How To Stain Pallet Wood: Tips for Beginners

So you’ve found a beautiful wooden pallet (and checked that this pallet is safe to use for your project), and you’re ready to start your pallet project? The first step is to dismantle your pallet, do not miss our article “How To Dismantle A Wooden Pallet?” to learn several ways of doing it.

If you want to give a perfect finishing touch to your project, you’ll have to pass through your pallet wood staining process and learn how to stain pallet wood. Staining and finishing your pallet wood the right way can do wonders for your pallet repurposed project; here are some pallet wood staining tips that you’ll find useful if you are a beginner. You could also try to know what wood your pallet is made of with this article.

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But, what if you know all of that and you are ready to add some color and life to your piece? We’re here to help!

Learn how to stain your pallet wood: tips for beginners here!

Types of stains

Surface Stains

These fast-drying water-based stains do not penetrate more in-depth than the first layer of wood cells. They are perfect for use on wood trims, frames, logs, spindles, railings, and wood-sided homes.

Shallow Penetrating Stains

Oil-based stains, alkyd dispersion stains, and water-oil emulsions penetrate four layers deep and offer excellent water-repellent properties. Quality brands will provide superior longevity and will wear evenly if applied correctly.

PureColor Stains

These water-based stains give all the benefits of oil-based shallow penetrating stains but are easy to clean-up and with no toxic chemicals or smells. It comes in 24 fantastic colors, and they are available at PureColor Inc.

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Read: A Review Of Purecolor Inc. Revolutionary Stains

Deep Penetrating Stains

These are oil-based and penetrate about ½” deep into the wood. These stains don’t tend to flake like the others as there is no surface film created during or after application. However, they do leave behind an oily residue.

Choosing the right stain

Choosing the right stain for your pallet project is essential if you want the finished project to make the “wow” effect. Selecting stains is not just about picking a color you like from the color chart – a light brown stain might look pinkish if you use it on redwood! So be sure to test the stain on a sample pallet or inconspicuous area before applying it all over your project.

By the way, here are the primary “natural colors” you can find:

You’ll also have to ensure that the stain you choose is compatible with the wood and other finishing products. A stain compatible with wood preservatives, sealants, and top finish will allow greater bonding and keep the finished project intact for years to come. But some of you may not want the warm honey tones that pallets have, and I must admit that I often prefer soft whites, grays, etc… such as in the pictures below:

For that effect, the “Amy Howard at Home Liming Wax” is usually beautiful for the pallets with a pronounced grain. Otherwise, the one-step paint is something we recommend!

Prep and process

Prepare the Pallet

Preparing the pallet wood before staining it will ensure proper application and a long-lasting stain. Keep these pointers in mind while preparing the pallet wood for staining. If you’re planning to stain your pallet with a dark brown color to create contrast with your all-white closet, you’ll need to sand them first. Remember to sand with the grain to not scratch the surface. Use a tack cloth to remove dust as you sand the pallet wood. If the dust settles in the pores, it can lead to your stain looking uneven and blotchy. Apply a wood conditioner to help the wood absorb stain evenly. Make sure that the wood is completely dry before you begin staining it. Applying stain on humid pallet wood will cause it to flake off. Also, avoid staining on wet days.

While Staining

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Use a light coat first so that you don’t end up staining heavily. If the stain is too light, you can always go for a second coat. The stain that has been sedentary for too long can become thick and lead to uneven application. Keep a compatible thinner handy to reduce viscosity and ensure a smooth application.

Finish with a Top Coat

Wood stains can give your project a vibrant, deep color and highlight the wood’s grain. But stains can’t provide long-term protection to your pallet project! Once you achieve the desired stain, apply a clear topcoat to protect the wood from water damage, scratches, and stains.

There are several finishing options to choose from, and depending on what you wish, you can get varied results. Polyurethane is most commonly used as a topcoat owing to its durability.

Wrapping it up:

Pallet wood has long been used for repurposed projects and is a favorite with DIYers around the world. Working with pallet wood indeed requires some special skills, so if you’re a first-timer, learning the basics before you begin will certainly be helpful.

There’s a lot to this art that includes cutting, sanding, polishing, and more. While staining and finishing projects seem like an easy job, you now know that there are several things to consider before buying a stain and getting on with staining wood.

In the video below, you will see how to stain pallet wood:

With the tips given here, you will undoubtedly be able to go about staining your pallet project the right way. So plan well and get on with the staining, and if you want more tips, you can read our article on the 17 things you need to know before painting pallet wood.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor