First off before you start staining any wood trim or just wood, you should be aware that stain and varnish are not the same. Varnish can be used alone, but stain can’t. Stain is made from dyes that change the color of the wood and varnish is made from resins that protect it.
How to stain wood trim in 5 steps:
- You first must sand the wood or wood trim and then clean it with alcohol. Staet sanding with 120 grit sandpaper, follow with 180 grit sandpaper to remove the marks left from the 120 grit sandpaper. Then finish sanding with 220 grit sandpaper, wiping up the dust between sandings with a rag dampened with denatured alcohol.
- Now you must repair anything you cannot sand away by filling dents and gouges with sandable putty. When dry sand smooth and wipe with a rag dipped in denatured alcohol.
- Next you will apply a wood conditioner to prevent blotchiness or you could by pass this step by using a gel stain as these types of stains do not blotch. If using a conditioner follow the directions on product.
- Now it is time to stain. You can brush or wipe on the stain. Just apply the stain to the wood, let it soak in for a bit (not to long) and then wipe it off using T-shirts or lint free rags. If you use a gel stain, apply it with a sponge brush and wipe off the excess very gently using a brush instead of a rag.
- Now you can apply the varnish by brushing it on, in short sections at a time. Smooth it quickly and lightly to cover completely then let the varnish dry the recommended amount of time. Now sand the trim with 220 grit sandpaper to level out any small dust bumps, wipe down with a rag dipped in denatured alcohol and apply another coat of varnish, up to three coats for a durable lasting finish.
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