How to stain wood: long-lasting protection for your DIY furniture
- Difficultyeasy
- CostAround 10 € per m²
- DurationSeveral hours
Introduction
Wood is one of the most widely used building materials and is popular among DIY enthusiasts. With the right tools and a little craftsmanship, you can bring any one of your wonderfully wooden designs to life! To keep your DIY creations protected and shining for longer, it’s worth protecting them with a glaze (also called a stain). In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need on wood stain painting, including how to weatherproof your furniture and protect it from general wear-and-tear.
- electric cleaning brush
- dry vacuum cleaner
- protective mask/respirator
- paintbrush or glaze roller
- gloves
- foil or similar covering to place underneath
- wooden stick for stirring the wood stain
- brush or cloth
- Wood stain
Glazing and staining wood: Step-by-step instructions
In this guide, you’ll learn all about how to stain wood. You’ll be able to use your newfound knowledge in a wide range of creative DIY projects using wood, from building your own colourful garden bench to constructing pallet furniture. Before you begin, make sure to read the “Tips & Planning” section to find useful wood staining tips and extra information.
Are you familiar with our 18-Volt battery system? You can use a variety of Bosch power tools simply by popping out the same battery and inserting it into your next appliance, even when staining wood. This makes your projects a lot easier and more efficient.
As with all DIY projects, safety is paramount. Be sure to read and familiarise yourself with our DIY safety precautions carefully before you start any project. When working with wood stain and glaze, you must wear a protective mask to protect your respiratory tract.
Sanding the wood
You must prepare your DIY furniture before you can glaze it. This involves sanding and cleaning the surface of the wood to achieve a smooth finish and open its pores, which ensures the wood stain is absorbed more completely. Remove any paint or varnish residue with a multi-sander and sandpaper (120 and 180-grit) - you can find more info on this in our guide to sanding.
If you’re working with new wood, this step isn’t entirely necessary. However, we highly recommend sanding and cleaning to ensure you get the best results.
Applying the primer
You don’t need to apply a separate primer for wood stain; the first coat of wood stain serves as the primer and prepares the material for the actual glazing. A cleanly and evenly applied primer makes wood staining easier and ensures the best end results.
Cover your surroundings
Sanding the wood after the first coat
To ensure a proper and thorough glaze, you must sand the wood again after applying the primer, this time with fine sandpaper. This will allow the primer and wood stain to stick tighter to the material, while also helping the wood absorb the next coat of glaze more easily.
Removing the dust and debris
Next, you need to tidy up the dust and wood shavings created during the sanding process. Use a dry vacuum cleaner, a damp cloth, or an electric cleaning brush for this.
Applying the wood stain
Now you can apply the rest of the wood stain using a paintbrush or paint spray system. Always work in the direction of the grain and ensure an even covering across the entire surface. Use our paint spray system guide to help.
If you prefer darker tones, simply apply several coats of wood stain. Each new coat of glaze makes the wood look one shade darker. Remember to let each layer dry completely before applying the next one.
Tips & planning: Staining wood
In this section, we answer some FAQs about wood staining and glazing to help you get the best results from your project.
What’s the difference between wood stain vs varnish?
To protect wood from weather and temperature effects, you can use both stains (also called glazes) and varnishes. The following table illustrates the differences between stains and varnishes:
| Wood stains | Wood varnishes |
| Natural and transparent protection Can apply in either thin or thick layers Wood grains remain visible | Opaque coating Available in different colours Wood grain becomes hidden |
| A wood stain forms a transparent protective layer that protects the material from weathering without concealing the wood grains. Both thin and thick glazes are available, the main differences being that thin glazes have fewer pigments and penetrate deeper into the wood to provide internal protection. Thick wood stains, meanwhile, provide a varnish-like layer on the exterior which prevent moisture penetration. In both cases, the wood pores remain open and can regulate moisture intake. | Wood varnishes effectively protect wood from external weathering. They are available in a variety of colours, so you have a greater choice when it comes to decorating your furniture. However, varnishes are opaque and conceal the natural wood grains. |
It’s possible to apply a layer of varnish over wood stain, but doing the opposite is not recommended. Applying stain over varnish is counterproductive, since wood stain is designed to penetrate the material, which the layer of varnish underneath would prevent.
Are coloured wood stains available?
You are spoilt for choice if you want to apply a coloured stain to your wood furniture. You can find wood stains in a variety of colours and tones, including white, black, matt, glossy, and colourless.
Wood stains can also bring out the natural colours and characteristics of the wood. The more coats you apply, the darker the surface will appear.
Wood staining: Exterior and interior
The main aim of wood stains is to protect the material, but there are differences between the various types. For example, thin-layer glazes that penetrate deep into the wood are great for use outdoors on projects like a DIY wooden terrace, a DIY garden fence, or trendy pallet furniture. You can use these glazes to build DIY beach chairs from pallets, DIY pallet benches, or even a pallet table.
Thick-layer wood stains, on the other hand, are suitable for indoor wooden furniture, ceilings, fittings, floorboards, and panels. These glazes seal the wooden surfaces and make them look more appealing. If used outdoors, thick-layer stains, like varnishes, can flake and peel off over time.
At what temperatures can I glaze wood?
Wood stains penetrate deep into the material, so you should use them at temperatures of 8°C and above. At lower temperatures, the wood pores close up and become less absorbent. You must also ensure the wood isn’t too damp and has a maximum moisture content of 15%.
High humidity, low temperatures, and high tannin contents in the wood all mean that the glaze will take longer to dry. For instance, the drying time for oak wood at 20°C is around 24 hours per coat.
We recommend reapplying new glaze every five years at least. Regular wood maintenance in the springtime is also advisable, as this means you can enjoy your wooden furniture for longer.
Are wood stains harmful to the environment?
There are many different types of wood stains available on the market, including natural and eco-friendly versions that are made of resins and oils. However, products classified as “eco-friendly” sometimes contain pigments and solvents to enhance the glaze and speed up the drying time. The main differences between water-based and solvent-based wood stains are as follows:
Solvent-based wood stains penetrate deeper into the wood and offer thorough protection from the inside. They are therefore considered to be more weather-resistant than water-based stains.
But water-based stains are best for glazing furniture for indoor use, such as DIY wall racks from wooden slats or fruit pallet shelving. These contain fewer solvents and emit fewer toxic fumes when you apply it. That said, they are not completely harmless, as every wood stain releases some form of solvent gas during the drying process.
Take care when glazing wood
Paintbrushes, rollers, or spray systems: Which tool is best for staining wood?
The most suitable tools for painting with wood stain will depend on the type of wood and the surface of the material, among other factors. Here are more details about when to use which tool:
- Use a flat paintbrush for painting straight surfaces
- Use a rounded paintbrush for edges
- Use an angled paintbrush for windows
- Use a large flat paintbrush or roller for large surfaces
- Spraying equipment, like a paint spray system, is also suitable for glazing work
Tips for oiling wood
If you’ve already applied a wood stain to your furniture, you don’t need to oil or wax it afterwards. However, you can protect your wood with oil instead of glaze or varnish. Don’t use household products like olive oil for this, as it will merely moisten your wood rather than protect it. Instead, use a special wood care oil, such as purified linseed oil or tall oil (liquid rosin). These penetrate the wood deeply without clogging the pores, making them a suitable choice for many types of wood.
Tips for painting wood
Looking to give your old wooden furniture a new lease on life? We've got an informative guide on repainting furniture with all the details you need. We’ve also got many upcycling ideas for your home and garden. Paint a chest-of-drawers with zig-zag patterns, build your own shelving unit from an old slotted door, or create a stylish wall shelf from plate holders.
Costs: Glazing wood
The cost of staining wood depends on the supplier, product quality, colour, and area of application. The price of one litre of wood stain can cost anywhere between £8 and £40. The wood type, condition, and your desired result all influence the size of the area you can treat with one litre of wood stain. In general, though, 40ml of wood stain is enough for 1m² of wood. You should therefore be able to cover 25m² of wood with one litre of glaze.