Back To The Family Handyman
Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Test Stains, Thoroughly!
Click image to enlarge.
You can’t rely on those stain samples on display in stores. Actual color varies a lot, depending on the type of wood and how you prepared it for finishing. So save scraps from your project, run them through the same sanding process and use them to test finishes. If you didn’t build the item you’re finishing, run tests on an inconspicuous area—the underside of a table, for example. Test stain on scraps to get the color you want. Leaving excess stain on the wood for longer or shorter periods won’t affect the color much. If it’s a custom color you’re after, you can mix stains of the same brand.
Test Clear Finishes, Too
Water-based polyurethane affects the color only slightly.
Oil-based poly has an amber tone that can dramatically change the color of
stained or unstained wood. The same stain was used on the samples
shown.
Use a Pad on Large Areas
Apply water-based polyurethane to large surfaces fast by
using a paint pad. Water-based poly dries quickly and may not allow enough
“wet” time for brushing out big areas.
Advertisement 
