If you don’t have material for a sample, identify the wood type of the piece of furniture you are trying to match and see if you can find anything similar. You can also purchase a wood identification kit.
If you’d like to save a trip to the store, compare your sample to the stains offered online by visiting the Sherwin Williams or Lowe’s website.
Alternatively, you can also purchase multiple stains with the intention of mixing them. This allows you to make a custom wood stain that matches the other stain.
Lacquer offers a high amount of durability, so it’s a great choice for outdoor furniture. For a glossier sheen, you might try Minwax Clear Gloss Lacquer. Minwax Clear Semi-Gloss Lacquer will give you a more subtle sheen. Water-based polyurethane offers similar durability while also being safer for the environment. Since it doesn’t soak into the surface of the wood as much as an oil-based finish, it may lighten the wood stain slightly. Oil-based varnish seeps into the wood, deepening the color of the wood stain and making it appear slightly darker than before.
If you don’t have a test sample, use a hidden part of the furniture to test your wood stain directly. You might try under a table if you’re working with furniture. If you’re staining the floor, try an area that is usually covered. [4] X Research source
Rags that are soaked with wood stain and finish are flammable. Safely store and dispose of the rags by airing each rag out separately or disposing of them at a hazardous waste collection site. [6] X Research source Never leave the soaked rags in a pile.
Keep in mind that the finishing coat will also darken the wood slightly, which may mean you don’t need another layer of wood stain. Keeping the lighting the same is important because fluorescent lighting, incandescent lighting, and natural sunlight bring out different tones in the stain.
Drying times vary depending on the type of finish. After the finishing coat is fully dry (no longer sticky), consider adding another layer to darken the color of the wood slightly. Before applying the second coat of finish, read the instructions on the label to see if the wood needs to be sanded first.
To darken the wood slightly, add another layer of finish once the first layer dries.
Stain undertones include yellow, orange, red, pink, and walnut. To save money during the mixing process, ask to purchase stain samples when you visit a paint or home improvement store.
To make the process easier, use measuring cups to dispense the wood stain so you can keep an accurate record of how much you use.
