Previously my dining table was stained to match the new flooring. Ironically, when I was installing the above stated flooring, I had to put the table outside and it got rained on. The rain warped some of the boards of the table top. For the past few years, I have just lived with the gaps between some of the boards. After staining my new dutch door a dark walnut, I knew I wanted the table top and bench to also be dark to help tie it in. I finally broke down and tackled this DIY project. I decided to use my Super Finish Max sprayer to help the process be a little less stressful. Here is how to stain and seal furniture with a spray gun!
This post is sponsored by HomeRight. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.
How to Stain and Seal Furniture with a Sprayer!
Make Any Needed Repairs
I needed to replace the 3 worst boards. when I built the table top, I assembled it using pocket holes and screws. It was easy to unscrew the warped boards and add in the new. The last board needed to be tapped in with a mallet for a nice, tight fit. If your wood furniture piece has dents or ding, fill them with wood putty. Make sure to use a stainable type of putty.
Sand
I used a belt sander to sand all the way down to the bare wood. A belt sander is the best way to sand it all the way down FAST. This not only strips it of any old stain and sealer, but helped even it out and make it smooth. Just don't sand in one spot too long since it "eat" through the wood faster than a palm sander. Start with a heavy grit like 80 or 100. Then move to a 120 or 150. I like to finish off with a 220 but I hand sand instead of using a sander. Once it has been sanded completely, vacuum up the dust and wipe it down with a damp rag.
Stain with a Sprayer!
I love using a sprayer to stain! Especially for large areas like a fence. I chose a dark walnut stain and filled my airless sprayer up about ⅓ of the way since my table top is not very large. The Super Finish Max has multiple spray tips. For stains and sealers, use the blue spray tip.
I was staining on my grass, but if you are working someplace like a driveway or garage, use drop cloth to protect your work space. Use painter’s tape to cover any parts that are not being stained or sealed to protect from any possible overspray.
Use a scrap piece of cardboard or wood to test the spray. Adjust as needed to get a thin spray that will cover without puddling. Light coats
are best. Spray slowly in even strokes to get uniform coverage. You can adjust the spray pattern on your Super Finish Max. I like to have it flat and vertical for this type of project.
Allow the wood stain to soak in for 10 minutes (or whatever time it states on the can) before wiping off any excess stain . If you want your furniture piece to be darker, allow the stain to dry and add a second coat. Repeat the same steps above.
Applying Sealer with a Sprayer!
Every stained piece of furniture needs a protective coat. There are many types. If you use a water based stain, it is best to use a water based sealer. Just like if you use an oil based stain, you should use an oil based sealer. Oil based sealers will be more durable. I prefer to use a fast drying oil based polyurethane in a satin finish. Oil based sealers tend to have a more yellow tint while waterbased are more of an actual clear coat.
I shared in previous posts (when I made plate charges for Thanksgiving and when I refreshed my front door) how easy it is to use a sprayer to apply sealer to wood. I used polyurethane for my kitchen table using my Super Finish Max as well. Just like when you stain, make sure to wear a mask. Eyewear is also a good idea, especially if you are not outside in a well ventilated area.
I adjusted the spray so very little sealer was coming out. I prefer to do many thin coats as opposed to one thick coat. You will get a much more professional finish if you are patient and apply thin coats.
Using a sprayer means no need to worry about brush strokes!
Sand In Between Coats
In order for each additional layer of sealer to properly adhere to each other, you need to lightly sand in between each thin coat. I use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit). Be careful not to sand too much in one area or too hard or you run the risk of sand through the finish & stain and exposing bare wood again. If that happens, re-stain the area and wait for it to dry before adding more sealer.
The first coat of sealer will sink in and may look uneven. Just like with the first coat of primer or paint, it is okay that it doesn't look perfect. Adding the first coat of sealer may also raise the grain and make the wood feel rough. That is alright too! Sanding helps even and smooth out the first coat.
You do not want to skip the sanding step. I know it is tempting because you just want the project done already. Early on in my staining and sealing experience, I skipped the sanding step my first time, thinking it would be fine. The finish start flaking months later.
