How to Stain Your Cherry Red Table With Merlot

Sand the table. The weight of sandpaper you use will depend on the condition of the unfinished wood. If it is fairly smooth already, a fine weight like 220-grit will take out any slight roughness. If it has not had any sanding, a heavier sandpaper like 100-grit, and possibly even a power or belt sander, will be necessary.

Wipe down the table with a damp cloth to remove all dirt, dust and sanding residue. Particles caught in the stain will mar your finish.

Choose a heavily pigmented stain in the merlot color. The more pigment in the stain, the better the UV protection, which will keep the wood underneath from darkening with time. Polyurethane gels often provide the best results.

Wipe on the stain with a clean cloth, and quickly wipe away excess before it begins to set.

Allow the stain to dry for the time recommended on the stain packaging, usually about 12 hours.

Seal the stain using a diluted sealer coat, applying at least two coats and waiting six to eight hours between applications. Use a paintbrush to apply.

Sand down the sealer coats with 320-grit sandpaper until smooth.

Wipe the table down with a damp cloth after sanding to remove dust.

Apply two to three coats of polyurethane, allowing each coat to dry overnight before you apply the next one. Use 320-grit sandpaper to sand between each coat, using light pressure. Repeat until you are left with a smooth and completely even appearance.