How to Get an Even Finish With a Stain & Polyurethane Combination
- 1). Sand down the surface of the wood to eliminate any machine milling marks, grooves and deep scratches. Sand in the direction of the wood grain. Start with a coarse 80-grit sandpaper, and sand down the entire surface. Then sand the entire surface with medium 120-grit sandpaper. Sand away the scratches made by the 120-grit sandpaper with a fine 220-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the wood with a tack rag.
- 2). Thin the untinted polyurethane sealer with paint thinner. Use a 1-1 ratio -- 1 pt. paint thinner to 1 pt. polyurethane sealer -- and stir with a paint stick. Apply one even coat of the untinted polyurethane sealer to the wood. Wait 8 hours for it to dry, then apply another even coat of the sealer. Wait 12 hours for the sealer to dry and set up or harden. Lightly sand down the sealer coat with 320-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the wood with a tack rag to remove the sanding dust.
- 3). Apply an even coat of un-thinned or full-strength polyurethane sealer that has been tinted with stain, using a foam brush. Stain smaller surfaces like chair legs or drawer fronts first, then move on to stain the larger areas of the wood. Don't overlap the stain as you paint it on, or you will end up with a spot that is a deeper color than other areas. Line up the edges of the stain brushstrokes on the surface of the wood, by lightly touching the brush near an edge and moving it across the surface to the other side. Brush from the left edge to the right edge. In the next section of the wood, move the brush in the opposite direction, from right to left.
- 4). Wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag. Let it sit 12 hours to dry, then sand it down with the 320-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the wood with a tack rag, then apply another coat of the tinted polyurethane sealer. Lightly sand down the sealer coat with 320-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the wood with a tack rag to remove the sanding dust.
- 5). Stir the clear satin finish with a paint stick, as it may have settled or separated in the paint can. Apply an even layer of clear satin finish topcoat to the wood with a foam brush. Wait 8 hours for it to dry. Lightly sand down the sealer coat with 320-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the wood with a tack rag to remove the sanding dust. Apply another coat of the clear satin finish.
- 6). Wait seven days for the stain and finish to fully cure. Apply a small dab of rubbing oil to the surface of the wood, and rub it in with super-fine, 600-grit silicone carbide wet or dry sandpaper. As you rub the oil in, work in small areas, and occasionally wipe down the surface with a clean cloth and inspect the sheen of the wood. Areas that require more sanding will be near shiny spots or low areas on the wood's surface. When you have reached a uniform sheen in the wood, clean the surface with a cloth and mineral spirits. Apply a small quarter-sized dab of mineral spirits to the cloth, and rub down the entire surface of the wood.
- 7). Apply an even coat of paste wax to the finished and stained wood. Wait 30 minutes for the layer of wax to turn cloudy, then buff it with a wood polishing cloth to a brilliant shine.
