} else { Now that you know that it’s absolutely necessary to sand between coats of stains, you need to know how to do it. You see, there are 5 different kinds of stains that are all different from each other and have different requirements. Others have suggested steel wool but I'll say it's unnecessary for oil based stains. That’s why we wrote this entire article for you explaining every single thing about this topic. you don’t need to sand after staining. } figure.alignleft, img.alignleft, figure.alignright, img.alignright, figure img { window.attachEvent("onload", create_ezolpl, pvID, rv); function create_ezolpl(pvID, rv) { But the finish won’t look nice after you sand it. } Either way, begin by sanding the project well a few times using progressively finer grits of sandpaper as you go. SolveSonic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we get a commission on purchases made through our links. _gaq.push(['e._trackPageview']); Also, make sure that the surface is smoothened out by sanding. Saying that I use Sikkens cetol deck on my Jarrah outdoor table& chairs. necessary to sand between coats of stain? Don’t worry about those. That’s because oil-based stain gives us enough time to wipe off the extra amount of stain with a rag easily. A lot of people suggest using steel wool for sanding the wood. It is important to make sure that the wood surface is clean of any dust or debris. Lacquer Stain doesn’t need sanding between coats. However, once you apply the stain, it’s not necessary to sand the wood again. Sanding between coats of stain totally depends on the type of stain you’re using. 4. Good luck! } Use the Same Stain Moreover, it’ll provide a better finish. You could start with 80 grit sandpaper and slowly bring in the lighter sandpapers. But it’ll be gone once you’ve put another layer of stain. As we’ve already explained water-based stains have a tendency of making the grains visible so it’s necessary to sand. _gat._createTracker('UA-183878870-14', 'e'); Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer, How to Remove Grout Sealer?- 3 Simple Methods. You can sand between coats of stain if you are a perfectionist, and we appreciate it. If you want a perfect bond between the wood and the stain, you have to do it. Daniel Pitts( Owner & Chief Editor), who is a 15 years Blogger and IT Engineer from the USA, is recently pursuing MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School. It’s always best to get the feel of any procedure by practicing in an unnoticeable area on your project like the bottom of a table, the back of … With most stains a fair amount of the pigments sit on the surface of the wood. Begin with a medium-grit sandpaper (#120). { However, it has a few properties that are quite different from oil stains. _gaq.push(['e._setDomainName', 'homepander.com']); So, you’ll need to do some light sanding between coats of stain. For example, you can use 320 or 400 grit sandpaper and sand very carefully. After you’re done with sanding, you’ll see that the surface is a lot finer than before. After a coat has dried, use 220 or 240 grit sandpaper or extra fine steel wool to lightly sand surface. _gaq.push(['e._setCustomVar',1,'template','old_site_noads',3]); create_ezolpl(pvID, rv); Moreover, it’ll provide a better finish. Do not sand the final coat. If the forecast is dry for at least 36 hours, you’re ready to … var ezouid = 'none'; var _ezaq = {"ad_cache_level":0,"ad_lazyload_version":0,"city":"Ribe","country":"DK","days_since_last_visit":-1,"domain_id":224370,"engaged_time_visit":0,"ezcache_level":0,"ezcache_skip_code":0,"form_factor_id":1,"framework_id":1,"is_return_visitor":false,"is_sitespeed":0,"last_page_load":"","last_pageview_id":"","lt_cache_level":0,"metro_code":0,"page_ad_positions":"","page_view_count":0,"page_view_id":"d7b3b70d-210d-4fda-4298-bb7fc6c2a967","position_selection_id":0,"postal_code":"6760","pv_event_count":0,"response_time_orig":1493,"serverid":"3.122.99.64:11591","state":"83","t_epoch":1609021189,"template_id":120,"time_on_site_visit":0,"url":"https://homepander.com/sanding-between-coats-of-stain/","user_id":0,"word_count":1341,"worst_bad_word_level":0};var _ezExtraQueries = "&ez_orig=1"; Your email address will not be published. }); If the wood has never been coated previously, it is always good practice to sand the surface. To sand between coats of water-based stain, you’ll need to use more fine sandpaper. margin-right:auto !important; If you apply a second, unnecessary coat of stain to wood that is already adequately covered, you risk creating a tacky surface that is prone to early peeling because the second coat is not penetrating the wood surface, but simply laying on top of the first coat of stain. We’ll also try to whether it’s a good idea to sand all types of stain or just some selective ones. If you want a perfect bond between the wood and the stain, you have to do it. HomePander is our brand name, as you can see it! Sanding on the preparation stage can help apply the oil-based stain. In the beginning, we thought that should you sand between coats of some types of stain? Required fields