For a long-lasting, even stain or varnish on your trim, you have to do the job right.
Learn how with our help.
Staining and varnishing require different techniques thanpainting.
To start with, you might apply most stains with either a brush or a cloth.
First, lay a coat of stain on the wood in the direction of the grain.
It may look muddy at first, but that will clear up when you wipe off the excess.
If it’s too light, repeat the steps.
For a light tone, first seal the wood with a prepared wood conditioner.
To learn about this and more, check out our tips below on staining and varnishing trim.
Whenever you’re finishing any new trim, stain it before putting it up.
With either a brush or lint-free cloth, apply it in the direction of the grain.
Overlap your strokes slightly so you don’t miss any spots.
This also forces the stain’s pigment into the grain, enhancing contrast.
The result can often look blotchy.
To make your stain coat even, first apply a wood conditioner made especially for this purpose.
For the smoothest system, use a disposable foam brush and work across the grain to fill the pores.
To avoid runs, don’t load the brush when working near edges.
Be sure you have a drop cloth under your board before you do this step.
Wipe to remove excess oil.
Allow the finish to dry before applying a second coat.
Reapply until the wood will not absorb any more oil.
Wipe off the entire surface after rubbing.
When the oil has cured, applypaste waxfor protection.
