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Selecting the right color is one of the most important things to contemplate. You want to choose a color that will give your wood a lasting look.
Substrate texture, wood’s color, the light source and sub coats applied to the wood are the few factors that will determine the look on the finished project.
Wood color and substrate will highly affect the appearance of stain products. Example porous wood would absorb more stain making the substrate show through.
While staining, keep in mind that the first coat of a two coat system will appear darker than the second one. The second coat will be smoother and will reflect the light evenly. This reflection may make the coat have a slightly higher sheen. Clear finishes also aren’t entirely clear and tend to affect the color somewhat.
Light sources also have an impact on the various color appearances. For example, the incandescent lights tend to be yellower and warmer compared to fluorescent lights. Both interior and exterior light sources tend to affect indoor surfaces near the window.
With the above in mind you can proceed to apply your stain. Here are some necessary requirements before you begin; sandpaper, protective’s (goggles, ear plugs), mineral salt, cabot stain, respirator and belt sander. As you are staining, prep the surface systematically giving time for the finishes to dry completely.
The surface to be finished must be clean from paint and dirt. Use sandpaper to strip the old layers. Then thoroughly clean the surface with mineral spirit. Sand bare wood in the direction of the grain and after that dust all sanding with a tack cloth before staining.
Stir well the stain before applying it to make sure the pigment has circulated following cabot stains instructions. Brush a little stain on a piece of wood to see if it matches the finishing.
Use a natural bristle brush to apply Cabot interior stain. However, for the water-borne products, a brush with highly synthetic fibers is recommended by cabot stains. Avoid using a natural bristle brush for water-borne pieces as they absorb water.
Also cabot stains endorse applying topcoat polyurethane as it protects the wood from scratches, nicks and spills. Allow the first coat to dry completely before other additions. Don’t forget to wipe the surface between coats using a tack cloth.
After that, clean equipment and brushes with mineral salt. Dispose empty cans and tight close the unused stain. Cabot stains warn that steel wood or rags soaked with this product may freely catch fire if not properly discarded.
Finally, know that the color you approve in the hardware or home centre are only the approximation of the final color you’ll see on your project.
