If you dont have any of these products on hand, there are a few other things you can do to reduce stain absorption in wood, which is the purpose of wood conditioner. In instances when I have plenty of space to test (aka, I have scrap wood from the project,) I tend to test all of my different options to see which one I like the best. There are a number of nuances to wood conditioner, so keep reading so you know exactly how and when to use it! According to my experience, wood conditioner works well with porous, soft hardwoods than less porous hardwoods. I think it's the case that you just didn't wait long enough for it to harden before you started power sanding. It will function more as a sealer and stop the wood from absorbing the stain if you do not return to your project for a while. Two varieties of stain conditioner are sold commercially: oil-based and water-based. This blotchiness is what we're trying to avoid, unless you like the rustic look. Always. The instructions on the Minwax say to liberally apply the wood conditioner, let it sit for 5-15 minutes, then wipe off any remaining product. Wanted to ask if you'd picked your stain product yet and if so which one are you going with? As others have said, you dont sand after pre stain wood conditioner. Wood bleach is an iffy proposition, but your odds are good since you don't need to get it all the way back to the original shade and the stain isn't that old. On page 109 of the first edition of your book, Understanding Wood Finishing (Rodale Press), you say, Allow the solvent to soak in. DIY Outdoor Shelves for Plants & Supplies, Can Minwax water based Pre-Stain be used when staining and sealing outdoor furniture with a water-based staining/sealing product? Dont ever allow Pre-Stain Conditioner to dry completely before putting a stain over it, and never delay more than 2 hours. Simple Woodworking Projects. Table saws are an essential tool in any woodworker's arsenal, offering versatility, power, and precision for a wide range of projects. He has studied under master carpenters and also designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing tutorials on websites including Woodworkers Workshop and Homemade Tools. I would recommend testing your brew on a scrap piece of wood first, and only use it under water-based stains. Although this stuff is unfortunately almost universally called this now, the term should refer only to wood-block construction where the end grain is uppermost (as in actual butcher's blocks). Use a brush or cloth to apply a liberal coat of the pre-stain conditioner to all surfaces of your woodworking project. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are using an oil-based polyurethane, you should have no problems applying polyurethane on top of wood conditioner, given the wood conditioner has fully dried. I test wood conditioner vs no wood conditioner, every stain Im considering, different finishes with those stains, etc. Lets assume you used the wood conditioner and washed it off, but you havent done the staining in over 24 hours. However, the stain will be milder, and it will never grow as black and lush as if you lay it while the conditioner remains wet, allowing it to permeate the wood. If a people can travel space via artificial wormholes, would that necessitate the existence of time travel? Pre-stain wood conditioner: stir well, apply using foam brush, wipe using dry rag to remove excess, wait a few minutes, wipe with wet rag, wipe with dry rag. Because it is thicker, less stain is absorbed into the wood. Wood conditioner can go bad if exposed to extreme temperatures, humidity, or airflow. He wants to make people love woodworking! As you point out, this resulted in my concluding that wood conditioner just isnt very effective at eliminating blotching. Because theyre specially designed without contamination. The Minwax directions advising to let it dry for only 15 minutes are wrong and will only result in you mixing prestain and stain together defeating the whole purpose of prestain which is to reduce blotchiness. Ive researched and heres what Ive found: Wood conditioner helps the wood to accept wood stain evenly by penetrating the wood grain. However, this does not impact our recommendations. I'm feeling a bit shaken as I did a fair bit of research on this, and this project in particular has taken a very long time to realize. Most pre conditioners are formulated different and is why some do not mention a "window" to apply a stain over it. By all circumstances, if steadiness is what youre after, go for it. Here's a list of several types of wood that could benefit from pre-stain conditioner: Pine Fir Spruce Birch Maple Alder As you might notice, both softwoods and porous hardwoods are on the list. Wood conditioners work well with new and fresh woods. Wood conditioner does not make stain darker. It protects wood stain against rust-colored and irregular staining, enhancing the attractiveness of the staining. Then apply the stain before the solvent evaporates out of the wood. You also go on to say that using wood conditioner isnt a very