Staining

Staining hardwoods and concrete has the potential to dramatically (or subtly) enhance the quality of a space. Stains can be applied to hardwood floors, wooden furniture, decks, mouldings, and concrete floors. Below are a few basic staining methods:

1. Know what the material you are about to stain is.

• Soft woods = pine, fir, cedar (uneven wood grain...will leave uneven stain unless prestained)
• Hardwoods = oak, beech, elm, ash, birch, walnut (consistent pattern to wood grain...does not have to be pre-treated but may take a few more coats)

2. Clean material so that it free of dust and grease and then begin to sand

• The lower the grit number - the rougher the wood will be and the more stain will absorb into the wood and the darker the stain will be. 
• The higher the grit number, the smoother the wood will be, the less will absorb into the wood will require more coats of stain).

3.  Apply stain with a damp rag or cloth - a brush works fine, too. Be sure the movement across the material is smooth. Wait for the stain to set (about 15 minutes...the longer you wait the darker it will be). Wipe off color when you are satisfied with stain.

4. Polyurethane can be added for protection.


Here are some types of stain:

• Oil-based stains are longer lasting in tone color
• Water based stains finish evenly
• Pastels are an oil-based wood stain that provide a soft pastel color that highlight the grain of the wood (more of an accent stain)
• Pigment stains fill the grains and leave the wood surface less colorful
• Dyes will stain the grain and the areas between the grain approximately the same color

Staining Wood Video

                                                             Staining concrete video



-Hayden