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Step 1: Remove all hardware from the desk and set it aside. Step 2: Lightly sand the desk to remove any rough spots or old, loose paint. Step 3: Over a drop cloth, gently stir the wood stain and apply a test sample on a small inconspicuous area with a lint-free cloth before proceeding with the entire job.
How do you stain a desk?
Dip a cotton cloth into an open can of stain. Wipe the desk liberally with the stain until it is uniformly wet. Work fast so that the stain doesn’t dry. Repeat the process on the drawers.
What kind of stain do you use for a desk?
Oil-based stains are the best wood stain for furniture or any large wood surface because of the slower drying time, which gives the piece a more even finish. Oil-based stains tend to penetrate deeper, leaving behind a richer color that is easy to refresh by applying another coat.
How do you stain an old wooden desk?
Below are six essential steps that address how to refinish wood furniture and how to strip finished wood: Step 1: Clean the Piece. Step 2: Assess the Furniture’s Current State. Step 3: Remove Old Finish. Step 4: Apply a Coat of Sealant. Step 5: Stain or Paint the Wood. Step 6: Apply a Coat of Finish.
Can you stain a wooden desk?
The best way to stain wood is to prepare the wood surface by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and create a darker color. With new wood, start with 80-grit and then treat it as if you’re refinishing it.
Should I stain my desk?
Staining is not always advisable, but it can solve a lot of problems. Before you stain any piece of furniture, take a good look at it. If it’s made of cherry, maple, mahogany, rosewood, aged pine, or any of the rare woods, the wood should probably not be stained; these woods look best in their natural color.
Should I use oil or water based stain?
If the wood is going to be in direct exposure to wind, rain, and sunlight, an oil-based stain is the best choice. This is because it is more durable than a water-base and will provide a more complete protective layer against these elements.
How do you stain an old desk?
Clean. Any refinishing furniture DIY starts with basic cleaning. Examine. Take an overall assessment of the piece and determine if it needs any repairs. Remove the Old Finish. Sanding. Chemical Stripper. Seal the Wood. Stain or Paint. Apply Finish.
How do you sand a desk before staining?
Begin sanding the entire wood surface with coarse-grit sandpaper (80 grit), then progress to medium-grit sandpaper (150 grit), and then to a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) before you stain. When sanding, sand the entire table with each grit before moving on to the next grit.
Is it better to stain with a brush or rag?
Brushing is the slowest method of applying stain. So not only might you get blotching or lap marks, you’re also wasting time. It’s more efficient to wipe stain than to brush it, and you’re less likely to have color problems.
How long should stain sit before wiping?
Wipe the stain off immediately if you’d like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.
Should I use a rag or brush to stain wood?
Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain. Also, the rag leaves a beautiful, even, and brush stroke free finish. It also can easily be thrown out once finished.
Can you stain without sanding?
If the wood has been stained but not finished, DO NOT scuff or sand. Doing so will remove the color from the edges, leaving the project looking uneven.
Do you have to sand before staining?
It all starts with sanding. You need a smooth surface with no blemishes because stain will highlight scratches and dings in the wood. Always sand down to clean wood (if you have enough meat left of the wood) before applying any stain. Too rough and the wood will be very dark almost to the point of being black.
Do you have to seal stained wood?
After staining wood do you have to seal it? Yes, when staining wood you must apply a sealer to protect the stained surface. The stain will highlight the grain in the wood but it will not protect it, meaning it is extremely susceptible to damages from liquids, foods, human touch, and other sharp objects.
How long does it take to stain a desk?
While conventional stains recommend 18 to 24 hours drying time, Minwax® Performance Series Tintable Interior Wood Stain can be recoated in just 2 hours with oil based finishes and 6 hours with water based finishes. That means you can apply stain and two topcoats in a single day without sacrificing varnish clarity.
What does polyurethane do to stained wood?
Polyurethane wood finish offers durability and water resistance. This makes it a popular alternative to more traditional coatings such as shellac or lacquer. Learning how to apply polyurethane to stained wood can enhance the appearance of the stain while protecting the surface from scratches and more.
How do you stain a wood table?
Apply stain with a disposable brush, following the wood’s natural grain. Apply stain liberally, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off excess stain with a soft cotton rag (synthetic rags aren’t going to soak up excess stain), using the rag to rub the stain into fine cracks in the wood.
