Proper Ways to Stain Alder Wood

Preparation

• Before staining any type of wood with any type of stain, clean the wood with a tack rag. If the wood has splinters or other imperfections, sand it to smooth it before wiping it down to remove dust. A tack rag collects dust from the wood, keeping it from getting stuck in the finish. Some people add sealers to alder wood before staining -- they help porous alder wood from absorbing a ton of color from a pigmented stain. However, most modern stains do not require sealers.

Penetrating Oil Stains

• Penetrating oil-based stains soak into the surface of wood and provide protection from water damage, sun damage and scratches while leaving most of the natural wood grain visible. Many penetrating stains work on indoor or outdoor alder wood, but make sure to check the stain label to see if it works in the environment it is intended for. Penetrating stains come with or without pigment in them, but even "clear" oil-based penetrating stains slightly darken and enhance the color of wood. To apply penetrating finishes, rub them onto the wood by hand with a rag. You can also paint penetrating finishes onto the surface of the wood and rub excess off with a rag. Alder wood is somewhat porous, so it will absorb a fair amount of color from pigmented penetrating stains. To darken the color of the stain and add extra protection, apply two or more coats of penetrating stain.

Water-Based Stains

• Water-based stains for indoor furniture give more transparent results than oil-based stains do, letting the natural wood grain show through the stain. Unfortunately, they can also cause the wood to swell as it soaks up the stain. To apply a water-based stain, sponge the wood with warm water. Let the wood dry, sand it and then dust it thoroughly. Apply the water-based stain to the alder with a sponge. Be careful not to apply the stain in overlapping layers, because it will create uneven dark spots in the color. If the stain appears to have a dark spot, sponge the spot with water to dilute it.

Surface Finishes

• Surface finishes are not usually called "stains," but they can add color and a surface coat of protection over alder wood. Many surface finishes, such as varnish, are clear; but some come with tint in them. Surface finishes exist for both interior and exterior wood, although varnish and some exterior stains are not great for exterior woods. They are more difficult to touch up than penetrating stains, but some people like that they obscure the natural wood surface texture and come in high-gloss options. Most surface finishes apply with a paintbrush. After the first coat of finish dries, sand it with a very fine sandpaper. Then dust the surface with a tack cloth and paint on a second coat of finish.

Safety

• Wood stains contain many toxic chemicals. Avoid skin contact with them by wearing rubber gloves, and use them in well-ventilated areas to avoid unhealthy fumes. Wear protective goggles to keep stains away from the eyes, especially when painting overhead. Keep them away from pets and small children, and contact poison control immediately if anybody ingests them.