Hey everyone! I'm in the process of making a small dining table for a friend, and I've decided to use a laminated pine board for the top due to budget constraints. I know that pine can be pretty soft for a dining table, but that's what we're going with! My question is about staining it: my friend wants a darker finish, but I've heard that staining pine can be a bit tricky. Is there a primer or any kind of preparation I can use to make the staining process easier? Thanks in advance for your help! P.S. Sorry if this question seems underwhelming, just thought I'd throw in a little humor (and a LOTR reference)! Cheers!
4 Answers
Yeah, staining pine is pretty notorious for being a hassle. Just make sure you test everything before going all-in. I made a huge white pine table for my daughter, and she actually preferred leaving the natural color, which was much easier for me! Just a simple water-based finish for the top, and she painted the legs. It turned out great!
Take your time with this. Staining pine darker too quickly can ruin your project. A good alternative is using a glaze, which is a tinted clear coat. It'll give you a more uniform finish, but it's tricky to get right. Just keep in mind that pine will naturally darken over time too, which can affect your final look!
If you can spray the finish, go for a tinted lacquer or polyurethane! It's usually more consistent and less hassle than dealing with a pre-conditioner and stain separately. If spraying isn't an option, consider a gel stain—it could save you a lot of trouble!
Staining pine can definitely be tricky since it often ends up blotchy. I recommend using a pre-stain conditioner; it can help with even absorption, but it doesn't guarantee perfection. Always test your stain on some offcuts first to see how it behaves before you apply it to the table. Also, steer clear of stain + varnish mixes—always keep them separate for the best results.
Thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely give the pre-conditioner a try!