How to wood stain

ndz98 · Jun 2, 2017

I'm almost at the point of staining my stand and I just want to make sure the process of doing that is correct.

So what I've read is that you should sand the whole thing with the grain with 120 grit then finish off with 220 grit. Once you do that, you dust it off so that it makes a cleaner surface.

I'm using whitewood (which I believe to be pine?). I think plan on using a wood conditioner to open up the pores on the wood, then staining, then finishing.

One think I'm not sure of is the finishing part. I want to use something that can withstand humidity and any possible water that may run on to it from the tank. I saw that they make something called spar urethane that protects from that type of stuff. Would that be alright to use or is there something that might be better?
Also what's the difference between applying stain with a cloth and applying with a brush?

Let me know if there's any part that I have wrong also.

Brad Shook · Jun 2, 2017

ndz98 said:
I'm almost at the point of staining my stand and I just want to make sure the process of doing that is correct.

So what I've read is that you should sand the whole thing with the grain with 120 grit then finish off with 220 grit. Once you do that, you dust it off so that it makes a cleaner surface.

I'm using whitewood (which I believe to be pine?). I think plan on using a wood conditioner to open up the pores on the wood, then staining, then finishing.

One think I'm not sure of is the finishing part. I want to use something that can withstand humidity and any possible water that may run on to it from the tank. I saw that they make something called spar urethane that protects from that type of stuff. Would that be alright to use or is there something that might be better?
Also what's the difference between applying stain with a cloth and applying with a brush?

Let me know if there's any part that I have wrong also.

I use urethane over the finish, it holds up better than varnish.
When you apply stain I like to use a cloth because I can control the amount of stain and darkness of the stain.

ndz98 · Jun 2, 2017

Brad Shook said:
I use urethane over the finish, it holds up better than varnish.
When you apply stain I like to use a cloth because I can control the amount of stain and darkness of the stain.

What do you used to take it off? A wash cloth type rag or just regular paper towels?

Katrina71 · Jun 2, 2017

Tac cloth. Feels kinda waxy

Katrina71 · Jun 2, 2017

I use a rag or a sponge brush. A rag is messy. Don't get stain with urethane in it. Much harder to get smooth. Just do a couple of coats of plain after you stain it.

Katrina71 · Jun 2, 2017

Long , gentle strokes with a sponge brush are easiest to control. Don't dip your brush in very far. Less is more.

Brad Shook · Jun 2, 2017

ndz98 said:
What do you used to take it off? A wash cloth type rag or just regular paper towels?

I usually use an old wash cloth

cromag27 · Jun 5, 2017

Stain sponge.

ndz98 · Jun 5, 2017

cromag08 said:
Stain sponge.

Something like this?

A_game43 · Jun 5, 2017

Lite stain with rag or sponge, Dido and i use numerous coats of a very fast drying Urethane as well. I put multiple coats of urethane on my 4x4's that I use alot for stands in my basement.