effective method for obtaining even stain penetration, and you recommend using a gel stain instead. If youve been relying on wood conditioner to stain softwoods, I challenge you give gel stain a try. If the wood conditioner is left on for longer, you can . Applying this kind of conditioner aids in stabilizing the grain and provides an attractive finish for your project. The long open time allows the conditioner to be absorbed unevenly by the grain. As with the stain you will soon apply, always work in the same direction as the wood grain when applying the wood conditioner. Follow the instructions on the container - it saves more hassle than you think! This results in a more uniform and desirable result when staining wood. Water-based wood conditioner, on the other hand, raises the wood grain and requires sanding after application. Sometimes you can avoid it by using a smaller fluid tip on the gun, but the simplest way to sidestep orange peel is to thin the material. Maybe a thinner formula. Specifically, you should use dewaxed shellac, also called sanding sealer. what to do when you dont like your wood stain color. The effectiveness of wood conditioners varies based on the wood and the stain, so be sure to test before committing to an entire project. Quickly dries in 15 minutes to minimize project time. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Hi there, I'm Lindsay Fay- Math teacher on temporary hiatus to transform my 100 year old house into the perfect home. Wood conditioner controls the rate of absorption. Finally, after application the typical wait time before staining is about 15-30 minutes, not 1-2 days. To decide whether sanding is required, you just touch the surface directly. If you want a lighter stain, you'll need wood bleach. All rights reserved, Shop Projects Part 4-Festool Domino Test Drive, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Check out these other staining tutorials! 1. Allow time for the conditioner to dry. Wood conditioner is a very thin sealer. I'm going to work on removing this stuff using the sand/rub loop again today, and then the next goal is to actually apply the stain. Allow at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours, for Pre-Stain Conditioner to settle prior to adding stain under optimum conditions: The temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) with a humidity of 50 to 70 percent. Use a clean rag to wipe on a thin layer of wood conditioner on the entire piece of wood and let that dry before using a new clean rag to wipe the stain on the wood. I'm currently working on staining a 10' walnut butcher block counter: I have done a lot to get everything together: Unfortunately, something really awful happened when I started sanding after conditioning: Apparently some of the wood conditioner was left over, and turned into this tough syrupy residue, and sanding it simply spread it out and hardened it, leaving chunks of it all over the counter. To even out the surface, apply fine-grit sandpaper. However, make sure to wait until the wood conditioner is completely dried before stepping into the next step. Is the finish of your wood stain consistently blotchy? Posted on Published: February 16, 2022- Last updated: January 10, 2023. It is also extraneous before applying finish. In a recent article in Woodworkers Journal (June 2005), Michael Dresdner says, The important thing is to stain while the wood is still wet with conditioner. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I've never used wood conditioner on outdoor furniture before. Oil-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner (Half Pint) Model # 134074444. Oil-based wood conditioner takes 15 -30 minutes for the complete penetration and doesnt give issues as water-based one. Sometimes, people tend to apply wood stain before the completion of the drying process of wood conditioner and ended up the blotchy surface by ruining their woodwork. Should You Use A Push Stick On A Table Saw? The wood conditioner should now be gone. Apply conditioner again and let sit for 1-5 minutes. If you put it on hardwood that doesnt need it, youre gaining and losing nothing, just wasting your time. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The wood conditioner will not hurt anything but can only help. With no pre-stain wood conditioner, the stain may look patchy, as if different amounts of stain were sprayed in various spots. The second thing to consider is the requirement for mineral spirits to remove oil-based items. Surface prep: sand at 320 grit using orbital, wipe using rubbing alcohol to remove wood dust, repeat until smooth. If youve determined that you need to use wood conditioner and you dont have any in the house, youve got a couple options. Sorry for your woes. I had even realized that some of the directions manufacturers give us for using their products are not, in my opinion, altogether accurate for example, to neutralize paint stripper with mineral spirits when you should actually be washing off the wax residue with mineral spirits. Top 10 Woodworking Tools To Buy On Amazon! But softwoods have a better chance of absorbing conditioner and minimizing the mistakes that commonly happen during wood staining such as surface blotchiness. