DIY Projects For This Weekend: Stain Your Furniture
September 1st, 2010Sometimes, it’s about doing more with less, so if you’re looking to update or change the look of your living space but don’t want to drop a lot of money right now, then it’s time for this handy Do-It-Yourself guide. Refinishing used pieces is a great way to spruce up a room.
In our last post, “5 Vital Tips for Antique Shopping“, we discussed trying to find pieces that are well made and affordable. Some of these pieces require a little love so that they can shine again. The following DIY provides the needed steps to bring your newly acquired piece back to life with with some TLC.
Thankfully, this DIY project is so easy, its one that you could tackle this weekend. You’ll be amazed how a little elbow grease and trip to the home improvement store can up the style in your home.
How To: Stain Your Furniture
Here’s how you knock this project out over the weekend:
- Sanding: Put down a drop cloth to collect the sanding debris and protect the bottom of your furniture. Work outside if possible or failing that, in a garage. If you do this inside you’ll be finding dust for months! Gently sand the surface of your furniture, using uniform pressure throughout until the old finish is gone. If you’re dealing with something large like a hutch or table a power sander might be worth the investment.
- Prepare for the Stain: You’re going to want to take your time and make sure all of the dust is gone. Wipe it down with a moist rag that is lint free. Let it dry and then wipe it again. Then repeat the wipe down one more time with a dry cloth and let the piece sit for a bit. Examine it after awhile and see if the wiping needs to be repeated. Make sure your drop cloth is completely free of dust and then cover it with something absorbent like newspaper. If the piece is large, prop it up with wood blocks so you can easily work on the bottom edges.
- Staining: Mix the can of stain up vigorously to make sure the tint is uniform throughout. You will need to mix the stain as you work a few times to make sure the tint doesn’t settle on the bottom of the can. Work in sections, starting on the underside. Stain a section and wipe off the excess so that the wood grain shows through. Make sure to have plenty of lint free cloths ready to go for this section. You can always add more stain later so don’t worry about wiping too much away.
- Dry: The stain will take about a day to fully dry. In the meantime put it somewhere dust and dirt free that is also blocked from the wind. There is nothing like leaving your piece to dry somewhere and find a random leaf or something stuck to it the next day. The weather also plays a role in drying; a lot of humidity in the air will slow the drying process.
- Final Finish: Check for rough spots or areas that may need to be touched up. Sand rough spots lightly and re-stain where necessary. After you’re satisfied with the finished project, apply the sealant coat. This is either made from wax or polyurethane. This will protect your work for years to come, so it’s a very important step.
Knowing how to stain your own furniture pays off in spades over the years. Quality furniture, like the pieces we sell here at Amish Tables, can be refinished again through the years. This gives you a piece of quality furniture that you can change to match a new style or just freshen up to make it as good as new.






























