How to Restain a Southern Yellow Pine Ceiling

Remove everything from the room, including carpets and furniture. These objects will collect dust, making it harder to clean up the room when the job is finished. If you can't move all of it, remove as much as you can and cover the remaining pieces with drop cloths.

Place a ladder under the ceiling and sand the ceiling down with an orbital sander fitted with a 100- to 120-grit sanding pad. Move the ladder as necessary until you have sanded the entire ceiling.

Remove the sanding pad and replace it with a 200- to 220-grit sanding pad. This will smooth the surface of the ceiling. Wipe the ceiling down with a tack cloth to remove any dust.

Vacuum the floor below to get rid of the dust. Allow the dust to settle, and wipe everything down with a damp cloth. Repeat this two or three times to ensure you get all of the dust. While you may be tempted to reserve this for the end of the project, as you apply the stain later, the dust can rise and get stuck on the ceiling, ruining the finish.

Mix the wood stain as directed by the manufacturer. When the stain is well-mixed, apply it to the ceiling with a roller, paintbrush or clean cotton cloth. When dipping your tool in the stain, wipe as much off as possible to prevent drips and spills.

Allow the ceiling to dry. If desired, apply more coats of stain. Mix the protective sealer as directed by the manufacturer. Instructions for applying and drying protective sealers vary by product and manufacturer, so see the label for detailed directions and safe handling practices.