Wood Stains, Colours and Shades

Staining wood is a rewarding process that beautifully enhances the natural grain and colour of the timber. Achieving a professional, even finish is straightforward if you follow these essential steps.

1. Thorough Sanding is Key: You must start with bare, clean wood. Sand the entire surface in the direction of the grain, starting with a medium grit and finishing with a fine grit. This opens up the wood's pores to accept the stain evenly.
2. Remove All Dust: After sanding, vacuum the surface and then wipe it down with a tack cloth to pick up every last particle of dust. Any dust left behind will be trapped in the finish.
3. Apply the Stain: Using a clean, lint-free cloth, apply the stain liberally, working in the direction of the grain. Work in manageable sections.
4. Wipe Off the Excess: This is the most critical step. After letting the stain penetrate for the time recommended by the manufacturer (usually 5-15 minutes), use a new, clean cloth to wipe away all the excess stain from the surface. If you leave excess stain on the surface, it will become a sticky, tacky mess that won't dry properly.
5. Apply a Protective Topcoat: After the stain is fully dry (allow at least 24 hours), you must protect it. A stain provides colour, not durable protection. Apply a clear topcoat like a varnish or lacquer to protect the wood from scratches, moisture, and wear.

Yes, you can absolutely paint over wood that has been previously stained. However, for the paint to last, you must follow a specific preparation process to ensure the new paint can adhere properly and to prevent the old stain colour from ruining your finish.

The necessary steps are:

• Clean and Degrease: The first step is to thoroughly clean the stained wood with a good degreaser. This will remove any accumulated wax, furniture polish, oils, or grime that could interfere with paint adhesion.
• Scuff Sand the Surface: You do not need to sand all the old stain off. Your goal is to de-gloss the surface and create a "key." Use a medium-grit sandpaper to scuff the entire surface until it has a dull, matte appearance.
• Use a Stain-Blocking Primer: This is the most important step. A high-quality stain-blocking primer is essential. It performs two jobs: it provides a strong foundation for your new paint to bond to, and more importantly, it creates a barrier that stops the powerful pigments in the old wood stain from bleeding through and discolouring your new paint job.

Yes, it is absolutely essential to apply a protective topcoat over a wood stain. This is one of the most common misunderstandings in wood finishing.

A wood stain's primary job is to provide colour. It contains pigments that penetrate the wood fibres to change their appearance, but it has very little in the way of binding resins or protective qualities.

A clear topcoat, such as a varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane, is designed for protection. It forms a durable film on the surface of the wood that protects both the stain colour and the wood itself from:

• Scratches, scuffs, and physical wear.
• Moisture, spills, and water damage.
• UV rays from sunlight, which can fade the colour over time.

Without a topcoat, the stained surface will be easily damaged, the colour will wear away quickly in high-traffic areas, and it will offer no real protection from moisture.