Staining furniture??

Question

I have this table and chairs that im redoing,ive sanded everything completely and i need a few opinions from professionals or the everyday do-it yourselfers.What is the best technique in staining the table and chairs that would make it looks like a professional did it??Brush,foam brush or a new one somebody told me cheese clothe??which one do i use??what brand??plz opinions here

Answer 1

I think the best and easiest thing to use is staining sponges which the sell at any hardware store they keep a good amount of stain on it and soaks up the extra + good for those hard to reach areas and poles

Answer 2

Cheese cloth wadded up very tightly and wrapped in a soft, lint-free, cotton cloth makes a great applicator for some types of finishes, but I wouldn't use it for applying pigment stains.  I would use it however for applying dyes.  I would use a bristle brush that is compatible with the solvent in the stain, synthetic for water based and natural for oil based, and a clean, dry, lint-free cotton cloth for wiping.  Follow the directions on the can, the manufacturer put them there for a reason, and until you have enough experience to feel comfortable experimenting you will get the best results in that manner.  Stain should not be used as the final coat on the wood, it offers little protection and is only applied for color. after the stain is on you will want to apply a compatible finish.  If you use a water based stain use water based finish, likewise with oil based, unless you use an intermediate coat of one-pound cut de-waxed shellac, then you can use whatever type of finish you like.  Before you jump right into the finishing process I would reccomend that you get a piece of wood that matches the color of the pieces you are finishing and make some test samples so you get some practice on technique and you will know what the final product will look like.

Answer 3

Here's a site with loads of information - links to step by step articles and videos.

http://www.squidoo.com/finishingfurnitur...

Here's a video on YouTube with step by step instructions for applying water based stains and topcoats, which I highly recommend.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhQftad8g...

And finally - what brand - General Finishes - a favorite of woodworkers. To find a store near you that carries it - http://www.generalfinishes.com

Answer 4

Depends on the type of wood, type of stain & how deep you want the color to be.

Without writing a novel length response.........short version.

Keep in mind that stains are intended to penetrate the wood.

Over the counter stains can take you just so far.

Read the labels .

Most will tell you to apply the stain ...wait ...then wipe off.

&  reapply...wipe off.

If after a couple of applications the color is not getting deeper

.....thats as far as you can go.

Leaving the stain on & recoating to get the color will just make a mess when you apply the finish.since it will dissolve & make mud.

Since you have to wipe it down anyhow, might as well use a rag.

Foam brushes will soften & come apart w/ stain & finish coats.

Since you said staining .......some basics.

Drying oilstains are OK for lighter color on hardwoods.

Gel stains generally give a muddy look.

Powdered water or alcohol soluble stains penetrate best

& will give darker color.

Read the labels & follow directions.

More is not better unless the wood is actually holding the stain even when a second or third application is wiped off.

Finishing is a whole other story , but for easier application

Spraycans are not a bad choice .

If you use brushes, buy the best you can for the type of finish you are using.

There are tinted lacquers (& as much as i hate it ) polyurethanes that are available in spraycans which can even things out.

Water based poly is not bad.

Any finish is best applied in multiple thin coats.

Visit Mfrs sites for tips on using their products.

Best regards