How do you properly finish wood?

Question

I bought planks of wood that make for great shelves but the color doesn't match the other wooden furniture in the room. So how do I go about properly finishing the wood? I want them to look nice as well as feel nice. Something that looks good, nice and smooth, and isn't sticky from the stain.

Answer 1

It's quite easy, if you don't get hoodwinked by the labels on the cans.

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/featur...

Answer 2

sand wood first use 60-100 grit then aply stain let set for 20 sec.- 15min. depending on how dark u want it, remove stain with an old rag, if to dark sand it a little until it is the color u like, if to light reaply stain, repeat until correct color, once u have the color u like aply a clear coat and then when dry sand it smooth with 210-400 git sand paper, i would recommend doing this a couple times, once it is nice smooth and looking the way u like it u r done

Answer 3

Hire a painter - yeah they do staining and clear coating.

Answer 4

Sand the wood to a smooth finish with sandpaper. After the finish is smooth, clean all of the dust off of the board. Then you can either use a stain and - after drying - follow with polyurethane. Or, you can purchase a stain/sealant combined. It will take a couple of coats of the latter to get a really glossy finish. Good luck!

Answer 5

Stain followed by clear coat