How to Stain With Two Colors on the Same Woodwork

Draft the shape of the wood stain patches you want on the wood in pencil. Draw thin lines to indicate where one color of stain will end and the next will begin.

Cover one of the color patch areas with masking tape. Tear and cut the tape into small pieces as needed in order to fit the tape masking right to the edge of the tape line.

Apply the first color of stain to the outline of the bare wood portion using an artist's paint brush. Use the stain sparingly to avoid bleeding. Apply it carefully to maintain the outline of the shape you want. Go over the outline a second time to give the color the proper depth.

Coat the rest of the bare wood, inside the outline, using a house painting brush.

Dip the corner of a rag in stain and rub it over the brush-applied stain. Avoid rubbing stain into the edges of the shape except when the rag is not dripping; this way, you'll avoid stain bleeding.

Wipe away excess stain with a clean, dry portion of the rag.

Let the first stain dry fully according to manufacturer's instructions.

Thoroughly wash your brushes, or switch to new ones for the second coat. Use a new rag that's clean and dry.

Unmask the second portion of the wood.

Mask the stained portion of the wood in the same way you masked the first portion.

Repeat the staining process on the bare wood portion.