Mistakes to Avoid When Staining Wood
Although staining wood isn’t necessarily a complicated task, there are a few missteps to avoid to achieve the ideal finish:
Perhaps one of the most repeated pieces of advice in the finishing world is to allow each coat to fully dry and cure—this is the only way to guarantee optimal color matching and stain performance.
When it comes to drying, finishing solutions are dependent on proper evaporation—ensure the surrounding environment’s temperature and humidity levels are within range so the stain can dry properly.
Don’t use a stain (or any finishing solution for that matter) that is past its recommended shelf life or pot life—this sacrifices the quality of the solution and may lead to application issues.
Stain in sections, applying in small areas and wiping away as you go. Leaving the stain to harden on top of the wood or applying a thick coat makes the surface sticky and leads to blotches.
