Wood Stain: Helpful Tips by Cabinetparts.com

It’s relatively easy to choose a wood species when cabinet making.  Also relatively easy is darkening woods by giving it a stain. A stain functions by soaking into wood and bringing an element of color to that specific wood. It’s difficult to try and lighten a dark wood so it’s better to start with a wood containing hardly any color and work to darker levels from there.

Some of the lighter woods that you should consider purchasing for staining are: Oak, Maple, Birch, Ash, Beech, Elm and Chestnut.

Staining wood is an easy Do-It-Yourself project that most individuals can partake in, but there are some considerations to bear in mind before starting the staining process.


At Cabinetparts.com we have all the insider information to help you complete any DIY project.  Plus once you’re done staining your cabinet, make sure to pick up some Cabinet Hinges, Knobs and Pulls or any other additional Cabinet Hardware needed.

Here are a few tips to help assist with staining:

• Always protect eyes and skin by wearing disposable rubber gloves and safety glasses. Wood stain is permanent, so wear old or disposable clothing.
• Test stain on a piece of scrap wood before starting on the furniture.  You want to see how the wood reacts with the stain.
• Apply a thin coat of wood conditioner first before applying stain. Give the conditioner about 15 minutes to dry before applying the stain. 
• Wipe off excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood. This will guarantee that the stain gets into the wood, instead of lying on top. 
• Stains are filled with chemicals and fumes make sure to always work in well-ventilated areas.
• Commonly used oil-based stains consist of dyes and pigments mixed in with mineral spirits. Stir the can thoroughly before staining to bring the dyes and pigments up off of the bottom.  This makes for a fuller more robust color from the stain. 
• Choose a water-based stain to avoid fumes. The advantage to water-based stains is that they come in a wide assortment of colors, compared to oil-based stains. 
• A water-based finish can be applied over an oil-based stain.  Wait 24 hours for all of the mineral spirits to evaporate from the oil-based stain before applying. 
• Apply stain with a brush or a rag. Staining brushes work with and against the grain.  Or you can use both.  Some individuals apply stain with a brush and wipe it off with a rag.
• Stain only provides color, not a finish. Always apply a finish on top of stained wood. Or, if time is short, reach for a product that combines both stain and finish with one coat. The product will need to be brushed on more carefully, finishing by brushing with the grain of the wood. Use a higher-quality brush with this type of stain/finish.
• For lighter tones wipe the stain off immediately.  For a deeper tone, leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping.  
• If you want the wood's grain to be seen, look for a transparent or semitransparent stains.

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