How to stain fully sanded timber furniture?

PaulKeasey

Keen for assistance from those with more knowledge than myself regarding staining presanded timber furniture.

I restore bedroom furniture for a hobby. When restoring solid timber pieces of furniture that have taken some punishment, I tend to sand the pieces back to bare timber then stain with Feast Watson Proof Tint.

I have found from time to time that the stain finish can be a bit patchy.

Looking for advice on how to improve the finish.

I had a suggestion to apply Feast Watson Proofseal to the presanded timber prior to applying the required depth of colour with Feast Watson Proof Tint, then several coats of Satin Clear Varnish.

The photo attached is one of the beds that I’m in the process of restoring.

Any suggestions very welcome!

EricL

Hello @PaulKeasey 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about staining your furniture.

When restoring solid timber furniture and using Feast Watson Proof Tint, patchy stain results are a common issue, especially on open-grain or highly absorbent timbers like pine, oak, or even some types of hardwoods that have uneven grain density. This happens because different areas of the timber absorb the stain at different rates, resulting in blotches or uneven colour intensity. The suggestion to use Feast Watson Proofseal beforehand is a solid one and can significantly improve the finish.

Feast Watson Proofseal acts as a timber conditioner or sealer that evens out the porosity of the surface. When applied to raw, sanded timber, it helps reduce the blotchiness that can occur when stain is absorbed unevenly. It essentially fills and seals the more porous areas of the grain, ensuring the stain penetrates more uniformly across the entire surface. To apply it properly, you should sand the timber down to a smooth finish (ending at about 180-grit sandpaper), remove all dust with a tack cloth or vacuum, and then brush or wipe on the Proofseal. Allow it to dry completely as directed usually a few hours before applying the Feast Watson Proof Tint.

When applying the tint, work in manageable sections and keep a wet edge. Wipe off excess stain after a few minutes to control depth of colour and avoid streaks. Once the stain is fully dry, you can proceed with your topcoat. Applying several light coats of a clear varnish like Feast Watson Satin Clear Varnish will give a smooth, protective finish. Sand very lightly between coats with a fine grit (320 or above) to remove any raised grain or dust nibs, and always clean off sanding residue before the next coat.

Let me call on our experienced members @JoeAzza and @inspiredbycoast for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric