Tables made of wood have often become the choice of furniture that many people frequently use. This is because the wooden table has higher durability with fairly hard material quality.
A wooden table is one of the most important pieces of furniture in the house. This kind of furniture has a simple shape.
Besides, it also has various uses, such as storage of goods, as a dining table, work desk, study table, and others based on the needs of its users.
However, many want to change the wooden table to make it look more beautiful. Therefore, staining can be a choice because the materials and stuff are easy to find at your nearby stores.
Hence, staining your wooden table is an important step because it will make it look more comfortable and safe when used.
Staining the wood table is not only for professionals or woodworkers. You can also make some moves on your wooden table even if you are not a professional.
Everyone can stain their wood table by using simple materials and stuff. Hence, you can change your table anytime.
So, if you want to make a move on your wooden table by staining it in your home, you can keep reading to learn how to easily stain a wooden table.
Preparing Work Area for Staining
When you decide to stain your wooden table, prepare the area for staining. You can put a plastic sheet or paper under the wooden table to keep your area from dusting.
You can choose a part of your house by using a room with good ventilation, a garage with a well-ventilated room, or an open door.
Cleaning the Wooden Table
Before you wipe your table, it would be better to wipe your countertop with a lint-free cloth or tack cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or food residue.
Cleaning the table can also reveal if there are any dents on the wooden table. This step will help you to sand the surface more easily.
Removing the Old Stain
This step is optional because it will depend on your table condition. If you think your wood table is outdated, you can remove the old stain before sanding the surface.
You can probably use a chemical stripper to remove some old stains before you start sanding. While removing the old paint using a chemical stripper, make sure you do it in an open or well-ventilated room.
Do not forget to read the manufacturing instructions.
Sanding the Table Wood Surface
Before you stain your wooden table, sand the surface to make it more smooth. Sanding the surface will make the result of your staining better.
Start sanding the entire wood surface with coarse sandpaper with 80 grit. Then, move to the medium grit sandpaper using 150 grit sandpaper.
The final step is you can sand the surface by using 220 grit sandpaper before staining. You can use a chemical stripper for the old wood table to get rid of some of the old stains before you start sanding.
If you use a chemical stripper to sand the wood table surface, make sure you use it in a well-ventilated or open room. You can read the manufacturing instructions to properly understand how to use a chemical stripper.
Removing the Dust
Use a lint-free and tack cloth to remove all dust particles from the countertop before applying the stain. Staining the wood table will be easier when the surface is smooth.
You can test the cleanliness by wiping it with a clean white microfiber cloth, but if you think your wooden table is clear enough, go to the next step.
Staining
Before beginning to stain the wood, mix the stain properly by using a paintbrush. For applying the stain on your wood table, you can partially dip the paintbrush into the stain, then apply the stain to the most visible areas until the invisible ones.
You can stain your wooden table by staining it with thin layers. The total coats you apply to your furniture will ultimately depend on your color preferences.
However, you can stain your wood with two thin coats to cover the natural color of the wood on your table. You can lightly sand the table surface using 220 grit sandpaper while you stain the wood.
You can let it dry for a while, then sand the wood. Do not forget to clean with a tack cloth between layers.
Staining the wood causes the wood grain to expand as it absorbs the stain. Therefore, sanding is needed to reduce the size of the wood so the surface of the wood will be smooth and flat.
Related: Remove Stains from Wood Table
Letting the Stain Dry
Before finishing the step of staining your wood table, let the stain dry completely in an open area for 24 hours before applying the protective coating.
However, the wood stain can also dry quickly for only hours. You can let the piece dry in a warm and free dust area if it is needed.
Applying the Coating
Once you find the wood completely dry, the last step is applying the coating to protect your wood table and let the color of the stain shine.
You can apply water or oil-based polyurethane spray to some areas. Apply this polyurethane for at least two coats and let it dry for at least 24 hours before you use your table.
Applying the protective coating will make your wood table more beautiful and durable. Finally, you can enjoy the new look of your wooden table.
Staining the stained wood is not only staining the wood directly after you clean your table. It is a long process before you can use a wooden table with the best appearance.
Although there are eight steps to staining the table, all the steps are easy to follow for everyone.
