How to Use Stain & Polyurethane Mix for Touch Ups

Old or worn wooden furniture can be restored to new by touching it up with stain and polyurethane. Ideally, you would first stain the furniture then coat it in polyurethane once you achieve the desired shade. It is possible to mix the two together, thereby making the process quicker, though this can alter the integrity of the polyurethane and is not recommended to do at home. Several professional products are available, such as Minwax Polyshades, which offer both in one.

80-grit coarse sandpaper
320-grit fine-grit sandpaper
Cloth
Brush
Stain/polyurethane mix

Instructions

- 1
  Read the directions on the label of the mix before attempting to touch up the furniture.
- 2
  Using coarse sandpaper, sand and smooth the area you would like to stain. Wipe dust and debris off with a clean cloth.
- 3
  Apply a small amount of the stain and polyurethane mix to the furniture using a brush or another clean cloth. It is a good idea to only apply it to a small area on the underside of the furniture to first determine if the stain is the correct shade.
- 4
  Coat the sanded area with the stain and polyurethane mix. Be careful not to use too much. Allow several hours for the mixture to dry.
- 5
  Sand the stained area using fine-grit sandpaper once the stain is dry. Wipe away the dust with a clean cloth.
- 6
  Repeat Steps 4 and 5 as many times as needed to reach the desired shade. Normally two or three coats will be enough.

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