I want to stain a white cedar adirondack chair but now sure how to start.?
Question:whats the staining process? just apply one coat of stain and then a sealant? thanks for any help
Answers:
I'd start by sanding it down... I'm thinking a medium coarse grade paper. Then you'll need to choose your stain... if you're going for a "washed look" (i.e white wash) apply with a rag WITH the grain and have another rag to wipe off the excess. Make sure you seal with a protectant.
I'm sure it will look beautiful when you are done. You can call or go to Home depot, and I am sure they would know.
If the wood is excessively rough, go over it with 100 grit sand paper first. Apply your stain. It may take multiple coats to get the look you want. One thing to mention is that cedar might blotch when stained. I'd go the distance and put a pre-stain conditioner on it first. I'm assuming you're going to use an exterior transparent type stain but if not, I'd use a gel type stain on it. BTW, that wouldn't be the best choice if it's going to be anywhere outside except on a covered porch. Once you get the stain on the way you like it, give it a light sand with 150 grit as the stain will have raised the grain of the wood. Now, if it were me, I'd put a sealer on it - probably several coats. After it is thoroughly dry, buff it lightly with 0000 steel wool and then enjoy you're newly stained chair.
well firt you need to strip it. You can get strippers at local hardware store, walmrt,etc. I dont reccomend the spray stripper it odest go too far and is too expensive. You'll need somethign to push the stripping off. I use a metal putty knife. Make sure you press so hard that you dent or scrape the wood.A light to medium steel wool will help get the rest off. If the wood has a lot of notches it in it I'd start with a medium grade sand paper, then go back over with a lighter grade.the most IMPORTANT thing about sanding is that you MUST stay with the grain of the wood, do sand in circles or anythign like that. Stay with the grain.I usually wipe with a slighty damp rag to remove excess dust, make sure it's dry and stain away. Depending your taste you may want more then one coat of stain you really need to let it sit over night to absorb, then see if you want to add. Make sure you use a good polourethane, and I am stongly against water proog ones, they all ways seem to peel and fake after time. One coat of poly let it dry completely and then maybe another...you'll know. One tip tho...it's not good to apply poly in humid weather it takes it 10 times as long to dry and it makes it sticky. So do all this in a well venitlaed non humid atmosphere. Hope that helps, I'm not a pro but I've done quite a few of personal pieces.I've picked dressers up of the side of the road and turned them into show room pieces.
Are you out to add color or protect the wood or both? A natural oil sealer is something to consider -- it lets the beauty of the natural cedar show though and still protects the wood. You can also get the same type of "penetrating oil sealer" in colors. Hard finishes (varnish) may look tacky and will require re-sanding and finishing over time --while the oil sealers can be touched up annually with a new light coat without sanding -- a much more natural look. Go to a "real" paint store and talk to them about your project -- skip the Home Depots and Lowe's "advice"
Cedar is relatively soft,so a light sanding just to get any "fuzz'off would be OK..
Talking about white cedar not a white painted cedar chair?
Agree w/ the advice about not using home center tips.
If its unfinished wood, just wet it to get some idea of what a neutral finish will look like.
May not need a stain.
Might try a marine supply store for some ideas.
The finishes used on boat decks protect wood in the outdoor enviornment.
They are meant to be walked on & are used for seating as well & since they do not seal the wood with a "skin" you will not scorch bare feet & legs.
Can be applied w/ just a rag & easily touched up from time to time.
Best regards
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