I’ve been helping out a friend at their brand new condo build and one of the projects on the to-do list is to stain railings and to do it like a pro!! I figured I had stained the top of a dresser before so doing this was a piece of cake. With a little bit of prep, a lot of patience a beautiful new railing got the royal treatment!!
The first step was to protect the carpet and walls where the stain was going to go. So about an hour later and a half roll of painters tape I was ready to lightly sand the entire surface. Now before I move onto the sanding I want to mention that the painters tape, because the pile of the carpet was fairly deep, was essential in keeping the carpet clean. Anywhere that I was going to stain and carpet sits right next to the wood I literally pulled back the carpet and taped it back away from the wood. I added a couple of more layers of tape to ensure I had everything protected.
Now my friend asked the builder to leave it as is, so during construction it got a bit dirty but nothing a light sanding couldn’t get out. The 180 grit sanding sponge got into all the grooves and just enough pressure to scuff up the wood and take off any dirt marks. Even though there wasn’t much dust at all a quick vacuum and wipe off with a tack cloth was in order.
Now to the nervous part especially around all that carpet and freshly painted walls!! I, of course, like to use my Java Gel Stain from General Finishes. After opening it and giving it a good stir I slowly applied it to my Scott shop towels that I use for almost everything! I wanted to keep my shop towel with just a small amount of gel stain and apply it slowly and evenly rubbing it into the wood with the grain of the wood in long strokes.
After the staining, I applied the General Finishes Gel Topcoat for added durability and protection. I did the same application with the topcoat as I did with the stain. Using the Scott towels to dip and spread over the surface in long strokes. And voila! All done for nearly nothing! I think the cost from the builder was going to be around $500!!
I hope this gives you the confidence to do this on your own as well and save a few pennies along the way.
Follow me on Pinterest.
Linking up to:
Tuesdays
Talk of the Town – Knick of Time
The Scoop – Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Your Home Decor and More(monthly) – Casa Watkins
Dream.Dreate.Inspire.Link! – Pocketful of Posies
Wednesdays
Wow Us Wednesdays – Savvy Southern Style
Thursdays
Making Broken Beautiful – The Curator’s Collection
Be Inspired Features and Link Party – Elizabeth and Co. Vintage
Thursday Favorite Things – Reinvented Collections and Co.
Fridays
Weekend Retreat Link Party-AKA Design
Pinbellish – Redo It Yourself Inspirations
Share It One More Time Link Party – Shabbyfufu
Sundays
Sunday Link Party – Finding Silver Pennies
Baba says
Wow absolutely gorgeous! Like I said before, your one in a million!
Studio Paint says
Thank you B!!
You are pretty awesome yourself!!
Talk soon,
Maxine:)
Consignment Showcase says
(y)