How to Apply Topcoat Stain

Preparing Wood

• 1

  Sand any old paint or glue off the project you plan to stain with 80-grit sandpaper. You can do this by hand or with an orbital sander to finish the job more quickly. You should always sand in the direction of the wood's grain.

• 2

  Smooth the surface of the wood after the paint is removed with 120-grit sandpaper.

• 3

  Run your hand or a cloth over the wood's surface to make sure it is smooth and does not snag. If there are snags, use a finer grit sandpaper to smooth it out.

• 4

  Wipe off the surface with tack cloth or a cloth dipped in mineral spirits to remove any dust or grit.

• 5

  Apply a prestain conditioner if you are working with a softwood such as pine. Proceed to steps for applying stain before it dries.

Applying Stain

• 6

  Mix the stain with a stir stick before you apply it to the wood. Do this each time you reopen the can.

• 7

  Apply the stain with a brush on a discreet area of wood to see if you like the color. Use a natural-bristle paintbrush for oil stains and a synthetic-bristle brush for latex stains. Brush the stain onto the wood in the direction of the grain with smooth strokes.

• 8

  Let the stain dry completely, which usually takes about 24 hours.

• 9

  Apply a second coat of stain if you want the color darker.

• 10

  Apply a polyurethane topcoat when the final coat of stain is dry. Sand the topcoat with 180-grit or higher sandpaper when it is dry, wipe it with a tack cloth and apply one more coat of polyurethane.