are marked *. Similar to water-based stains, gel stains also need to sand after a coating. After 48 hours of letting the wood dry, check the weather—rain-free days are the best for applying stain. But sanding before applying a stain is a good practice. After that, keep using sanding paper with different grit numbers until you get to 180 or 220 grit sandpaper. Use a Brush is for Staining. How To Clean Enamel Paint From Paint Brushes? Sand the wood between coats with the steel wool substitute in the same way you sanded between coats of stain. However, you don’t have to do this for oil-based stains. Is it. /* mobile img alignment */ } else { Step Three: Staining of the Deck It is at this point that you do your staining, you should know that the kind of wood stain that you use determines the number of coats that you shall apply to your deck. Also, for polyurethane stain, you can use very light sandpaper. It’s also imperative that it won’t be raining when you stain. For sanding between coats of Minwax stain which is water-based, you should use a 180 grit sandpaper. To sand between coats of stain is not a must for all kinds of wood. float:none !important; var newonload = function(evt) { TIP: If you notice loose wood fibers, then lightly sand wood with medium-grit sandpaper. After that, you’ll notice the whitish powder is gone. Learn More Wood Staining Tips Buy Wood Stain Online Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In short, yes it is absolutely necessary to sand between coats of stains. You’ll see a blotchy finish of the stain after sanding. _gaq.push(['f._setSiteSpeedSampleRate', 20]); This can severely damage the surface of the wood. Applying stain in the middle of summer, when a deck would be exposed to maximum hours of direct sunlight, might cause your stain to not apply properly. If you worry about the grain raising after staining i would recommend wetting the surface evenly with water after doing initial sanding then finish sand when dry. Watch this video to see more tips on how many coats of stain to apply. But make sure to wait between the coats. While it’s required that you sand before you apply another layer of stain, it depends on the type of stain you’re using. And even then you can sand. You can use a sanding tool or use your bare hands to hold the sandpaper and do very light sanding carefully. I am a mechanical engineer. First, it will smooth out any roughness and debris that may have gotten into the finish. If you want a darker color, you try applying multiple layers of the stain. Although using a sprayer is a quick way to stain cedar decking, it is not the most effective way. Also, sanding between coats of deck stain or wood stain is required to level out the excess stain on some portion. You can do much sanding as it can affect the layer of the stain. On the other hand, polyurethane stains require something different. We can suggest 600 grit sandpapers. Your email address will not be published. So, ask yourself if you’re okay with that or not and act accordingly. Sanding produces a white film over the finish, but will disappear as you apply the next coat. _gaq.push(['e._setCustomVar',3,'rid','0',2]); _gaq.push(['f._setDomainName', 'homepander.com']); In short, yes it is absolutely necessary to sand between coats of stains. The most popular stain of all time are oil stains. .site-title a { background: url(https://homepander.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/homepander.png) no-repeat !important; } However, you should never use steel wool to sand wood. I enjoy helping people to solve their problems through my website. Lacquer stains can melt and mix with another layer of the stain. Note: Sanding between coats is not necessary, but it will provide a better finish. I want the table top to be as smooth as I can. After a coat has dried, use 220 or 240 grit sandpaper or extra fine steel wool to lightly sand surface. Minwax, for example, does not recommend standing between coats of stain, at least for oil based stains. _gat._createTracker('UA-38339005-1', 'f'); That’s why it’s important that you stay extra careful while doing this for polyurethane stains. But you can do some very light sanding if you see finishing defects on the surface. cans in the color family you’re interested in. Yes, you should stand between the coats if you want good bonding between the coats of stain and a better finish. If you are using a semi-transparent stain, for example, you only need to apply a single coat using a quality roller, paint sprayer or a brush. Well, with our step-by-step guide, you’ll know the proper way to do it. The thing is water-based stains tend to make the wood grains quite visible. You can lighten stain easily by diluting it with paint thinner. When you sand, you remove the pigments. However, you do need to sand between the coats of water-based stains. HP is our little corner on internet to share our experiences, tips, and interests. However, you should know that water-based polyurethanes and oil-based stains do not match well. 5 Easy Steps on How to Clean up after Stump Grinding, How to Remove Debris from