Should I stain or burn wood first? This is one of the questions many people ask when they intend to stain their wood and are unsure which one to do first. Many benefits have been said about burning your wood. So, you should pick burning wood before staining.
The most renowned benefit of wood-burning is that you won’t subject yourself to breathing in harmful gases if you make the mistake of staining before burning the wood.
These released gases are usually harmful to an individual, and you don’t want to subject your body to that. Not only is it harmful to an individual, but it also affects the environment when it is released.
So, We should stain the wood after burning. Not only is the wood able to get a nicer and smoother finish, but it is also suitable for our health.
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Should You Stain or Burn Wood First?
You should burn your wood before applying a stain to it. People prefer to sand their wood before they burn it and later stain it.
Staining is usually the last thing you do in this process because you must sand the wood first, burn it, and then go through the staining process.
Though choosing to sand your wood after burning is up to you. Deciding to sand depends on the texture you want on your wood.
But, it is not compulsory to sand your wood if it is noticed that there are no splinters visible on the wood because the main aim of sanding is to remove uneven areas. Sand lightly because you don’t want to remove your designs while sanding.
When you are through with burning and applying stains on the surface of the wood, there will be excess on the surface. So, clean them off if you want to stop them from getting blotchy.
To complete this process, apply oil or coat to the wood. Doing this will protect your wood while giving it a beautiful look.
Benefits of Burning before Staining Wood
Suppose you are still wondering whether to stain or burn wood first. This section will tell you the advantages of burning your wood after wood staining:
- Pollution is reduced
- It prevents excess burning
Pollution is reduced
We know that you will inhale harmful gases when you stain your wood before burning it. Not only does that happen, but harmful gases are let out into the air and environment.
The air you breathe in will be polluted, which harms your health. So, you should burn before staining your wood because pollution will be curtailed, and you will breathe good air.
It prevents excess burning
A fresh stain, in general, heightens the wood’s flammability, and it can cause excessive burning in the process. You lose your design on the wood. To prevent this from occurring, burn the wood well before you stain it.
How to Stain Your Wood after Burning?
At this point, you are probably done with burning the wood. Now applying stain in a way that will make your wood look beautiful and unique is your goal.
Staining is always the less stressful part; even a beginner can do it just fine. You only need to have your stain ready with a cloth or paper towel for wiping.
With that being noted, below are the tips that will guide you in getting a beautiful look at your wood.
Choose and apply your stain.
Stores have several stains available for you to choose from. So, first, choose the stain you want.
Afterward, take time to apply your stain on the wood evenly. Two minutes later, immediately remove the excess stain. Some people prefer to keep it for a longer time because of the final look they are going for.
So, if a pronounced effect on the wood is your aim, keep it longer than two minutes. But, if a minimal effect is what you prefer, don’t keep it for more than two minutes.
Sand your wood properly.
Considering the design you want, it is recommended you sand your wood lightly after applying and drying your stain.
Lightly sanding your wood helps in removing blotches that had probably occurred and ensures your design is even. It is also necessary to apply a darker stain than you expected. This is why you should go for a lighter stain.
Sanding your wood removes the black chars on your wood, including the splinters that would have been left after burning are removed. Initially, you are expected to take the time to eliminate the splinters before staining your wood.
Safety Tips for You When Burning or Staining Your Wood
Irrespective of whether you stain or burn wood first, applying essential safety tips to keep yourself safe is mandatory:
- Select an open space for burning and staining
- Take the necessary precautions before staining
Firstly, you must consider that you will be burning wood. So, choose a workspace that is open, not closed, and not inside your house or a closed space.
Also, when the day is particularly windy, don’t burn the wood because you don’t want a spread of fire in a way you can’t control. As a precaution, you need to have buckets of water or fire extinguishers near where you’re working.
Secondly, take care of yourself by wearing protective gear. It is easy to get them at a general store close to where you stay. Respiratory masks, fireproof hand gloves, safety glasses, helmets, etc., are some things you need to wear.
Lastly, wet clothing wipes dust or soot on your workstation. If the money is there to get an air compressor to help remove the residue, do it.
Final Thoughts
Wood burning stain before and after gives a different or beautiful final look to the wood. Applying stain on your wood is not mandatory after burning it, but people choose it based on the vibrant final view they aim to get.
So, remember that before you apply any stain on the wood surface, it has to be properly burnt. The stain shouldn’t be applied excessively, but it is up to your discretion, depending on how your wood turns out.
My name is Mark, and I am a software engineer and the founder of OnWoodWorkingArt.
I grew up with a passion for woodworking and now have my woodworking studio with a group of like-minded friends who love to create woodworking. My dream is to have a more extensive workshop and be able to make woodworking my main business.