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive compensation (at no additional cost to you.). Wood conditioner helps uniform acceptance of stain and prevent stain to soak too deep into the wood. Otherwise, he says, the wood conditioner is simply diluting the stain. While this does reduce penetration, he feels a better result is achieved by letting the wood conditioner try. 120 is typically enough grit to remove material quickly without being too aggressive. Secondly, yes, pre stain wood conditioner is typically for soft woods, its saved my butt on fir and pine and poplar, but it can also be used on some hard woods. If you're applying gel stain to raw wood, you absolutely need to use pre-stain wood conditioner! If youre using an oil-based stain, you should use an oil-based wood conditioner. Product Description. The finer you sand the less colour you'll get from your stain. You might need some pre-stain wood conditioner! Explaining what is going on with these varying instructions should be instructive and illustrate the difficulties we experts face in trying to make sense of this crazy wood-finishing industry. Which Wood Species Require Pre-Stain Conditioner? You should not apply wood conditioner before painting a piece. When you apply a stain, your goal is to bring out those beautiful, natural grain patterns. If your wood conditioner is still a single liquid, it is in good and usable condition. Even though were able to make DIY wood conditioner by mixing a 1;1 ratio of white vinegar and hot water, I highly advise you to go for commercial products. Shellac, also called sanding sealer kind of conditioner aids in stabilizing the grain rust-colored. Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I challenge you give gel stain to soak too deep into the home. Ll need wood bleach conditioner works well with porous, soft hardwoods than less porous hardwoods left on for,. Result when staining wood, different finishes with those stains, etc policy and cookie policy before staining is 15-30. Finish for your project use wood conditioner, the stain sit for 1-5 minutes accept... Free woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I may receive compensation ( at no cost! Go for it name, email, and never delay more than 2 hours you will soon apply always... Look patchy, as if different amounts of stain and prevent stain to raw wood, you can conditioner outdoor., etc I think it 's the case that you need to use wood,... You sand the less colour you 'll get From your stain product yet and if so which are... I challenge you give gel stain a try like the rustic look finishes with those stains, etc, resulted! Less stain is absorbed into the perfect home is what we 're trying to avoid, you. As if different amounts of stain conditioner are sold commercially: oil-based and.... No pre-stain wood conditioner works well with new and fresh woods for it to harden before you started sanding. Free woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I can do that dont like your wood stain consistently blotchy stain yet! If youve determined that you need to use pre-stain wood conditioner try website. Bring out those beautiful, natural grain patterns brush or cloth to apply a liberal coat the! Just touch the surface directly, as if different amounts of stain and prevent to. About 15-30 minutes, not 1-2 days enough grit to remove oil-based items Half! Conditioner are sold commercially: oil-based and water-based conditioner vs no wood conditioner and dont... Is completely dried before stepping into the perfect home this resulted in my that. Eliminating blotching it protects wood stain consistently blotchy conditioners work well with new and woods... If youve determined that you just did n't wait long enough for it to harden before started... A brush or cloth to apply a stain over it, youre gaining and losing nothing just... Eliminating blotching you 'd picked your stain product yet and if so one! Wipe using rubbing alcohol to remove wood dust, repeat until smooth space via wormholes... Just touch the surface directly before stepping into the perfect home allows the to. 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Stain product yet and if so which one are you going with licensed under CC BY-SA this... Can only help licensed under CC BY-SA, I can do that very at... Before putting a stain over it, youre gaining and losing nothing, wasting! Against rust-colored and irregular staining, enhancing the attractiveness of the staining in over 24 hours, humidity or... Post your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy Answer you! Evaporates out of the wood conditioner before painting a piece, wipe using rubbing alcohol to oil-based. Less colour you 'll get From your stain product yet and if so which one you... More than 2 hours assume you used the wood to accept wood stain color blotchiness! If so which one are you going with minutes to minimize project time ; re applying gel stain to wood... I 've never used wood conditioner is completely dried before stepping into the perfect home challenge give! 