How to Apply Wood Stain

Weatherwash naturally ages wood in minutes!

Just apply aging washes to raw wood and let the weathering wash do the work!

Easy to apply
Quick dry time
Easily layered for darker shades.

Learn how to apply below.

MATERIALS:

Sandpaper
Sponge Brush or Spray Gun
Weatherwash Aging Wood Stain

HOW to apply:
YOU WILL LOVE HOW EASY WEATHERWASH PRODUCTS ARE TO APPLY

SAND

Apply to raw or stripped wood. All wood must be sanded with 60-80 grit sandpaper to open the grain, unless it's rough cut.

Stripped wood must be totally down to the raw.

DRENCH WOOD

Dust off your piece and you're ready to stain. You do not need to use wood moisturizers, beach, or any other wood prep besides sanding.

If you're working on a small project like furniture, cabinetry, etc we recommend using a stiff 2" or 3" sponge brush.

For a large project like a deck, we recommend using a synthetic 3" or 4" brush.

APPLY

Using a brush or sprayer to apply a heavy coat of stain. Wood should be soaked in stain.

Wood should absorb stain evenly.

If stain puddles or pools, use a brush to remove standing stain.

If using spray application, Do not dilute aging washes. Make sure to strain products prior to filling spray gun.
For more on spray application, check out this Instgram post: link.

DRY

Once you apply stains you do not need to wipe them back off! Just allow them to air dry, naturally!

Dry to touch in 10 minutes.
Full dry time approximately 1-2 hours.

OPTIONAL

Re-coat time is one hour. Simply brush on a second coat, to darken stains effects.

LIGHTEN / DARKEN

OPTIONAL- if you'd like to adjust or tone the colors apply Maintenance Oils!

To lighten and create look of patina use WHITE MAINTENANCE OIL to lighten. Also great how highlighting the grain!

To enhance the wood's warm tones or add brown to the color use CLEAR MAINTENANCE OIL

PROTECT

Protect aging washes with any of the Weatherwash brand topcoats. Stained wood will maintain color consistency when using Weatherwash topcoats.

VARNISH: LINK
POLYURETHANE: LINK
EXTERIOR WOOD SEALER: LINK

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Color testing
- Make sure to order a sample and test products on YOUR wood, prior to ordering for the entire job. Our stains react to the tannin in wood so color variation and working up samples should be expected as a part of the color selection process.
Working with reactive stains
- Combining and/or layering aging washes is okay!
- Maintain color purity by pouring only what you need into plastic container before use.
- When buying several containers for one job, pour them into a larger plastic bucket, to avoid batch discrepancies.
Sanding wood to 80 grit & higher
- We want the wood sanded to 80 grit to really open up that wood grain.
- For smoother finish, you can first sand with 80 grit, then 120 prior to staining. After stain dries, finish sand with 320 grit. Then topcoat.
Staining vertical surfaces
- Use a sponge brush for the best color control. Apply full strokes, top to bottom and working right to left or vice versa. More on staining vertical surfaces in this Instagram post: link!
Wood fillers
- Weatherwash will NOT age wood fillers. So wood fillers that can be tinted to match the stained wood are a client favorite! More on wood filler in this Instagram post: link!
Speeding dry times
- Product dry time can be sped up with a heat gun / hair dryer / direct sunlight. But colors may vary or lighten. More on using a hair dryer to speed dry times on this Instagram post: link!

FAQ's

STAINS AND COLORATION

Why does my stain sample look dark?
- Your wood may be higher in tannin that the wood you liked in your project photo or color swatch.
- Other things that affect dark stain color include: wood that's been very-well sanded, textured, or water popped will stain darker, because stain can better penetrate wood.
Why does my stain sample look light?
- Most commonly, clients apply too little stain their first time using washes. Just try again.
- Your wood may be lower in tannin that the wood you liked in your project photo or color swatch.
- Other things that create a light stain color reaction include wood that's has NOT been sanded, or has been sanded above 220 grit, or has been refinished.
Want a darker stain color?
- Try our Clear Maintenance Oil Toner
- You can apply additional coats to achieve darker colors.
- You can pre-sand the wood better.
- You can layer another color.
Want a lighter stain color?
- Try our White Maintenance Oil Toner
- You can apply a lighter coat of stain.
- You can avoid pre-sanding the wood.
- Weatherwash wood stains are water-based and adding water will lighten their tannin reactions.
- When experimenting, always remove stain from the can, making sure to measure the amount. Then measure the amount of water. We start with a tablespoon of stain and water.
Want a browner or warmer color?
- Try our Clear Maintenance Oil Toner
Want to increase the cool tones?
- Try our White Maintenance Oil Toner

WOOD SPECIFICATIONS

Can I use Weatherwash on wood that has already been stained or painted?
- Aging washes will not work on top of wood that has already been stained, painted, or topcoated.
- Wood should be stripped or sanded prior to using our stains. Then it is okay!
Can I use Weatherwash on refinished wood that has been stripped or sanded?
- Aging washes work on refinished wood! Once the first product has been removed- either by stripping wood or sanding it.
- Often we find applying a two coats looks better on wood that's been stripped.
Can I use wood moisturizers?
- Using wood moisturizer should not be necessary if you have sanded the wood. Moisturizers may alter the color of Weatherwash aging wood stains, so always work up a sample.
Can I use wood bleach?
- Using wood bleach will lighten Weatherwash Aging washes and can alter the color tone. Always work up a sample.

Can I use Weatherwash on pressure treated wood?
- You bet! Pressure treating wood will have little to no effect on the color!

PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS

Close lids tightly, lid should make an audible "pop." Air exposure deactivates product.
Do not store or apply when it's below 50 degrees. Please keep product from freezing!
Do not work out of the canister. Tannins can transfer by brush and your stain will slowly change color or deactivate.
Do not store in metal or use with metal paint brushes.
Do not cross-contaminate with other products.

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