For Housing

Hand Staining Wood Trim

Staining wood trim such as base, casing and doors is always optional. Many woods look great in their natural state without applying any stain at all. If you opt for staining, however, keep in mind that different types of wood will absorb or take the stain differently. Some will not absorb as well as others and some will change to a lighter or darker color than what you expected. When you are in the process of selecting a stain, take a sample or piece of the wood trim you are using with you. Apply the stain to this wood sample to see the color and penetration qualities of the wood. By doing this, you remove the margin of error as well as the element of surprise. The stained sample will tell you what you need to know before you begin your project.

Stains are either oil-based (24 hour drying time-great for large jobs), water-based (quick-drying for smaller jobs) or a gel stain (good for veneers, plywoods). Before you actually begin staining check your wood for imperfections. Imperfections, such as knot holes, indentions, and density of the wood (hard and soft areas) will usually stain darker than the smooth wood surface of the trim piece. So, if you are not going to like this effect, you may want to return those trim pieces for smoother ones.
Set your work area up; you will need some sort of table to stain on – saw horses work great for this also. Remember to tarp the floor under your staining area. Wood stain will also stain concrete floors and is very difficult to remove.
Wood stain should be used in small amounts on your applicator such as a paint brush, sponge, lamb’s wool etc. Stain is not like paint. These products are much thinner like water. Do not use large amounts of stain and stain small areas at a time wiping off the excess stain with a dry lent free rag as you go. A medium grade sandpaper can be used to remove the rough edges if needed. Wood stains will leave unsightly lines so make sure you stain the complete piece on your first coat. Additional coats can be applied after the first coat has completely dried. Once the stain has dried, a sealer can be applied.

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