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How to Stain and Finish Plywood for Woodworking Projects - post thumbnail

How to Stain and Finish Plywood for Woodworking Projects

Plywood is one of the most versatile and cost-effective building materials, and as a result, it is also one of the most popular. So many home DIY projects involve the use of this type of wood, and in order to give it a finished look, most turn to stain. I have put together a comprehensive…

How Much Stain Do I Need? - post thumbnail

How Much Stain Do I Need?

This article clearly describes the formula for calculating how much stain you need to complete a given project. After describing different factors that might alter the amount of stain you need, it gives examples of common projects and the average amount of stain needed for each.  Factors That Affect How Much Stain You Need There…

How to Lighten Wood Stain Before Applying - post thumbnail

How to Lighten Wood Stain Before Applying

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…

Recent Articles


Danish Oil vs Wood Stain: Which For Your Project? - post thumbnail

Danish Oil vs Wood Stain: Which For Your Project?

Two products used to beautify (and sometimes protect) wood are Danish oil and wood stain. Learn more about their similarities and differences by reading this article. I’ll also reveal the major differentiating factor between Danish oil and wood stain, and explain the best applications for each type of finish.  Feature Danish Oil Wood Stain Composition…

How Many Coats of Stain - post thumbnail

How Many Coats of Stain

Applying a stain is essential to almost every wood-related DIY project. However, how many coats of stain you need is an often-debated topic, with several misconceptions and uncertainty. If you want to stain but don’t know how much to budget for, this article clarifies some ambiguity around staining. How Many Coats of Wood Stain Do…

Gel Stain vs Oil Stain [Exactly When To Use Each] - post thumbnail

Gel Stain vs Oil Stain [Exactly When To Use Each]

Stains beautify, preserve, and fix minor blemishes in wood pieces. It brings life, clarity, and color to otherwise dull wood pieces. Two popular types are gel and oil stain. Although similar in their composition, their dissimilarities in their behavior warrant an in-depth look at the differences between gel and oil stain. Gel vs Oil Stain:…

Can You Stain Caulk? [Yes, Here’s How] - post thumbnail

Can You Stain Caulk? [Yes, Here’s How]

Caulk is like a wood filler. It is typically used as a waterproof sealant around the base of a toilet and the edges of a bath, window, kitchen sink, etc. Other uses include sealing cracks and filling small holes. Another benefit is that you can colorize caulk through staining to achieve your desired hue. Can…

Gel Stain vs Wood Stain [Exactly When To Use Each] - post thumbnail

Gel Stain vs Wood Stain [Exactly When To Use Each]

The purpose of gel and wood stains is to apply protection and color to a surface, like wooden furniture. So, what are the differences between gel stains and wood stains? Gel stains are thicker and more gel-like. Wood stains are thinner, like a liquid. These differing viscosity levels impact their appearance, application process, cost, and…

Can You Stain Over Stained Concrete? - post thumbnail

Can You Stain Over Stained Concrete?

Concrete staining is a popular method of enhancing the appearance of concrete surfaces. The most common reason for re-staining concrete is that the first layer is either in bad shape or they want a different look. In this article, I’ll talk about staining stained concrete and provide advice on how to proceed. Can You Stain…

Best Temperature to Stain Wood - post thumbnail

Best Temperature to Stain Wood

Staining wood is a great way to elevate the look of your project or enhance the beauty of the wood, but environmental aspects can influence stain application. What temperature is best for applying stain to wood, and what other factors influence the process? What is the best ambient temperature for staining wood? The ideal temperature…

Can You Stain Over Varnish? - post thumbnail

Can You Stain Over Varnish?

Stripping old finish off a project piece before restaining can be a tedious, labor-intensive, and time-consuming task. Can you stain over varnish to avoid the extra work, or is it a prerequisite that the old finish must be stripped off first? Can You Stain Over Varnish? Yes, you can stain over varnish, but it requires…

Does Wood Stain Go Bad? - post thumbnail

Does Wood Stain Go Bad?

Wood stains are one of the best ways to enhance the natural grain of wood while providing some protection against the elements. Many woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts have questioned whether wood stain products can go bad, and how to properly store these products! Will Wood Stain Go Bad Eventually? As a general rule, wood stain…

How To Match Wood Stain - post thumbnail

How To Match Wood Stain

Sometimes you need to match new stain with an existing color. This article discusses how to match wood stain to get the perfect fit.

Best Plywood for Staining - post thumbnail

Best Plywood for Staining

Plywood is an economical and all-around product popular with the building industry and DIY home users. It is available in a myriad of finishes with varying quality. Not all plywood is suitable for staining, though. That begs the question: What is the most suitable plywood for staining? Best Plywood for Staining The most suitable plywood…

What Happens if You Apply Polyurethane Before Stain Is Dry? - post thumbnail

What Happens if You Apply Polyurethane Before Stain Is Dry?

Applying stain and polyurethane can enhance the beauty and increase the durability of any woodwork project. Questions about the sequence and timing of the applications are crucial when working with these wood finishes. What happens, for instance, if you apply polyurethane layers before the stain has dried? What Happens if You Apply Polyurethane Before Stain…