How to Even out Stain

Staining can make old furniture look new again, and make new, raw wood look beautiful. Beginning stainers often struggle with getting an even coat of stain on the piece, leaving some areas darker or lighter, and noticeable streaks running across the surface. It helps to practice on less important pieces, or even just discarded wood, to gain the feel of the proper brush strokes. Following these simple techniques and tips will even out and get rid of the staining blues.

Brush
Stain

Instructions

- 1
  Use high quality stain and brushes. Inexpensive brushes may not hold enough stain for an even application, and low-quality stains dry too fast for you to avoid streaking.
- 2
  Dip the brush in to get sufficient amounts of stain, and do it consistently for each stroke. Too little and it will be drying while you go back for more, and too much will cause you to brush endlessly while trying to cover a large area. Practice will teach you the right amount for the particular stain and the brush.
- 3
  Stroke long, quickly, evenly and with the grain. Don't jab at the piece and don't start-stop-start when brushing.
- 4
  Feather the edges, or brush them out to the side of the main strokes so that you won't be starting the next side brush strokes on bare wood.
- 5
  Stop at natural points such as edges or where a piece of wood joins another piece.

How to Identify a Paslode Finish Nailer

Easier Ways to Weld Wire

Remodeling Tools & Equipment