How to Put Two Different Colors of Stain on Bedroom Furniture

Check that your "mixed metaphor" of colors makes sense visually. Furniture builders do not often use more than one kind or color of wood on projects. If you want to use more than one color of stain, make sure this mixing of woods "makes sense" to the eye by connecting the change in color to a change in line or structure in the piece.

Prepare the surface. Apply stain to bare wood surfaces only. Remove any previous stain or sealer first, using a wood stain stripper. Sand the surface lightly, working with the grain of the wood. Remove any fine dust particles using a tack cloth.

Mask the appropriate area. You'll apply the darker stain first, so mask off any areas that will receive the lighter stain later. Use a quality painter's masking tape to block any dark stain from reaching the masked areas. If you need to cut the masking tape with an X-acto knife to achieve a particular shape, do this cutting off the surface of the piece. Cut the shape on some other surface and transfer it to the wood. Seal the masking tape securely to the wood by rubbing it with your fingers, especially around the edges of the tape to prevent bleeding.

Apply the darker stain to the wood. Use a brush designed for use with wood stains. Apply gel-type wood stains with a clean cotton rag or a brush. Apply a small amount of stain at a time and work it into the wood with the brush, moving in the direction of the natural wood grain. Most stains are instantly permanent, so have a "game plan" ready for how to apply the stain in a uniform direction. Avoid overlapping stain strokes. The stain should be the same "thickness" or number of coats throughout the piece. Wipe away any excess stain and let the piece dry overnight.

Remove the tape covering the masked areas. Check for any bleeding. If bleeding is extensive, you may need to sand the darker stain out of the wood. Some wood bleaching products are also effective in removing small areas of stain.

Apply the lighter stain to the areas with a clean staining brush. Stain in one direction and avoid overlapping coats of stain. Make every effort not to brush the lighter stain over the darker stain as this will produce a third, and probably unwanted, stain color. Wipe away any excess and let dry.

Seal the piece with a finisher like polyurethane, wax, or varnish. For best results, sand the surface lightly, remove any dust with a tack cloth, and then apply a second coat of sealant.