How to Stain Particle Board

Particle board is a great way to make the most of each harvested tree. Cutoff pieces leftover from the milling process can be pulverized and repurposed to create sheets of particle board. Oftentimes particle board is both cheaper and smoother than plywood as well.

Using particle board sheeting in your DIY projects can be a great money saver. Not only that, I have the tips and tricks to help you stain your particle board to add color and luster.

Preparing Particle Board for Stain

Particle board is composed of wood splinters, sawdust, and adhesives. Manufacturers create a slurry of these ingredients, then press apply great pressure and heat to shape the slurry using molds.

One of the great benefits of particle board to the DIYer is that this type of sheeting has reliably straight edges and smooth surfaces. Flush, true surfaces like this are wonderful for all sorts of cabinetry. Particle board pieces can be mated to create true 90-degree joints without a ton of effort.

However, the color of factory-direct particle board can be off-putting. Its unfinished texture looks similar to an old fashioned candy called Chick-o-Stick. This board made of bits of sawdust and wood shavings is extremely porous.  

Its porosity means that stain has an immediate and drastic effect. Stain works by filling wood pores with pigment. However, if the particle board’s pores become too inundated it can ruin your project. 

In order to stain particle board, you will have to seal the surface. If you do not seal the surface, traditional wood stain will immediately penetrate deep into the board. Moisture is the great enemy of particle board sheeting. 

As stain penetrates the sheet, it can cause the board to crumble or buckle. Wet particle board loses all structural integrity. The surface must be sealed to prevent moisture inherent within the wood stain from filling up the porous particle board sheets.

It’s hard to stain your particle board to look like wood, but it’s relatively easy to stain it in general. Particle board must be prepared before it can be stained. You need to apply a stain over top of a wood finisher.

Tools:

• Mild detergent
• Wiping cloth
• Tack cloth
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Sealer

Method:

1. Wipe down and clean all surfaces using a mild detergent and damp rag.
2. Allow surfaces to completely dry.
3. If any surface stains remain, the surface stains can be sanded away with medium-grit sandpaper.
4. Wipe down all surfaces using tack cloth.
5. Apply a thin layer of water-based or oil-based sealer.
6. Allow the sealer to dry completely per manufacturer’s directions.

Tip: If you have scrap particle board from the same project you are hoping to stain, I always recommend testing out both your sealer and stain before sealing and staining your project.

How to Stain Particle Board

Now that your particle board has a thin layer of sealer, it is time to get to staining. Stain operates by filling wood pores with pigment. The longer stain is left on the surface of a piece of wood, the deeper the stain pigment will work its way into the wood.

When staining, you will need to apply the stain then wipe away the excess stain within a self-determined amount of time. If you have the opportunity to test the stain before applying it, the practice will give you more confidence when applying stain to your project.

It is important that before you apply stain that you thoroughly read through the directions of your stain. Understand when and how to apply it. Applying water-based wood stain over oil-based sealant can lead to poor results unless the sealant has been given the chance to complete its cure time.

Tools:

• Well-ventilated workspace
• Safety goggles
• Particulate and vapor filtering mask
• Disposable gloves
• Drop cloth to absorb dripped or sloshed wood stain
• Cheesecloth 
• Wood stain
• For large staining projects: a clean, empty metal can with lid 

Method:

1. Place the project that is to be stained over your drop cloth.
2. Vigorously stir or shake your wood stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Put on safety goggles, mask, and rubber gloves.
4. Dip the cheesecloth into the stain.
5. Lightly wring the excess stain from your cheesecloth.
6. Apply wood stain in broad, oval strokes with your cheesecloth until the entire piece is evenly covered.
7. Allow stain to absorb into wood for a predetermined amount of time. Remember: particle board absorbs wood stain quickly so the amount of set time for your wood stain may be shorter than expected.
8. After your time is up, wipe away excess stain with a clean cheesecloth.
9. Stain should be allowed to cure according to the instructions provided by the wood stain manufacturer.

Big Project Addendum:

If you are planning to stain a large project such as a full set of particle board kitchen cabinets, it may be necessary to purchase multiple cans of wood stain. If you do purchase multiple cans of wood stain for a single project, you need to use the optional clean, metal can to combine your wood stains. 

1. Map out your wood stain path. Usually it is wise to begin at an edge and work across or around the object, then stain the top. If you wish to stain the bottom, wait until the top and sides have completely cured per manufacturer’s instructions before turning over.
2. Move the project over a drop cloth.
3. Put on personal protective equipment like gloves, goggles, and mask.
4. Shake each of the wood stain cans vigorously until the contents are well mixed.
5. Pour equal portions from each wood stain can into the clean, empty can. Wood stains are liable to be uneven from can-to-can. Mixing the stains in a new, clean can prevents uneven coloration in your project.
6. Follow your wood stain path. Dip your cheesecloth in wood stain, then apply the combined wood stain mixture in an approximately 10 square foot area. Apply the stain by wiping in a consistent oval pattern.
7. With a clean, dry cheesecloth, promptly wipe away the excess stain following the same path in which it was applied.
8. Continue to follow your wood stain path, applying then wiping away the stain until all sides and the top of the object have been stained.
9. Work through the combined wood stain can, then refill again with equal proportions from each of the original wood stain cans as needed.
10. Allow the wood stain on your project to cure before moving or adding additional layers of stain.

You can also read my guide on staining plywood instead of particle board.

How to Stain Laminated Particle Board

We do not recommend attempting to apply wood stain to laminated particle board. Many manufacturer’s use laminated fascia pieces to spruce up the look of their products.

These furniture pieces have a very thin layer of faux-wood laminate applied to an underlying piece of particle board. The structure and production methods used to create these laminate faces usually prevent them from accepting wood stain well.

We only recommend staining plain particle board. If you do wish to attempt to stain laminated particle board, do so at your own risk.

Tools:

• Medium grit sandpaper
• Safety goggles, mask, gloves
• Cheesecloth

Method:

1. While wearing gloves, mask, goggles, thoroughly degrease and degloss the surface of the laminate with a mild detergent and a deglossing spray.
2. Allow the surface to dry.
3. Sand away any finish on the laminate with medium-grit sandpaper.
4. Apply well-mixed wood stain with cheesecloth, then wipe away excess. 
5. Allow stain to cure and cross your fingers for a quality result!

Conclusion

Staining particle board sheeting can be done! It requires applying a thin layer of sealant to prevent over-absorption of stain into the particle board. I recommend doing a trial application of wood stain on scrap wood before applying wood stain to your project. I do not recommend attempting to stain laminated particle board.