Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Rubbing or brushing against the direction of the grain will help fill deep pores with stain.
Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain. Also, the rag leaves a beautiful, even, and brush stroke free finish. It also can easily be thrown out once finished.
Apply oil-based stains with a paintbrush or clean rag. Apply water-based stains with a foam brush or synthetic bristle brush. For deep grain woods, work the stain into the grain by working in a circular motion. Otherwise, apply the stain evenly in the direction of the wood grain.
So that the stain doesn't leave blotches on the wood, apply a thin coat of wood conditioner first using an inexpensive brush. Give the conditioner about 15 minutes to dry before applying the stain, but don't sand it, there's no need. Oil-based stains consist of dyes and pigments mixed in with mineral spirits.
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 most efficient method of applying stain is to wipe it on using a soaking-wet cloth.
No, the sticky stains will not dry after some time, which is why it is important to wipe off the excess wood stain. If you don't, your work will end up sticky because the stain did not dry properly. You will have to use mineral spirits, more stain, or sandpaper to fix the mess.
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.
Cheesecloth: White 100% cotton cheesecloth is great for staining. Since it is a thinner material, it is easier to fill the wood grain and covers your surface better. To use, simply bunch up and start wiping away stains on your surface.
New cotton white t-shirts
Traditionally the most common variety of stain rags, their white color makes them an ideal choice for people tackling a big staining project. Also known as “ lint-free rags,” their white color lets you clearly see the color stain you're working with.
Treat stain immediately. Soak 30 minutes or more in cold water. Rub detergent into stain. If stain persists, place a small amount of household ammonia on the stain and rub again with detergent.
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.
The wood stain works when the pigments and dyes soak into the wood. Stain is not intended to sit on top of the wood, which is why most stain manufacturers recommend wiping any excess off stain off the wood shortly after application.
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.
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.
Woods like pine, poplar, doug fir, birch, maple, Accoya, and cherry are some of the most problematic woods concerning blotchiness. These woods are unevenly porous, so they don't soak up stain consistently across the surface of a board creating an unpredictable uptake of color.
The wood must be clean, dry and free of contaminants. If you try to apply stain or sealer over damp or dirty wood, then there won't be proper adhesion. Make sure there is no mildew as well.
Wiping stain is very similar to gel stain as far as being a heavy-bodied stain that doesn't need to penetrate into the wood in order to tone it to the desired shade. Wiping stain is more resistant to blotching than penetrating stain due to the fact that it doesn't deeply penetrate the wood.
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.
Applying stain
Don't brush on a coat of stain like you would paint and just wait for it to dry. You'll be frustrated and disappointed when parts of it still feel sticky after a couple days. When wood has absorbed all the stain it wants, the rest just sits on the surface and doesn't like to dry.