Giving a second life to wooden furniture does not necessarily require major work. Easy to apply, the stain protects the wood while enhancing its natural appearance. Preparation, choice of product, application, drying time… Here is everything you need to know to stain furniture correctly and obtain a lasting result.
To protect wooden furniture and preserve its appearance over time, stain remains an effective and durable solution. Unlike a paint or varnish which covers the surface, it penetrates directly into the wood to protect it in depth while revealing its natural veins. You still need to adopt the right actions to obtain a clean and uniform result. Preparation of the support, choice of stain, application: here are the steps to follow to properly stain a piece of furniture.
The different types of stain
Selecting the right product requires prior thought. Let yourself be guided by the type of woodwork to be coated (exterior or interior) and by the finish you are looking for. The stain has the characteristic of leaving the grain of the wood visible, and is available in many colors.
- If you want to preserve the natural design of the wood, prefer the varnished stain and light shades (chestnut, light oak or even colorless).
- THE dark colored stains (brown, mahogany, dark red) will be more covering.
- Those who wish to hide imperfections or the ravages of time will rely on matte stainopaque rendering.
- You also have the option of opting for white stainfor a country and rustic style.
- More expensive, the certified high and very high protection stain is perfect for outdoor furniture. Microporous, it is both permeable and water-repellent and will permanently protect your garden furniture from bad weather and the sun.
Finally, choose glycerophthalic stains (with solvent) over acrylic stains, which are less resistant.
Apply the stain to your furniture
It is possible to stain any piece of furnitureold as new. The advantage is that there is no need to remove the previous layer. The stain is applied directly to the surface. However, it is advisable to clean the furniture thoroughly beforehand, then sand it. This allows the product to better penetrate the wood and thereby increases its effectiveness.
Spread with a brush a generous layer of glazethen draw lines lengthwise. The ideal is to apply two coats. Allow 12 hours in between, and allow 24 hours for the wood to dry completely.
Finally, be aware that the tools can be cleaned with white spirit.
