How to Apply Conditioner to Pine Baseboards

Tape off the baseboards if they are already installed; place blue masking tape along the edges of the baseboards to protect the wall and floor surface.

Sand the baseboard with 60-grit sandpaper to loosen the grain. If the baseboards are not installed, use an orbital sander to sand them. If they are attached, hand-sand them in the direction of the grain.

Wipe the baseboards down with a damp rag to clean the boards and raise the grains of the pine. Allow the baseboards to sit for 30 minutes and resand them with 80-grit sandpaper to smooth the raised wood grain.

Wipe the baseboards with a dry rag to remove remaining dust. Do not add additional water to the baseboards before adding conditioner.

Wipe or brush on water-based conditioner. Shake the conditioner well; this is found at most paint stores in quart and gallon sizes. Open the can and check whether the mixture is fully blended. Unmixed conditioner will appear as two separate liquids. If wiping on the conditioner, dip a cotton rag in the conditioner and apply the conditioner thoroughly and evenly along the baseboard.

Apply two coats of conditioner to the baseboard, allowing 30 minutes drying time between coats. Sand between coats to smooth out the raised wood grain. Allow the conditioner to fully dry for three hours before staining the baseboards.