Hey everyone! I'm pretty clueless when it comes to DIY projects, but I'm trying to build a cross for my wedding this Saturday. I've used two 8-foot pressure treated 4x6's from Lowe's, and everything's going well so far. Now, I'm wondering about staining it a darker color. I've heard mixed advice on whether to sand it or not. My father-in-law insists that I need to sand it first, but I've read that sanding might not be necessary or even recommended. What should I do? Any guidance would be appreciated!
3 Answers
If it's pressure treated, I'd leave it as is, or maybe do a light hand sanding with the grain wearing a mask. Let it sit in the sun, especially if it’s still wet from the treatment—it should turn a nice golden color. You really want to avoid any reactions between the treatment and stain that could mess up your wedding photos! And congrats on the marriage—what an adventure!
Honestly, I wouldn't sand pressure treated lumber. You might want to try a penetrating oil like Penofin specifically for pressure treated wood. It’s often too wet for other finishes, so you need to let it dry out a bit before applying anything else. Those oils can go on without sanding, and they work great!
It really depends on how polished you want it to look! If you're okay with a rustic vibe, just go ahead and stain it without sanding. It could add some character!
If you really want to sand it, keep it light and then seal the pores with a 50/50 mix of water and glue before staining. It helps prevent that uneven, splotchy look since the wood can absorb stain inconsistently. Just a tip from experience!