how long does stain take to dry? I stained a table and left it to dry overnight but it's still wet.?

Question

Does it have to dry completely before I apply the polyurthane?

Answer 1

You're supposed to wipe away the excess stain after X amount of time. (depending on what the product specifies) You wipe on the stain and let it sit for a bit and wipe it off. Doing this will also let you know if the wood has stained the color that you want and if you need to reapply. But there shouldn't be stain left on it. The wood can't absorb it. After you've wiped off the excess stain it should be dry in about an hour or so. And yes, it should be completely dry before you apply the polyurethane.

If you didn't wipe off the excess stain last night then do it now. Take a rag and wipe off the table to remove the stain. If you did wipe it off then maybe the weather is preventing it from drying properly. Is it humid? Cold? That effects the drying.

Answer 2

I'm not an expert, but you are supposed to leave it on for a while and then wipe it off. 30 minutes for a light stain. Up to 4 hours for dark. You can always re-aply too. It will not completely dry though for quite a while.

Answer 3

Yes, it has to dry before you apply poly and if it is still standing wet, you should have wiped it off long ago. Read the directions on the can. You may have to use paint thinner (what ever is suggested on the can for cleaning up) to remove the excess. Stain is a product the user can control color and intensity and repeatedly apply, it is not normally left standing.

Answer 4

Maybe you need to figure out a way to quit getting blood on you...Thats a little creepy... but I have found that dawn dish soap will get anything out. it gets grease stains, grass stains, and koolaid out. I just put a little on the spot (dont wet it first), then rub it in. Let it sit for a while, then wash it in the washer.

Answer 5

Yes