Best way to stain?

[Reggae Fish]

Getting ready to stain a stand. It is solid oak. He is sending some scrap pieces for me to test the right stain. However, rather than spending the money to buy 3+ stains to get the color right, any suggestions?

I was planning on using the minwax gel.

Any suggestions are more than welcome!

 

[DrBDC]

Usually with stain.

But seriously, I used a cotton rag to apply the stain on the oak stand I made.

 

[Reggae Fish]

Well I'm looking for someone with more experience :lol:

I don't want to stain my stand and have it be off. Do I have to buy several stains to test or will lowes/hd stain a board for you?

 

[panaboy95]

I have done quite a bit of staining, and the best results I have gotten are applying it with a brush. (I use a foam brush. if you do not use a foam one use a good quality brush cheap ones shed bristles and it is a pain picking bristles out of stain and poly) the trick I use to get a good even coat is to wipe off the rest of the stain that does not soak into the wood. I use an old cotton t-shirt. if you want the stain darker let it sit a while. if you want it lighter wipe off fairly quick.

I don't like using gel stains or poly with stain. they take a little away from the wood grain.

watch getting info about wood staining and stuff like that of of a chain store website. they will suggest whatever it takes to sell there product.

 

[Letmegrow]

Oooooo Maaayoooooo boooooy.

Ask him.

I used a sponge brush and it took forever so I got the cotton material and it was so much better.

Wipe down stand of dust/debris with cloth
Apply stain,
wait till dry,
knock down/pop air bubbles with very fine sand paper,
wipe completely clean of dust with soft towel
recoat the stand

 

[Reggae Fish]

Good info. Thanks!

Any suggestions on getting the right color? The guy is sending some scraps so I can stain and match the stuff in the room. Am I going to have to buy 2-3-4 different stains to figure it out or will they throw a coat of stain on the wood for me at lowes/hd?

 

[capncapo]

I don't think they'll do it at Lowes or HD.

Then again, I've been wrong before!

 

[MayoBoy]

Do you have a picture of the stuff in the room? That's a good place to start. Bring a drawer or something small to the store and compare it to the displays (they'll have the same stain on oak and pine so be sure that you look at the right side).

You'll also be able to tweak your final color with your finish. Waterbourne poly will give you a bluer tint, oil based will give you a warmer, yellow tint. If you need to darken it up a bit more, orange shellac will take care of that.

Then there's always ammonia fuming for a true mission look (depending upon what kind of oak it is), alcohol dyes, etc. etc. etc.

Post a picture of some of the existing furniture so we can see what you're trying to match.

p.s. You'll probably also be better off going to Rockler or Woodcraft for stain and advice. (Rockler's on the Rock Road in Bridgeton, Woodcraft is in Westport)

 

[Reggae Fish]

Mayoboy- What KIND (oil, whatever there is) would you use.

Sorry for the pics but my house is definately missing quite a bit of lighting so I hope it comes through all right.

 

[MayoBoy]

First problem - that's not oak. Looks more like cherry (possibly walnut or even stained maple).
Second problem - cherry continues to darken as it ages, oak doesn't so you're never going to keep them the same color.

You might be best off going for a different look that contrasts with the cherry rather than trying for a match. Oak is a very open grained wood that would work well with it as long as they're not the same color.

Personally I prefer an oil based stain. It's easier to blend colors, you don't have to worry about it drying to soon as alcohol based stains do, nor do you have to worry about raising the grain as with water based. Stay away from the all in one products (shaded poly) as they don't give quality results.

 

[Reggae Fish]

sorry, you're speaking spanish to me. Are you saying I can't match the colors because they are different types of wood?

Mayoboy, if possible, send me a pm. Maybe we can work out some form of help in exchange for cash/trade

 

[pewter_jean]

Best advice I can offer, is to take the tank off the stand. That way when your kid decides to help you, you don't get you tank polyurathaned to the stand. Just a little helpful advice I thought I would share. :lol:

 

[TWINPEAKS]

I would either keep it natural oak or stain it golden oak which should go good with the hardwood flooring.I agree with using a oil based stain they're easier to work with and better results.

 

[Im Lon 2]

I used a round Cotton pad they make for waxing cars. And it was the best thing I have used. It didn't tear apart like the foam brush seam to do.