Darker-colored furniture is all the rage, but it can be expensive to replace old furniture. Not only that, but you may be attached to the pieces you already have. In these cases, it may be a good idea to stain your wood furniture with black stain.
Black stain is a dark-colored stain transparent enough to let the grains of the wood show through. It is not the same as painting wood, as it has a much more natural look. You can stain your wood black by choosing the right stain, preparing your wood, and applying the stain with the grain.
Want to learn more about the process of staining wood black? Let’s look at the step-by-step instructions as well as some tips for choosing your black wood stain.
Choosing the Best Black Wood Stain to Use
Before you can stain your deck, fence, or any other piece of wood black, you need to choose a black wood stain. The best stain for you will vary depending on the piece you are trying to stain and where it will be placed.
For example, Minwax (on Amazon) is an oil-based stain that comes in black. It only requires a single coat and dries quickly—making it ideal when staining something outdoors in a rainy location. However, you will need to buy a top coat to go with it, so grab a can when you buy your stain.
If you are staining something indoors, then General Finishes (on Amazon) is a better choice. This gel-based stain will give you a better color than an oil-based stain, but it does take several coats to get the job done–making it less than ideal for an outdoor project.
The final brand you will want to look into is Saman (on Amazon), a water-based stain. This stain can be used for indoor or outdoor projects and requires only one coat. In addition, it is environmentally friendly, which is why so many people use it on their fences and decks.
How to Prep the Wood to Stain
Once you pick out a stain, you will likely be eager to apply it to your project. But before you do, there are a few things you need to do to prepare the wood.
No matter where you got your wood, start by lightly sanding off the top layer. This will remove any protective coating that will prevent your stain from reaching the wood.
If your wood has any ornaments, such as drawer handles or knobs, you will want to remove these as well.
Some people additionally choose to condition their wood before they stain it. This can help the wood to soak up less stain, giving you a vibrant color for a fraction of the price. It will also help the black stain to coat the wood more evenly.
How to Stain Wood Black
Ready to stain your wood back? Here are the step-by-step instructions to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Step 1: Prepare Your Area
Staining wood is a messy business. Unless you are staining your entire deck or fence, you will want to spend time preparing the area where you will stain the wood.
It is recommended to place down a drop cloth and cover any nearby furniture that you wouldn’t want stain or sawdust to get on. You may also choose to move the project outside and complete the staining on a tarp.
You will additionally want to ventilate the area by opening windows and doors.
Step 2: Protect Yourself
Wood stain won’t just stain the wood but also your clothes. So put on old clothes you don’t mind ruining or an apron. You may also want to put on gloves and protective eyewear.
Step 3: Prepare the Wood
Once you and your space are protected, it is time to prepare the wood by sanding it and conditioning it if you choose to do so.
Step 4: Apply the Stain
Use a brush or a cloth to apply your stain to the wood. Try to use even strokes and brush in the direction of the wood grain.
Step 5: Remove Excess
After applying the stain, wait 5 minutes, then clear away any extra stain with an old rag.
Step 6: Allow it to Dry
Give the stain time to dry following the directions on the can, and if it dries too light, you can add another layer until you achieve the color you want.
Step 7: Seal the Wood
Once the stain is the color you desire and dry, apply a top coat or sealant on the wood to ensure it will last for years.
Staining Wood vs. Painting it Black
Many people may wonder, as you stain your wood black, why you don’t just paint it black instead. This is for a simple reason black wood stain and black paint are not the same.
Black paint is typically opaque and needs to be applied more thickly to a surface than a stain. Stain is more transparent, even when black, and is meant to show the natural grains of the wood even when applied.
As a result, furniture that is stained black looks more natural than when it is painted black. It will also last much longer than paint will, as a stain does not chip as paint does.
Can You Stain Over Existing Stain?
Sometimes it might be necessary to stain wood that has already been stained. Generally, you can do so if the shade you are staining is darker than the original shade.
You need to be cautious, however, as the stain on the wood will become part of the new color of the wood. You also want to use the same type of stain initially put on the wood(such as water-based etc.)
If you aren’t sure of the original wood stain type, it’s best to try just staining a small corner of the wood before you purchase a bunch of stain to see what it will look like and how it reacts to the stain already present.
Then, if you like the look of the corner of the wood, you can bring out the whole can and start staining!
Final Thoughts on How to Stain Wood Black
Staining wood black is easy as long as you purchase the right stain and prepare your wood correctly before you begin the process. Black stain is naturally dark, but you may need multiple layers depending on how dark you want the wood to look.
This isn’t the same as painting the wood black, so don’t let others try to convince you otherwise. But, overall, staining wood black is a great way to revamp an old piece of wood furniture!