I recommend for something that gets light wear and tear to use at least 2 layers of sealer. If it is something that will get lots of wear, add at least 3 layers.
Cleaning Your Sprayer
When cleaning your sprayer after using an oil based product, make sure to use paint thinner, mineral spirits, or brush cleaner. Wear gloves! I have an old bucket that is designated as my clean up bucket. Clean your sprayer thoroughly. Properly dispose of the cleaner according to the instruction on the container. I like to fill the sprayer part way with the cleaner, plug it in, and run the cleaner through the sprayer to make sure all the parts get clean.
The Reveal!
I love how the darker color looks!
The darker color not only ties in the door, but brings out the darker parts of the flooring.
Refinishing furniture takes a bit of elbow grease and time, but it is worth it in the end! Not only can you save a beloved piece of furniture, updating it for you currently taste and style, but you can save so much money. You can stain and seal indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, fences, privacy screens and so much more! Do you have any other tips on how to stain and seal furniture with a sprayer?
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win a Super Finish Max sprayer below using the rafflecopter widget!
You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from April 28, 2022 until May 5, 2022. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case HomeRight.
a Rafflecopter giveawayPIN For Later:
1. Paint the side fence
2. Paint & repair the garage door
I would love to have one to stain my fence with. That would really help out.
I desperately need to stain my fence.
Love the dark color on your table!
Wow! Sounds like everyone has the same idea to paint Or stain a fence. Wood bees keep boring their way into my fence (they can be territorial and nasty) and I read that staining/painting will stop them! I'm sure it would be alot easier spraying it so my fingers are crossed!!
Thank you Stacy for a great site and Super Finish Max Sprayer for the chance ;)
My grandmas old dining room table
I would stain my back fence.
There are oh so many projects I could use the Super Finish Max sprayer for. Staining our fence or porch, painting inside and outside our house, diy projects…thank you for the inspiration and chance to win a sprayer.
I would stain my fence
I honestly would love to make a table! Yours is so pretty! So, I guess I would stain a table top and bench!
We have a huge, horribly ugly wooden fence that needs immediate attention and I would totally love this sprayer!
Ooooooh, I have some outdoor furniture that needs a spruce up. Thanks for the opportunity!
Stacy, I just need you to come do my paint and stain jobs. You make it look so easy! It always takes me DAYS to do anything.
I have a cabinet that was in my parents’ basement, but was my great-grandparents’ piece. It is almost done…this would be JUST what I need to finish the project!
I need this in my life!!! LOL I am about to stain a storage chest that I'm using as a coffee table and later will be staining a whole dresser used as a TV console.
This would make life SOOOO much easier!
Plus a DIY table is on my hunny's do list. HA!
Love your blog. Very informative.
Thanks for the information about sanding the sealer. I didn't know that.
My deck!
Have never tried spray paint (except the canned variety).
I would like to spray my plastic lawn chair...it's looking shabby...too expensive for me right now to replace it.
My front porch...the all my plant stands.
I would spray my deck. Thanks for the opportunity!
I have an old bookcase I'd love to repaint I've wanting one of these sprayers for a while.
I’ve never done wood stain in a sprayer before only paint 🤔 I have an unfinished shelf that I was planning on painting but maybe I’ll stain it!
What an awesome too!. It would be such a help for all my projects I've been putting off.
My front door needs some love. Sure have been ignoring it for a long time, but this sprayer would make it happen. Love the way your table turned out. Very professional.
Actually I would gift this to my grandson who has some thrifted furniture to paint!
The table turned out so beautiful, I would love t learn to do this
I would paint some night stands that I have had for a long time.
I'd paint the bathroom we are building in our house.
Would spray our deck first.
I would love to do my kitchen table first, but I have so many projects I would love to do.
Your table looks great! Blends everythng together so beautifully. How smart to use the sprayer!
Definitely my fence
I have a thrift store table that has great bones and is in need of some love!
farmhouse table
Our fence, 16 years old, definitely needs staining.
I have an end table I would love to work on. thank you so much.