How to Stain Rattan

Rattan and wicker are two words that are used interchangeably in the furniture industry to describe a single type of furniture. Rattan is the material most often used in high-end wicker furniture. Wicker, on the other hand, is the process by which the rattan -- or other type of material -- is woven together to create a piece of furniture. You can stain rattan, like any other woody product, to deepen or change its color to suit your needs.

Clean cloth
Cleaning solvent
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Take the rattan item outside into an open or well-ventilated area. The stain fumes are mildly toxic and require adequate ventilation to prevent them from causing harm.
- 2
  Clean your rattan furniture thoroughly with a clean cloth and a mild cleaning solvent. Remove any traces of grit and grime from the rattan to prevent imperfections or blemishes in the stain.
- 3
  Dry off the rattan with a clean cloth.
- 4
  Apply the first coat of stain either with a paintbrush -- for non-aerosol stain solutions -- or with the spray can. Use smooth, even strokes, and be careful of overapplying the stain so that it doesn't pool or puddle in one spot. If this happens, use your brush to relocate the stain.
- 5
  Wait for the first coat to dry, then apply more coats as needed until you achieve the desired coloring. The more coats you apply, the deeper the stain color will become.

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