Video:How to Stain Wood Trim
with JJ BurkartIf you want to give wood a rich and finished look, then you should consider staining it. This demo takes you through the process of staining wood trim from start to finish. See how it's done!
Transcript:How to Stain Wood Trim
Hi, I'm JJ Burkart for About.com. I'm going to show you how to stain your wood trim.Supplies Needed to Stain Wood Trim
You will need:- stain - ask your local paint or stain retailer to help you choose a stain
- a stir stick
- a small angled paint brush 1 inch or smaller
- a rag
- paper towel
- varnish
- another small angled brush for the varnish
Prepare the Wood Trim for Staining
The first thing to do is to lightly sand off any imperfections in the wood with a fine grain sand paper. In this case we need to remove some stray paint.Next wipe the entire surface with a damp paper towel. Be sure to remove all dust and debris.
Prepare the Stain
You are ready to stain so open the can with a screwdriver or paint can opener. Stir completely, pulling the sediment from the bottom of the can to the top and swirling in a circular motion. Be very careful not to spill or drip stain onto floors or walls.Test the Stain
If you have a scrap piece of wood that matches your trim, you may want to test the stain to make certain its the color you want.Begin Staining the Wood Trim
Put a small amount of stain on the tip of the brush. Stain has a watery consistency, unlike paint. It will drip and run if you try to use too much.Start at the top and work down with the grain of the wood. Stain in small sections. After the stain is evenly applied take a paper towel and gently wipe the stained area. This will help to remove excess stain and provide an even color distribution.
Stain the Edges
When staining edges, use a minimal amount of stain and go very slowly. Don't wipe the edge because it will smudge into unwanted areas.This process can be applied to any wood surface. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com.