Can You Stain Over Polyurethane

Painting wood with wood protection paint

You opted to keep that natural look for your woodworking project, floors, or piece of furniture. You wisely used polyurethane to give long-lasting protection to the wood from elements and aging. If you are considering adding stain to your project that is already coated in polyurethane, I have steps to help you. Test the Stain …

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How to Waterproof Painted Wood Furniture for Outdoors

Coating the wood with the brush.

Outdoor furniture must stand up to the elements year round. If ice, snow, and rain are given the opportunity to penetrate your wooden furniture, moisture can quickly cause significant damage. Ensuring your painted outdoor furniture is properly finished will help it last for seasons to come. It is possible to waterproof your painted outdoor wood …

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How to Fix Epoxy Mistakes

The popularity of epoxy resin in DIY projects has skyrocketed in recent years. Epoxy can be used to create custom countertops, unique insulated tumblers, to fill imperfections in wood, and more. There are numerous challenges to working with epoxy. Follow the steps below to address your epoxy mistakes. Types of Epoxy There are three common …

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Poplar vs Pine Wood: Which is Better?

Pine wood planks stacked

When creating your perfect project, it’s never easy to choose your perfect material. Poplar wood and pine wood are popular choices among artisans in furniture projects, but which one is better? Is there an advantage to using one over the other? In short, yes, there can be many advantages over using one type of wood …

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Can You Mix Polyurethane With Stain?

Water-based minmax wood stain can on the table

In most cases, wood stain cannot be applied over polyurethane. Applying polyurethane to wet stain leads to discoloration and streaking. However, by following the steps below you can mix polyurethane with stain. There are dozens of brands and several formulations of polyurethane and stain available at most home stores. Understanding how to differentiate among your …

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How To Fix Polyurethane Mistakes

Hand holding a brush to apply polyurethane to a wooden surface.

Polyurethane protects wood surfaces incredibly well if applied correctly. The process of applying polyurethane requires many meticulous steps. If mistakes are made at any point in that process you can end with a host of problems. If you have mistakes you wish to correct in your polyurethane finish, I have methods to help. Bubbles in …

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How To Stain Over Wood Glue

You have put in the hours to complete your woodworking project. Measuring, sawing, sanding, and gluing. The final step of many woodworking projects is to apply stain. If you used wood glue in your project and now need to apply stain, read on to learn how to do this successfully. Stain and Wood Glue Wood …

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How To Remove Acrylic Paint from Wood

Female hand holding a power sanders to removed the acrylic pain on the wood

Acrylic paint is often the most durable family-friendly paint for indoor projects. Acrylic paint is known for its vibrant color and quick-drying properties. These qualities mean that acrylic paint spills and splatters are eye catching and may require many techniques to clean up. If you have acrylic paint to remove from wooden surfaces, I have …

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How to Preserve Wood

Man applying varnish on a piece of wood

Many DIY projects around the home involve woodwork. These include putting up new fences, sheds and decks in the garden, and repairing old benches and porches. When you’re spending your time and money completing these projects, you want them to last. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to preserving wood. You can use this …

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How to Lighten Wood Stain Before Applying

Row of cans of wood stain

Staining wood has both aesthetic and finishing benefits for your woodworking project. For starters, staining helps preserve the wood so that it lasts longer. And, stain allows you to add color, texture, and even grain, improving the look and feel of the wood finish. ​However, some wood stains are thick and difficult to apply. Others …

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Polyurethane vs Lacquer

Person applying polyurethane to a piece of wood

Among wood finishes, polyurethane and lacquer are two of the most popular ones. In fact, amature and season woodworkers tend to recommend them a lot for wood finishing. Both lacquer and polyurethane come with pros and cons. Amateurs tend to prefer polyurethane, as this substance is less temperamental than lacquer. However, the latter is often …

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Can You Stain A Deck In Cold Weather?

Staining and refinishing are important for the deck’s durability. In fact, staining the decks can protect it from damaging elements. That being said, the temperature can play a huge role in the staining of your deck. Normally, it’s better to always work at moderate temperatures for staining the wood. No one wants to work in …

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