
The Five-Step Guide to Staining Reclaimed Wood
- Step One: Sand Down the Wood Reclaimed wood often has more nicks, protrusions, and scratches than the typical lumber you...
- Step Two: Choose a Stain You Like
What are the best ways to stain reclaimed wood?
Wet the Wood
- Wipe down the wood to raise the grain. If you don't raise the grain now, the stain will raise it later, but re-sanding to get the wood smooth again removes ...
- Let the wood dry, then sand with 180- to 220-grit paper.
- Remove dust with a clean cloth.
How to finish reclaimed wood like a pro?
- Sand the Surface
- Burn the surface
- Apply your Finish
How to stain already stained wood?
Steps to follow
- Prepare a dark coffee Brew a whole pot of coffee, make it as strong as possible to create a dark wood stain. ...
- Sand your wood Use 120-grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface of your wood while the coffee cools down. ...
- Stain your wood
How to properly stain unfinished wood?
- With a staining brush, foam brush or cloth, stroke both ways, with the grain and against it. Don’t stroke sideways. ...
- You can control the shading, to a point, by how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping up the excess. ...
- Try to work in long, even strokes and gradually lift the brush toward the end of each stroke. ...

How do you stain reclaimed barn wood?
0:412:40Staining Reclaimed Wood Shelves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're kind of going for that rustic. Look. And that's okay imperfections and reclaimed wood lookMoreWe're kind of going for that rustic. Look. And that's okay imperfections and reclaimed wood look amazing. So what we do is we take the stain on there with a stain brush. And then we're gonna quickly
How do you finish old reclaimed wood?
Before you turn your reclaimed wood into a repurposed masterpiece, apply a wax or wood finish (polyurethane solutions are best) to the boards. You will likely need to apply two to three coats, waiting half an hour to one hour between each layer.
How do you sand and stain reclaimed wood?
0:436:51How To Finish Reclaimed Wood Like A Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSmoothness. For those of you don't want to fork out 400 bucks for a sand or your next best option isMoreSmoothness. For those of you don't want to fork out 400 bucks for a sand or your next best option is going to be a wire wheel on an angle grinder.
Do you need to seal reclaimed wood?
The last step to clean and refinish your reclaimed wood is to properly seal the wood. I used Minwax Polycrylic Water Based Protective Finish in Clear Satin. You guys, this stuff is AMAZING. Once the wood was dry from its cleaning, I used a regular paint brush and sparingly applied the Minwax finish.
Should you stain Barnwood?
If you are using reclaimed wood for furniture or a similar DIY project, staining the wood is an efficient means of achieving the appearance that you want your reclaimed wood to have. The process of staining reclaimed wood involves a number of steps, of which the actual staining itself is likely the easiest.
How do you finish a reclaimed pine?
Because it's soft, pine benefits from the application of a durable, moisture-resistant product like polyurethane. For the best finish, apply multiple light coats of polyurethane, and buff the entire floor in between coats with a very fine sanding paper, such as 400-microgrit.
Can you stain distressed wood?
Different wood distressing techniques to choose from First, you need to stain the wood with any sun-bleached color stain (like Rustoleum wood stain) and wipe off the excess. Then you add a little brown stain(i.e., Minwax Early American) and wipe it off. You could use a weathered gray as well.
Can you stain weathered wood?
Using clear or translucent stains on weathered wood will result in a splotchy, uneven look. Instead, the best deck stain for weathered wood will have at least some pigment. A semi-transparent stain will impart a little color to the deck wood while still allowing the grain to show through.
How do you stain vintage wood?
1:124:02How to Stain and Finish Wood Furniture | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want a darker color you can leave it on for five with oil based up to 10. Minutes. But now iMoreIf you want a darker color you can leave it on for five with oil based up to 10. Minutes. But now i want to wipe off all that extra stain.
How do you protect reclaimed wood outside?
Outdoor Reclaimed Wood Care An oil finish will help protect your reclaimed wood from water permeation and thus help it retain its vibrancy and shape. You should apply two coats, an initial coat and a sealer coat in order to fully do the job.
How do you waterproof reclaimed wood?
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come.Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish.Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer.Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
How do you preserve old weathered wood?
But, you can bring old wood back to life by using boiled linseed oil and prepare it for a few more decades of service life. Don't let grey, weathered wood convince you to replace it when all it needs is a little TLC. Other than rot or physical damage, boiled linseed oil is a great treatment for old dried out wood.
How do you seal old barn wood?
0:447:36How & When To Seal Reclaimed Barnwood Feature Walls FastYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt with a sealant. And that being well i'll show you right. Now embarrassing works really well we'llMoreIt with a sealant. And that being well i'll show you right. Now embarrassing works really well we'll just we'll spray it on. And we'll sand it we'll see usually two coats that'll be about the most.
How do you finish rough wood?
Boiled linseed oil and polymerized tung oil are two common products for finishing rough lumber. Boiled linseed oil is the least expensive, but it takes longer to dry than tung oil, and doesn't provide the water-resistance of tung oil.
What is the best way to stain wood?
Depend on the pigment of the stain and the grain of the wood, the utensil you use to apply the stain can have a large impact on how it sits on the wood. Fine-tipped brushes and rags are a popular choice for staining, as they are less likely to make an impression.
What is the best way to sand reclaimed wood?
For detail work, a random orbit sander is ideal. It is also a good idea to keep spare scraps of sandpaper of varying grit sizes around for any spot touch up work you might have to do.
Can you stain wood with a lighter stain?
While a lighter stain might suffice if the goal is to leave the color of the wood more or less unaltered, for darker colors like red or grey tones you may need to supplement the stain with a dye. Perfecting the stain’s shading may involve a few days of experimentation with different dyes and stains, but the extra effort will be well worth it.
