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Latest Articles
When to Consider Hiring a Heating and Cooling Company
The weather is not something you can control, and whenever you go outside, you are forced to layer up and adapt to the temperature. In your own...
on Mar 1, 2021
Important Roofing Regulations to Consider
Having a home you can truly enjoy that is not only liveable, but safe, sturdy, and a delight to inhabit requires more than picking out the right...
on Feb 24, 2021
What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace Service Contractor
HVAC systems are among the costliest systems that you can install in your house. Therefore, you would probably want to do all possible things for...
on Feb 19, 2021
Choosing a Reliable Furnace System for Your Home
Either way, it would be great if you can invest in something you will benefit from for a pretty long time. If that is the case, you would know that...
on Feb 19, 2021
Lawyers vs. Real Estate Agents: Who to Hire When Buying a House
Because buying a house is already so expensive, most buyers would want to spend as little extra money as possible. Consequently, some may balk at...
on Feb 18, 2021
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
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Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
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Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
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Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
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Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
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How to Stain Furniture
by Guest on Jan 13, 2010
Staining an unfinished piece of furniture or refinishing an older piece is a great way to have a quality piece at a fraction of the cost. The process is fairly simple and depending on if you have to remove an old finish or not isn't that difficult to do. Below are some steps you can take, to stain furniture and achieve a professional looking finish when you are through.
- If it's an old piece you are doing you will have to strip off the existing finish first. Remove any hardware on the furniture before starting. Use a quality paint stripper and follow the labeled direction for cleanup. Lightly sand the piece when finished. If there are any loose joints repair them now before proceeding to the next step.
- If there are any cracks that you feel need to be filled using a wood filler that is close to the color of the stain you will be using. If possible just ignore them completely since this can add to the character an older piece.
- Try and position the piece so that the part you're working on is horizontal to minimize and running of the stain. If this is not possible, then start at the bottom and work your way from there. Apply the stain quickly and evenly to coat the part you're working on. If a lighter finish is desired wipe off the excess immediately or if a darker finish is what you prefer to allow it to soak in for 15 or 20 minutes before wiping. The time will be determined by the shade you are looking for. Continue this process until the entire piece is done and allow it to dry thoroughly.
- Once dry, lightly sand if fine steel wool and apply a compatible sealer over the finish. This will help keep the stain from bleeding through and discoloring your finish coat.
- When the furniture stain is completely dry you can apply protective varnish to the finish. This time, work from the top down. Polyurethane is a popular choice but doesn't produce a high-quality finish. If it's a piece that will take a heavy beating it may be a good choice, but for a professional finish consider Lacquer. It can be sprayed (ideal) or brushed on if done properly.
Tips: Work in a well-ventilated area to protect yourself from any fumes. Oil-based stains provide the best finishes.
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