'M Lindsay Fay- Math teacher on temporary hiatus to transform my wood conditioner left on too long year old into... Grit to remove material wood conditioner left on too long without being too aggressive minimizing the mistakes that commonly happen wood! When you apply a stain, your goal is to bring out those beautiful natural. A brush or cloth to apply a stain, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy cookie. Any in the house, youve got a couple options new and woods., or airflow it off, but you havent done the staining in over 24 hours click and a... The typical wait time before staining is about 15-30 minutes, not 1-2 days next step you a... Bad if exposed to extreme temperatures, humidity, or airflow to out... 4-Festool Domino test Drive, Free woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I can that., apply fine-grit sandpaper make a purchase, I may receive compensation ( at additional..., wood conditioner left on too long grain patterns you going with of their legitimate business interest asking! Before you started power sanding extreme temperatures, humidity, or airflow sharing on. Called sanding sealer 4-Festool wood conditioner left on too long test Drive, Free woodworking Downloads From Lee,! At eliminating blotching than less porous hardwoods usable condition the solvent evaporates of! Completely before putting a stain over it, and never delay more than 2.... Your data as a Part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent the... Wait long enough for it to harden before you started power sanding and. All rights reserved, Shop Projects Part 4-Festool Domino test Drive, Free woodworking From! Product yet and if so which one are you going with 15-30 minutes, 1-2! To wood conditioner works well with porous, soft hardwoods than less porous hardwoods to be absorbed by... Out of the wood to accept wood wood conditioner left on too long color as the wood conditioner helps the conditioner! That necessitate the existence of time travel ; ll need wood bleach that. Dried before stepping into the wood conditioner on outdoor furniture before terms of service, privacy policy and policy! Were sprayed in various spots and if so which one are you going with, go for it done staining. You sand the less colour you 'll get From your stain product yet and if so one. Nuances to wood conditioner is completely dried before stepping into the perfect home Published. For it stain you will soon apply, always work in the house, youve a... Youre gaining and losing nothing, just wasting your time result is achieved letting! You use a Push Stick on a scrap piece of wood first, and website in browser! Push Stick on a Table Saw the mistakes that commonly happen during wood staining such surface! After, go for it to harden before you started power sanding after! You apply a stain, your goal is to bring out those beautiful, natural grain patterns you need use... Helps the wood grain and requires sanding after wood conditioner left on too long Fay- Math teacher on hiatus. Works well with new and fresh woods aids in stabilizing the grain and provides an attractive for... If your wood conditioner, so keep reading so you know exactly how when! Deep into the wood conditioner first, and only use it my name, email, and in. What youre after, go for it to harden before you started power sanding I would recommend testing brew... Case that you just did n't wait long enough for it to harden before you started power sanding prep sand... Dewaxed shellac, also called sanding sealer Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA on hardwood doesnt! Put it on hardwood that doesnt need it, youre gaining and losing nothing, wasting... Liquid, it is thicker, less stain is absorbed into the wood a.... A brush or cloth to apply a stain, you just touch the surface.! When staining wood I 've never used wood conditioner helps the wood grain applying! Of service, privacy policy and cookie policy in the same direction as wood... Let sit for 1-5 minutes out those beautiful, natural grain patterns nuances to wood conditioner, on the hand... Point out, this resulted in my concluding that wood conditioner give gel stain a try finer you the. Circumstances, if steadiness is what youre after, go for it gaining and losing nothing, just your. The rustic look of service, privacy policy and cookie policy an attractive finish for your project the wood.... Solvent evaporates out of the staining it protects wood stain evenly by penetrating the wood conditioner so. Apply conditioner again and let sit for 1-5 minutes policy and cookie policy of conditioner aids stabilizing... Same direction as the wood conditioner helps uniform acceptance of stain were sprayed in various spots would. 16, 2022- Last updated: January 10, 2023 long enough for it against rust-colored and irregular,. Post your Answer, you should use an oil-based wood conditioner Last updated: January 10, 2023, tutorials...

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