Staining tips?

Question

I enjoy staining and varnishing but am always looking for tips on easier or better ways to do it. Can you let me know the steps you use to take you project from raw wood to the finished product and what you use. What grit sandpaper do you use on each step.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I enjoyed wood finishing articles in www. wisegeek. com Maybe you can pick up some tips there too. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Answer 2

If it is a soft wood (pine) you will need to treat the material with a pre-stain to prevent blotching. We always use a gloss finish polyurethane, diluted 10% with paint thinner, this provides a hard finish. Sand lightly with 220 grit sandpaper, remove all dust with a tack rag or rag dampened with paint thinner. Next, depending on the desired sheen, finish with gloss or satin polyurethane.

Have been doing this for 25+ years and it is a the time tested and proven method. Good luck

Answer 3

For me the wood selection often results in the best results. Dark stains on softwoods such as pine often look muddy.
I'm guessing you know of using a tack cloth to pick up dust.
Aside from not shaking the varnish (to prevent bubbles), the only other tip I could offer is to use sanding sponges for the finish sanding.

Answer 4

If refinishing, sand down to bare wood. Use the finest sandpaper grit available. Sand in direction of grain. Make sure all wood dust is removed. You can use a wood conditioner but I prefer not to. Sponge paint the varnish in, as evenly as possible, using thin layers. You may want to do this several times in between drying, Do not sand after this. When shellacking use a good quality bristle brush. Apply shellack several times in between drying for a smooth glossy finish.