People tend to think that to make your living room look more posh and upscale, you'd have to purchase a whole new sofa set. We all know that with the economic downturn of the past year alone, it's been hard to really splurge on such material things. Thankfully there are resourceful ways through which we can enhance our living spaces, and one of those things is wood staining.
Sure, antiques look great and it does wonders in boosting your self-imposed status perception. But really, unless you're a Hollywood bigwig or business tycoon (or a really prolific thrift shop scavenger), antiques tend to be way over the average person's budget. The trick is to get the look for less! Wood staining doesn't require professional hired hand; you can do it yourself in the comfort and ease of your own home. All you need to know are the basic steps to efficiently pulling off your very own wood-stain projects. Shake off your fear that this is something for the crafty and artistic; all it really means is adding color to wood. You can enhance the graining patter of your wooden furniture or accentuate the details and etchings on the pieces that you stain. This gives your wood furniture a dramatic (and permanent) change; so before you hop on the staining train and get trigger-happy, test the stain first before applying it to your furniture so that you can be sure you achieve the desired effect. One way of testing it is by applying it to a part of the piece that won't be seen, either the back side or underneath it. You can't test it on a different surface area of wood because they will most likely have different results. Scrap wood is alright to test on as long as it's from the same wood your furniture is made from.
There are three basic things to wood staining: the carrier, pigment, and dye. Whether the stain is oil or water-based is determined by the carrier. Also, there are four easy steps to a successful do-it-yourself wood staining project. Follow the directions well while giving way to your creative side and you're guaranteed a fun time while learning yet another skill. The steps below, however, are for if you're choosing to use an over-the-counter stain that comes in a can. Some stains can be made at home as well and sites such as Indobase can give you tips on how to make your very own home-made stain.
Step One
Pigments, especially the heavier ones, tend to settle to the bottom of the can, so be sure to shake it vigorously before applying. This will ensure an even coat and coverage over your piece.
Step Two
If, during your test-piece some blotching occurs, this may mean that you have to apply a wood conditioner first. If this be the case, then be sure to apply the conditioner 15 minutes before staining. Make sure you use the appropriate wood conditioner for the piece you are working on and don't scrimp on it either—apply liberally.
Step Three
Apply the stain in even motions and strokes either with a brush, staining pad, or a piece of rag. Wipe off excess stain after a few minutes because leaving it on longer will result to a deeper, richer color to your furniture.
Step Four
As soon as you finish staining your piece, let it dry completely overnight. You can decide to apply more stain after it's dried to see if you'd much rather have a deeper, darker shade or just keep it the way it is. Don't fret if it looks dull and lackluster because that's normally how it looks after it's been stained. But once you've applied the finish, it will appear fresher and more appealing.
There's really no genius required to a successful DIY wood staining project. It's easy, it's fun and also very rewarding once you've seen the finished product. Quite the affordable and prudent way to liven up the look of your old pieces and bring a new personality to your living spaces.
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Author Resource:-> BidMyServices.com is specifically designed to help you find local services. With the efficient pool of candidates the site offers, you'd be able to hire that experienced painter you've been wanting to have. Our blog provides tips and service advice from our experts. For more information visit us at http://www.bidmyservices.com