considered the easiest type of finish to apply. You simply wipe it on and buff it off. The only caveat is to apply it very sparingly just a dab at a time. After letting the wax dry for 10 to 15 minutes, simply buff it with a clean cloth.
How Many Coats of Stain Should I Apply? Olympic solid color wood stains require the application of two thin coats for optimum durability. Applying two coats of solid wood stains will also hide wood grain and imperfections.
Answer: Most people like to stain and seal at the same time, although you can come back a week later and seal if you like. If you're going to wait between staining and sealing, just do a light power wash to clean the concrete and let it dry prior to sealing.
Most oil-based stains must dry for at least 12 hours before they are exposed to any moisture/rain; however, Ready Seal, if properly applied to prepped and dried wood, can get wet within a couple of hours, and it won't wash away. Oil-based stains will generally take 24-72 hours to fully cure.
The order which you apply stains and sealants varies on what you're currently working with. For the best performance, we recommend stain first, seal second, and apply Advance Topcoat third.
If you have oil-based stains (which dries slower), brushing or spraying large areas could work, but lacquer and water-based stains simply dry too fast. This could result in imprints of the bristles on your wood surface. You won't have that problem when you apply and finish staining with lint-free cloth wipers.
In conclusion, exterior wood staining has both benefits and drawbacks that should be considered before making a decision. While staining can protect the wood, enhance its beauty, and extend its life, it can also be time-consuming, expensive, and require regular maintenance.