Do you sand down reclaimed wood before staining?
Before staining the wood, it is crucial to sand down any imperfections to create a surface that is completely smooth to the touch.
Can you stain reclaimed wood?
If you are using reclaimed wood for furniture or a similar DIY project, staining the wood is an efficient means of achieving the appearance that you want your reclaimed wood to have. The process of staining reclaimed wood involves a number of steps, of which the actual staining itself is likely the easiest.
How to clean reclaimed wood?
1. Start with With Giving Your Reclaimed Wood A Good Cleaning. Use a nylon bristle brush and run it all over the reclaimed wood to remove excess dirt, dead bugs , or any other unwanted materials. An air hose is a great way to get rid of smaller particles that might still be clinging to the wood.
Why is it important to finish reclaimed wood?
This step in how to finish reclaimed wood is important for two reasons: First, it makes the wood much safer to work with. Wood beams that are left with nails, screws, and other protrusions risk cutting or puncturing the hands of those working with it. Second, reclaimed wood littered with junk metal is ugly.
How to get crystals off wood after Borax?
If crystals remain on the wood after the Borax dries, use a bristle brush to scrub those off. Be sure to wear a respirator and safety goggles to shield yourself from the harsh chemicals. This is an essential step in how to finish reclaimed wood. 5.
How to protect wood from termites?
To protect the wood from termites and other insects, prime the lumber with a Borax solution. These chemicals will not only keep invaders like termites away but kill any pests remaining on the lumber’s surface. Make sure you have rubber gloves on for this step. Termites can be a nightmare to get rid of if they do manage to access your home; you’d have to call someone like Olathe pest control to exterminate them, so don’t avoid this step whatever you do.
Why is it important to sand wood?
Sanding the wood is an important step for two reasons. First off, it makes it far less likely that the wood will splinter if it’s brushed up against.
How long does it take to strip paint off reclaimed wood?
Once the stripper has soaked in and set (which could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours) you can scrape it off with a paint scraper.
What do you need to do before installing new wood?
There is one last crucial step you need to take before you install your new timber. You need to apply a finish. Getting this part right can make or break your wood design style. So if you’ve never done it before, or want some pro tips, you’re in the right place.
Plan on trial and error
Even with a clear shellac or lacquer topcoat, expect the stock to darken considerably once finish is applied. (See the before and after photos of our chest on the previous page.) So prepare at least half a dozen sample sticks. You can try a different stain on each edge; just be sure to label them.
Keep it off the face
PERFECT BLENDA mix of Puritan Pine and Pecan stains applied over a base coat of knotty-pine dye, with a sprayed-on garnet shellac topcoat, gave us just the right combination of brown and warmth to match the face grain.
Finishing Reclaimed Wood - Prep the Surface
This stage is the first and perhaps the most important step in finishing reclaimed wood -- AKA, this is where you make your money. You’re going to want to remove all of the dirt and grime from the wood. But you do not want to eliminate the saw marks and character. The trick is using the right tool.
FInishing Reclaimed Wood - Sand the Surface
After you remove the heavy dust from your prep stage, its time for the finer stuff. Use your random orbit sander to sand the surface to a nice 220 grit finish. You want the surface to be smooth, but do not press too hard and grind into the wood. The key here is to not discolor the material.
Finishing Reclaimed Wood - Clean the Surface
Simply blow off or vacuum all the particles you can of the surface for a nice consistent clean area to finish. Removing as much dust and debris as possible is key here. You want to make sure you’re not getting little parts and particles in your finish. I use a combo of my air gun and vac.
Finishing Reclaimed Wood – Apply the Finish
For your final step, pick the finish of your choosing and go to work! I like two products: Minwax Poly Acrylic and General Finishes Endurovar. Both have a nice high build and are able to be smoothed out to a high-grade professional finish!
How to clean reclaimed wood before sanding?
Wire Brush. We almost always go over our reclaimed wood with a wire brush before sanding. Not only can this help loosen up any dirt, but it’s a great way to lightly clean up the wood without removing the beautiful patina that made you choose it in the first place.
What to wear when working with reclaimed wood?
When working with reclaimed wood it’s a good idea to wear eye protection, a dust mask, and heavy-duty gloves. And be sure to carefully remove any old nails or fasteners.
How to get rid of bugs in wood?
The two most popular solutions I’ve read about are Bora-Care and Timbor. You spray or “paint” them onto the wood. Bora-Care kills any existing bugs, and prevents future ones, but can get expensive. Timbor doesn’t get rid of bugs currently living in the wood, but it does prevent them moving forward.
What is the best way to clean wood?
If you want to lightly clean the wood, or make it feel smoother, hand sanding is the way to go. Using a palm sander may be too harsh or remove too much of the patina, so hand sanding may be a better place to start.
Can you use a steamer on reclaimed wood?
We generally use our steamer on our reclaimed wood to help sanitize it. This also helps clean up some of the caked-on dirt without completely taking off the patina. The only issue with the steamer is it doesn’t deep clean the wood or remove any bugs that may be living inside, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Is kiln dried wood worth it?
This is why wood that has been kiln-dried is often more expensive than wood being sold as-is. The price may be worth it to you though because kiln-dried wood is basically sanitized through the process, and any bugs or bacteria that may have been living inside of it, will be dead.
Do you need to show all sides of reclaimed wood?
If you don’t need to show all sides of the reclaimed wood, you may want to consider having at least one side milled down. Milling the wood is what generally makes it flat and square, although if you only get one side milled down it will be flat, but doesn’t necessarily make it square.
