The right stain can really bring out the beauty of the grain

 Before you get too far in the process, you want to decide whether the piece of furniture is worth refinishing or now. Is the underlying wood still good? Is the structure still sound? Is there any damage that can't be repaired, like a big chip or missing piece?The first task tat hand is to remove the existing stain and bleach the wood. The actual process depends on the type of wood so you'll want to discuss the options with a home improvement expert who can recommend the right product. Bleaching will not only remove the stain and take the finish back to the original wood, but you can also cover up blemishes or discolorations that would otherwise still show through once you've finished staining your furniture. Stains come in all colors and types.

The right stain can really bring out the beauty of the grain of the wood and add a lot of visual impact to a piece of furniture. The wrong stain can make your piece of furniture look dull and uninviting. Best of all, it can work miracles with lesser woods, since stain is the great equalizer.Light woods such as beech, ash, poplar, birch and pine can really benefit from stains. Woods like oak can go either way, but cherry, mahogany, maple and rare woods are best left unstained because you want to feature and bring out their natural colors. There are lots of different stains available, from stains that you need to wipe off the finish to water based stains, varnishes and sealer stains. Each will give you a different finish. One basic thing to remember is that Iron Wood Table Factory polyurethane varnish can't be applied over some stains.

So if your heart is set on having a polyurethane finish, you'll want to start with a polyurethane friendly stain.Before you go crazy with the stain, you'll want to test out several on the same type of wood your furniture is. You'll be surprised how different stains can look when actually applied to wood. Don't believe the color indicated on the lid. Also, you can experiment with different blends of stain to get just the look you're after. If a color is too bright, add a drop or two of black. Not more than that. It's important that the stain be applied uniformly. A drip or streak can create darker spots on the furniture, since the stain is actually absorbed into the wood. Always work on a surface that is horizontal.Apply the stain with a brush or rag. With pigmented oil stains, you'll want to let the stain set for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Water based stains are best for new wood or clean, bare wood. Use a brush to apply it using long strokes. Don't overlap the strokes, as this will create darker areas. Stains have a multiplier effect so you want to be as consistent as possible and it's far better to apply several light coats than try to do it in one try. This gives you more consistency and control over the color and finish.

The longer you leave the stain on, the darker the wood will get. NGR stains aren't as flexible. You put them on just like you would a water-based stain but they dry quickly, giving you less control over the finish. Stains can cause the grain to rise a it, giving the furniture a rough appearance. If this is the case give it a light sanding with 000 or 0000 steel wool for oil based stains or some fine grit sandpaper for NGR or water based stains.The final step is to seal the furniture. A final coat of shellac, varnish or sealer should work fine. Never us shellac on polyurethane varnishes or with stains that are water or NGR based. As always, read the directions carefully. Every product is a little different and you don't want to ruin your beautiful stain job by using the wrong sealer or finish.When sealing, make sure the entire surface is coated smoothly and consistently. When the coat has time to dry, usually an hour or two, lightly sand the surface one more time. Really porous woods may need a couple coats of sealer before sanding. Once you're through you can enjoy your stained furniture for years to come, knowing that the wood is not only protected, but is beautiful to behold as well.