I prefer working with metal over wood. I wish I had your skills. Home ownership would dictate a lot of work with wood so I end up doing it anyway. I'm currently trying to make a simple stained threshold. It's been 3 days and the stain still isn't fully cured - looking for direction here.
The piece of wood was previously coated in something - maybe laquer. I sanded it down with 50 grit before applying.
It's been cool and rainy in Cleveland the last few days and it's been sitting in my basement. The dehumidifier says there is about 30% humidity down there.
I thought maybe I put too much on so I took a cleaned stain brush and went over the surface - it did pick a good bit of it up.
I've gotten impatient and have used a heat gun gently on it, as I would do a painted surface that isn't curing fast enough. It's still tacky.
Do I just need to be more patient? At this point will it just not cure?
Stain is more about being soaked up by the wood, less like a paint that needs to dry.
Take a clean rag and just wipe the sucker down. If its been sitting on there for two days and isnt soaked in, you are going to have to sand deeper to get past whatever finish or urethane is preventing you. Excess stain sitting on the surface isnt something you should be going for longer term.
Stain and finish are actually two different things. One is more like a dye, the other is the actual protective coating.
I dont claim to be an expert, but thats what I have picked up.
Okay, few questions.
What type of stain are you using?
When you applied it did you wipe the extra off after a few minutes?
If you've got a photo that might help some too.
I can say that depending on the stain type, most do not really fully "dry" like a paint, and will transfer if they do not get a topcoat. Some I have used will stay a little tacky, while others feel dry but still leave some stain on your hand if you rub the surface. If the stain and topcoat are compatible products being tacky isn't too big of a deal. I've even left the stain on way too heavy to get that faux finish that some customer were looking for on their cabinets. It made for really messy part movement, but the end result turned out great.
EDIT: Like ApexCarver said, you will definitely need a topcoat.
Thanks guys.
- MinWax Woodfinish Penetrating Stain
- No - I did not wipe it off after a few minutes. Sounds like that could be my biggest issue...
- I can nab a photo in a bit if need be.
I used this exact stain when I made our dining room table. (With fresh lumber, mind you) My wife seems to remember it taking a long time to dry then also and it is completely dry to the touch with 0 top coat and has been for 4 years.
It sounds like my first course of action is to get as much of the excess off and go from there.
In reply to AxeHealey :
Unless it is one of the all-in-one stain/poly finishes which that product is not, you really should topcoat to seal the wood.
Definitely get the excess product off the wood. It will vary by product but it is usually ~20min before wiping off. If it isn't soaking in at all by then, you will need to sand further to get any remaining original finish off the wood that is preventing it from soaking in.
Thanks again. I've got a lot of house projects going on while still doing my actual job so I literally just now wiped it all down after lunch.
Seems like a good bet I'll just be starting from scratch here as it's probably not worth my time to sand down through the sticky stain to get at the original stuff.
Apply stain. Wipe excess off after a few minutes. Assess the colour. Want it darker? Put more stain on, let it sit longer. Wipe it off. Wait for a day, topcoat with polyurethane. Recoat for more strength. Lightly sand between coats, and tack rag to get rid of dust.
In reply to AxeHealey :
Stain is a wipe on. Wipe off the longer you wait the darker it will stain.
once stained then you need to finish it varnish is best for outside. Marine varnish is more durable.
inside! Shellac or oil.
Don't judge my retired microwave workbench, we're clearing things out to move. The wiping seemed to help...imagine that. I'll go back and wipe again and see where I stand.
I've got a good bit of clear poly that I can throw on as well. I also have some spray on shellac on the shelf I think.
