Enhance the natural grain of furniture without finishing with stain. Staining adds color while letting the grain of the wood show through. It’s an easy way to give new, unfinished furniture a professionally finished look.
When preparing new wood, wear gloves while unwrapping furniture to prevent oil from transferring from your skin to the unprotected raw wood. Remove any grease stains with a little mineral spirits. Untreated wood lightly dampened to increase the grain. Sand to a smooth finish. If this process is not done first, the moisture in the stain will cause an uneven surface. Color spots come in a limited range of shades. Stain test an inconspicuous part of the furniture first. Let dry and check the effect. The color will be affected by the type of wood. The more coats applied, the stronger the color will be. The stain penetrates the wood instead of covering it like paint, quickly cleaning up spills or drips before they absorb and create unattractive color stains. If necessary, disguise them with another layer of dye.
After the wood is wet, abrade with a good quality sandpaper for a smooth finish. Always work in the direction of the grain; crossing it will leave scratches. Sand again between each coat of stain. Apply a small amount of stain to a soft cotton cloth and rub along the grain. Working through it will create irregular areas of color. If you use a brush, keep a cloth handy to remove any loose bristles and drips. Be careful not to overlap the stain, which will darken the color. Work in sections, masking off areas where overlaps can occur. Allow the first section to dry, then cover it before staining the adjoining area. Stained wood is porous and can absorb water or show sticky finger or spill marks. Finish the furniture with two coats of clear varnish to seal and protect it. The matt varnish adapts to a country style, while the high gloss is more compatible with formal or modern settings.
Instead of using natural wood stains, experiment with colors to personalize furniture and give it an individual look. Use different colors on shelves or drawer fronts for bright furniture for the kids. This is also a great way to use up various leftover dyes from other projects. Stain ready-to-assemble pieces and allow to dry before assembling. For ready-made items, cover the areas next to those where the first color will go. Apply the first color. Let it dry, then remove the tape. Mask the first color and apply the second. Repeat with each consecutive color. Turn a simple headboard into a piece of folk art. Using a muted color, apply one or two coats of stain depending on the depth of color desired. When dry, rub with white wax to enhance the wood grain.