Methods For Staining Woodwork

Traditions

How does everyone apply stain and poly. Seems like everyone does it differently. I have a friend who is a cabinet maker. pretty old school guy. He applies stain with a regular brush then applies poly with black china bristle. Different people sand between every coat. Use water to raise grain etc etc etc. I know i could use some help with staining woodwork. Most people send off their stained trim to a shop to be done. However, i still have jobs i need to do it on. I have been painting quite awhile but still don't consider myself a master at glass like finishes on woodwork.. Anyone want to share their methods.

Cat_painter

This is how I do it. I sand door use tack cloth to wipe it down then I use a rag to put the stain on. After it dryes I use steel wool then tack cloth again then do that one more time then I apply poly with a foam brush 2 coats

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Jill of all trades...Master at MOMMY

Traditions

u don't sand poly at all?

Cat_painter

I was taught not to..It turns out great I have done to many doors to count for John Deere and I have never sanded poly I only sand once unless there are drips and runs

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Jill of all trades...Master at MOMMY

Teetorbilt

I rub in the stain with cheesecloth, just the way that I was taught.

I'd never mix steel wool with water poly, may cause discoloration or rust stains. I have used 3M pads with water poly. Never did get the 'glass' finish that I can get with oil.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

eastend

poly bonds to itself mechanically- which means it doesn't "melt in" like lacquer or shellac. Therefore, to provide for good adhesion, you really should sand between coats. same for CV and 2Ks, if they have cured.
To achieve a "glass-like" finish using a water borne, try Target's Oxford hybrid, or Absolute's Ultra Gold - both oil-modified. With enough build, and a nice rubout, they're terrific.

Traditions

what do you guys apply poly with?

Brushslingers

I stain with black bristle, apply sanding sealer (normally alcolhol based) with black bristle and sand, tack and apply poly with black bristle. Some of the doors i've done in this method are still sweet after 5 years or more... way I was taught. I don't sand before and never sand poly.

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Benn

Joewho

Some people like the foam brushes, some use black china bristle, some use white china bristle.

On production staining, a brush to lay the stain, rags to wipe it off and a dry brush to pull it out of corners, if necessary. Use straight, pure stain, not minwax "stains, seals, protects crap". Never sand stain.
If necessary, dust stained pieces with a brush or rag.

Use quick dry poly on production work, use fine sandpaper in between coats.

Traditions

some sand poly some don't. Some apply differently. Sounds like everyone has their own way of doing things.

Richard

what did you expect? and each guy will swear his way is best too, lol

I rarely apply stain with a brush, but I will occasionally. I sand between coats of poly and never touch a black china...only white china--they dont spread nearly as much...

welp, add me to the "has their own way of doing things" club, lol