We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb.
It may seem like you will get better coverage staining your wood deck or log cabin if you apply additional coats of stain. However, more stain is not always better, and can actually result in peeling stain, less protection and a shorter life span for your project.
Any excess stain will redissolve and come off, leaving only the stain that penetrated into the wood.
Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. This will usually produce a slightly darker coloring with the excess wiped off. Substitute a glaze or gel stain for the liquid stain. Glazes and gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment to vehicle.
Two coats are generally better than one
If the deck has been properly cleaned, it should absorb the first of stain well in to the wood. By applying a second, light coat of material, you will fill up the cell structure of the wood (kind of like topping off the tank) and the project will last longer.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain.
You should also consider the type of wood you are staining, amount of stain you're applying, and weather conditions, like humidity, temperature, and air circulation. On average, wood stain takes about 24 to 72 hours to fully dry and cure, though you can typically add a second coat after about four hours.
Leave a dampness of stain on the wood that dries to a darker coloring. This will take practice to get the coloring even, especially on large and multiple surfaces. Just as with leaving the stain on longer, this technique is easiest to do with a fast-drying stain such as lacquer stain.
Stains lighten as they dry, then return to their damp color when a finish is applied. So the quick method of seeing the color you'll get with the finish applied is to look at the stain while it is still damp. If you're using a satin or flat finish, however, you need to factor in the impact of the flatting agent.
You should sand after the first coat of water-based stain to flatten any wood grain the water raised, but it's unnecessary after that.
With staining, you'll know if you've over-applied your deck stain because there will be sticky patches or puddles that just aren't drying—the wood has absorbed all it can, so the remaining stain has nowhere to go.
Most brands recommend letting the wood stain sit for 5 to 15 minutes to absorb into the wood and then wipe off all of the excesses with a clean lint-free rag. If the stain is applied too thick, the surface will be tacky and sticky to the touch and will not dry evenly.
The longer a stain is left untreated, the less likely it is to be removed. When a spill first occurs, it sits on the surface of the fabric, but over time, that spill can start to react with the fabric causing the fabric to actually change colors.
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.
Wood stain becomes sticky when it is not wiped off properly. This happens when you put too much wood stain on and do not wipe off the excess.
If the stain stays on too long, the wood will absorb too much stain. As a result, you may have a darker shade than you anticipated—or uneven coloring. Likewise, the stain can start to peel and flake off. The wood may also discolor or become blotchy.
1 Before you get to work with a brush or roller, however, it's important to know exactly how long it takes for wood stain to dry. After application, wood stain can quickly dry to the touch in about four to eight hours, but it will still require about 24 to 72 hours to fully dry.
Similarly, you should always check a wet garment to see if the stain is gone before putting it in the dryer. The heat of the dryer can set the stain and make it permanent.
Water-based stains usually take 4 to 6 hours to dry, while oil and gel-based stains can take up to 12 to 24 hours. Stain dries the best in warm, dry areas that get great airflow. Hardwoods like oak and maple usually dry faster from staining than softwoods like pine and fir.
It is important to wipe off the stain thoroughly and consistently (in the direction of the grain) to get an evenly stained surface. If a darker, or deeper color is desired, allow the first coat of stain to dry for 24 hours, then apply a second coat of stain in the same manner as the first.
Oil stain can be modified to some extent if you don't like the effect. If the wood is too dark, soak a clean cloth in turpentine or mineral spirits and rub the wood firmly and evenly along the grain. This will lighten the stain but not remove it.
Rubbing. Frantically rubbing a stain can make it spread further and also damage the weave of the fabric. Try gently dabbing the stain away first.
Wood stain is intended to be wiped off immediately after application. If the wood stain remains on the wood, liquid solvents in the stain will evaporate, leaving sticky pigments behind that will never fully dry. To remove tacky wood stain, firmly scrub the piece with mineral spirits.
You can leave wood stain overnight because it is part of the drying process. After the first coat, you should allow it to dry for at least 12-24 hours. Follow the same process for the second coat.
The drying time depends on the temperature and humidity of the air. Generally, high temperature with less humidity is preferable for faster drying of stains. However, it is advised to keep the stained workpiece away from direct sunlight as it can affect the quality of the finish.