Microfiber Towels: 3 Easy Methods. function attach_ezolpl(pvID, rv) { Nonetheless, water-based stains will always require you to sand between the coats of stain. _gaq.push(['f._setCustomVar',1,'template','old_site_noads',3]); _gaq.push(function(){ Quick Pick: Best Wood Stains/ Best Gel Stain: Minwax wood finish. When you apply the stain the grain will hardly raise. Start sanding the wood with a sanding tool. Decks in great condition only a light sanding with an orbital floor sander. __ez.queue.addFunc("attach_ezolpl", "attach_ezolpl", ["d7b3b70d-210d-4fda-4298-bb7fc6c2a967", "false"], false, ['/detroitchicago/boise.js'], true, false, false, false); HomePander - An Information Guide to Paint and Cleaning. To avoid “lap marks” make sure that the leading edge is kept wet and that wet stain is brushed into wet stain. After a coat has dried. After a while, move on to lighter sandpapers. Sand bare wood lightly. You can start with 80 grit sandpaper and slowly move on to light sandpapers. This way you won’t have to face that blotchy look. You see, oil-based stains take a lot of time to dry. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain. This way the surface stays clean from dirt and debris, giving you a smooth surface to work on. Every DIY home project guy faced this question once in their lifetime. Read Also => Top 6 Best Outdoor Concrete Stain 2020 Reviews. Choose a day that is not too sunny, but will be warm enough. First, you have to get some 220 or 240 grit sandpaper. If you intend to apply two coats of stain to your floor, and you want a dark colored floor, then you may need to apply more than two coats of stain. Getting the best color usually requires stain mixing, so buy a few different 4-oz. _gaq.push(['f._setCustomVar',2,'domain','homepander.com',3]); Let it dry and then come back and sand or re-sand with a 220 grit sandpaper (if you are staining or applying a surface coating use 180 grit to level the grain). create_ezolpl(pvID, rv); _gaq.push(['e._setSiteSpeedSampleRate', 10]); I do sand off lightly between coats at 150 grit. Is it necessary to sand between coats of stain? __ez.ck.setByCat("ezux_lpl_224370=" + new Date().getTime() + "|" + pvID + "|" + rv + "; " + expires, 3); For a darker look, you can do multiple layers of stain and sand lightly in between the coats, which are not a must. curronload(evt); But there’s more to it. We’re a team of home enthusiasts. While it’s required that you sand before you apply another layer of stain, it depends on the type of stain you’re using. _gaq.push(['e._setCustomVar',4,'bra','mod1',3]); Similar to oil stains, it doesn’t need sanding before applying another coat of stain. So, you can use light sanding for the preparation stage. The two-coat application process doesn’t take more than a few hours, but allow for 1-2 hours drying time between coats. var ezoFormfactor = '1'; Mark all the pieces with the colors you use to keep them straight. Our first type and the most commonly used stain is the oil-based stain. Some would recommend steel wool, but we prefer sanding more. To open the pores in preparation for staining. Always sand in the direction of the grain to avoid leaving unsightly scratches. Get a Glass Like Finish on Wood: 7 Steps to Make Shiny Furniture, How to Fix Orbital Sander Spinning Too Fast Problem, How to Fix Orbital Sander Not Spinning Issues, How to Make Plywood Smooth and Shiny [7 Plywood Finishing Ideas], Best Sander for Walls & Drywall 2021: Top 8 Reviews for Removing Paint Faster, Dremel vs Rotozip -Oscillating Tool Differences & Uses Explained, How to Smooth Plaster Walls Before Painting [Fix Rough Uneven Walls], 10 Best Knife Grinder for Beginners 2020 [Belt, Disc & Bench] Reviews. After applying the stain, you won’t need to sand between coats of oil-based stain. As it dries quite fast, you can simply clean it off with a piece of clean rag. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; if(typeof ezouid == 'undefined') } No, you only need to wipe off the excess stain with a rag. Hi, I am Rogers Weber, the man behind of the Solvesonic. But there is a lot more to it. You can decide whether you want to use a sanding block or a random orbital sander to do the lion's share of the work. margin-left:auto !important; Sanding between coats is not necessary. Therefore, it’s vital to seal off sure to seal the end with stain again. Next up, we have the lacquer stain. This sanding serves the same purpose: It evens the finish and helps the next coat adhere better. The water-based stain can raise the grain, and you can do light sanding for a better finish. I use many kinds of tools almost every day at my workplace. In short, yes it is absolutely necessary to sand between coats of stains. } Polyurethane requires sanding between coats for two reasons. Coats because once the stain, you should stand between the wood and have a more look... To dry this sanding serves the same things but they are two different products and interests is wet. In front you that should you sand these between the coats of wood 5 easy steps on how to debris. 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