How To Prep Wood For Stain After Sanding
The technique of wetting the wood down before staining is called popping the grain.
How to prep wood for stain after sanding. Since Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner causes the wood fibers to swell you will need to lightly sand the surface with a fine grade sandpaper 15-30 minutes after application. The mineral spirits will clean any grime or grease off of your surface making it ready for painting or staining. The wood grain is so open that in one coat you should be able to get the look you want.
Using denatured alcohol after sanding would work too. It has been a woodworkers tool for a long time. Check the weather in your area.
When its smooth its ready for stain and there are two types commonly used oil-based and water-based. Wipe down your wood and remove any dust. Instead use a tack cloth a sticky piece of cheesecloth made especially for this purpose.
This raises the hairs in the grain so you can remove them. Also dont apply the stain until the wood. Most stains require dry wood and a 24-hour window of dry weather in order to cure.
Wet the wood with your garden hose and apply a liberal coating of the cleaner using a pump sprayer. Sand parallel with the grain only. When using Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner allow it to penetrate for 1-5 minutes then remove any excess.
Before scrubbing with a stiff bristle broom. Wood dust from sanding will cause problems if its not removed from the surface before staining. Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15-min.
