That's how I got started Michaela. Make sure you check out my video on Choosing the Right Grade Sandpaper". I did that wrong for many years. You'll save a lot of time and energy. Have fun. Thanx for the positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you for this. I don't have anyone to teach me this stuff so I've been watching tons of videos. This is the first one that actually helped me figure out what to do.
Hey Andrew. You're welcome and welcome to the woodworking fraternity. Most experienced woodworkers are happy to share (in fact its hard to shut most of us up!!). Let me know if there's anything specific you would like to see. It may be my next video. best . . . paul
I've been watching a ~lot~ of vids recently about wood, staining, prep, sanding, more sanding, pre-stain, filler, stains that are varnish, poly finish, acrylic finish, nitro, spray guns... THE bloody WORKS! Your vids Paul are VERY helpful. Extremely helpful. You don't waffle on and waste time, you get straight to the point and speak with experience. And let me tell you, it's awesome, beneficial, refreshing, and excellent. Love your work mate. The Woodworker for the People. Thanks Paul u rock
Paul thank you so much. Having done just a little bit of staining, I can't tell you how much this video has helped me to understand how I've done some things right and some things wrong. Thanks again.
Hi Samantha. Perfect. Suggestion: on the chair legs and spindles try to apply and feather in a horizontal position. It doesn't have to dry in that position but will help avoid runs if you brush it on horizontally. Oh, and be sure to LAY IT ON THIN!! best . . . paul
Holy moly! I've been working on a table turned into a desk for like two straight weeks. I went in knowing very little about stain and finishes, and even less about what I wanted. Every single step was a shot from the hip, and you can imagine how many steps I had to do over repeatedly and how many techniques I had to change. I just watched your polyurethane video and now this one, and I am set to make my desk a work of art!! I thank you beyond words, and my back and hands thank you also, as I'll finally be able to stop messing around and get it done!! Thanks again, and keep it up. Your videos are awesome and you're so incredibly thorough, it really helps beginners like me.
Hey Lena. Thanx for your kind words. I'm blushing right now!! I too learned from experiences and mistakes. Some day they'll be watching your instructional videos! best . . . paul
Its really nice to see you are taking the time to help people out in the comments . Us older guys are trying to keep the arts alive. I have even used cornhole board builds to try to attract the younger to my shop. (:D)
Hey Dennis. It all started 10 years ago when I was reading online product reviews of a new brand of polyurethane. Seems like it was getting trashed because of bubbling. I then went back and read the reviews on my go-to brand and it too was getting trashed for bubbling. That's when I realized it was not the product but the application methods. I did my first video and it has 1.5 million views. It's fun and I'm happy to share what I know. best . . . paul
I am learning a LOT watching your videos. I've never liked the "finishing" process. I like to do the building. So I've somewhat ignored the "finishing" techniques over the years. But I decided I should now perfect my "finishing" and ran across your videos. I really appreciate them!
Hey Kelly. What's to like about finishing? Sanding -yech, staining is a mess and top coats are tedious. Plus who notices the finish; everyone appreciates the structure!! That is unless the finish is bad. Then the whole project looks sub-par and flawed. The truth is if people don't notice but can't wait to touch your work you've scored big. Glad I was a small part of your process. best . . . paul
I just found your channel and already watched three videos. I love how you break things down to use. No other channel seems to do it that well. Thank you!! I'll continue watching tomorrow until I am done. Please keep putting out videos like you did!
Hey Bill. If I give her email address will you repeat those comments to my wife? . After 50 years of marriage the respect factor sorta disappears. LOL. Thanx for the feedback. best . . . paul
Thanks for taking the time to put this together...getting ready to (re)stain some 120-year-old southern yellow pine window casings and I know you've easily saved me some time and frustration, along with helping me achieve a great finished product. PS...I watched your poly video first!
THANK YOU PAUL!! I HAVE WORKED WITH POLYURETHANE ALREADY, BUT, YOU RIGHT, DETAILING TAKES TIME SO, ILL GO AND WATCH YOUR "NO BUBBLES POLYURETHANE" VIDEO! THANK YOU AGAIN, WE ARE SO LUCKY FOR HAVING INFO FROM EXPERTS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! PEACE-CHEERS
Hey TTOLLO. You are entirely welcome. I've been bailed out many times by RUclips Creators. We can accomplish a lot through sharing what we know. Love RUclips!! Thanx for your positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thanks for this. So many titbits of knowledge peppered in along with the core content of the video. Super helpful and educational. I've recently moved into my first house and I've got a lot to learn.
Hey Joe. Congrats on the new home. That's how I learned. Way too expensive to have technicians out all the time. RUclips will become your best friend. Thanx for watching. best . . . paul
Thank you for saying no need to wait for the 2nd coat, even though the manufacturer instructions say to wait. I can NOW do my project , it's been turning out TERRIBLE waiting between coats. I also appreciate your comment against the gel stain, I've had a hard time getting it to look nice.
Hey Nancy. They tell you to wait so the stain carrier will evaporate and the wood's pores can absorb more stain. I've found this to be overkill unless you need or paln to apply more that two coats. best . . . paul
Hi Paul , May I ask you a question lately I’m trying to refinishing my oak-woods stairs but I did made a mistake , when I applied first of stains I forgot to wipe off with dry clothes every 5-10 minutes . Is there anyway can be fix sir ? Thanks love your sir ...
This was so helpful! Thank you so much, you've helped me so much in my restoring journey for a beautiful jewelry box that I've found at the thrift store! I haven't been able to find a video as helpful as yours for the technique of staining the wood
Excellent video! I got lucky that my small, wine bar project is hardwood. Former paratrooper over here. I always seem to be leaping before I look, and always jumping in with both feet. I started my wine bar project BEFORE watching your videos. Now your videos are helping me correct my mistakes, or at least helping me understand what I did wrong for next time. Your videos provide excellent intel (advice) for my next jump (project). These videos are great and I can't wait until I start my next project. Thanks again!
Hey John. Sounds like you're hooked on woodworking. Welcome to the club. Unlike jumping from an airplane we woodworkers learn from our mistakes and their okay to make a few times. I'm here if you need suggestions. And RUclips is here for the things I don't know. best . . . paul
Paul, thank you very much. I just hope that if I ever do anything for 30+ years and someone actually believes that I do it well; I just hope I'm as humble and approachable as yourself. I guess it wouldn't hurt to learn some carpentry basics (readies parachute, packs reserve chute, prays to St. Michael (patron saint of paratroopers...lol.)
man great video,you solved a mystery I've been chasing on my soft wood projects with the conditioner.Im only a year into woodworking and making a little money,you helped me give my customers a better product. Thanks
Loved your video. I have refinished my mother's tables that were needing it and went by this video and it turned out perfect. Now that mom is gone, the tables have more meaning to me and was hoping for the best. Thank you so much for helping us :)
Thanks for such a great video. I recently stained a desk top and it is blotchy. I am not happy with it. I should have watched your video first. So I guess I have to sand the top down again to get rid of the stain, add pre-stain to it and then stain it again. Then I will put some coats of poly on it. I watched your bubble free poly video. It was great! Thanks for all the tips!
Hey Suzanne. Stain mistakes are hard to correct because stain absorbs deeply into the wood. Sanding will take some effort but it can be done. I would only try to sand the stain out if your desk top is solid wood. If it's a veneer you'll probably cut through the surface since most veneers are thin. You might try absorbing some of the stain by soaking with lacquer thinner and wiping or you could try a stripper. This is a tough one, sorry. best . . . paul
Thank you for the great video! I bought an older house last summer and have been doing some updating. I've had to learn a lot of new things! :) One project is replacing the old interior doors, and this weekend I'll be staining the first one, and I feel much more confident after watching your instructions! - Laura
Hey Laura. I too learned by redoing and older home. If you don't do it yourself older homes will break the bank!! Glad to be of a little help n your endeavor. best . . . paul
watched your polyureth vid yesterday. found this vid on accid JUST before I went to go stain the pine I'm using for a project. Thank God! Grateful for the way you explain things methodically--- thank you so much! p.s. super jealous of your workspace there :)
Paul, I’ve watched a few of your videos; I’m applying one at a time as I go. Sanding techniques and information was very helpful. ATM, I’m trying pre-stain and then stain. I’m refinishing an Edo period Japanese cabinet. It’s in pretty rough shape. You can see all the damages and fixes over time, including numerous wood types, soft and hard woods. I’ve got scraps so I’ll be testing each wood type. There are some wood pieces I have no clue whether soft or hard, so careful testing and watching will need to happen. Well, I’m off to start testing. I’ll update later on my adventure and experiences. Your stain video was on target to help me decide on wood conditioner. Thanks again Paul
Hey Mark. Sounds like a challenging project. Be aware that different woods will accept stain differently. A conditioner will help even it out some but you may still get a color variation. I'll be curious so yes, please keep me posted. If you get a chance send me some pics paulsDIY.solutions. Thanx. best . . . paul
paulsDIYsolutions Ok. Dear wife and children of PaulSDIYsolutions, people ❤️ your husband’s/dad’s videos. They’re informative and fun to watch. Just remember, when he’s taping in his garage, he’s helping people! 👏🏻👍🏻
Paul,thanx for all the good tips!I am in the middle of staining my staircase railings and didn't know what I got myself into!!Your vid was awesome so I'm going try to apply your teqnicues and try to make it as easy as you make it look!Thanx again,John in Arizona
Thanx for the positive feedback John. No matter how many times I've done it I always have the same feeling that I'll never do it again somewhere in all my projects. It goes away when its over. It'll be worth it in the end. best . . . paul
What an absolute great series of how to's for prepping, staining, finishing. I must review ALL of these videos., then review them again. I have an oak staircase that needs proper sanding, stainig, finishing, and I pray I don't screw it up, especially the poly coats. I hope to request feedback answers if I stumble. My biggest issue with my oak stairs is the owner did not sand properly to get rid of the mill lines on the risers, so they look like tiger stripes which are hideous, so the entire stair system must be redone. Looks like we're gonna have to sleep on the first floor for several days while I get 'er done.
Hey Lost. Glad to be of some help. Don't worry about screwing up just follow the poly rules and tips. It's really not that complicated someone just has to outline the proper way. Always here for advice so ask away. Just make sure you start at the top and work your way down. Otherwise you'll be sleeping on the second floor. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions Thank you Paul for the humor. I'll make sure I start at the top and work my way down. Honestly Paul, I gotta take a moment, to say your response brought a lump to my throat. To think, that in this day and age that we as people can reach out as I have to you, and get a positive response from a total stranger we have never met before to help us along in our quest to complete a task. This is a great country we live in made up of people like you. God bless you and your family, and happy new year. Respectfully, Philip
Thank you for the best wishes Phillip. Always glad to share what little I know. It's great that a platform like RUclips can bring us closer by sharing knowledge as well as just entertainment.
31 year old woman here doing my first DIY project-staining a mantel! My husband and I bought the house a year ago and I just hate what it looks like now. Finally have courage to change it. Thank you for this video. I liked listening to you. I can tell you’re a great guy.
Hey Bree. 31 is the perfect age to start!! 32 might be too late and 29 is far to young. I got started because our contractor went broke half way through our remodel. NECESSITY is a great teacher. Good luck I'm here if I can be of any help. best . . . paul
paulsDIYsolutions Haha. You’re right. And by the way, my mantel looks great! For a second I felt it was too dark and wondered if you had a video on what to do in that scenario, but now I love it. Thanks!
Its the first day of spring and the crickets in the background gives me goosebumps for summer!!!!! Plus needed the info-we are sanding & staining curly maple. Thought this was an easy job till we started sanding-didn’t like the way it took the stain-so we resanded (from 80-300) and restrained with prestain linseed oil mix, we stained with a weathering stain then Poly, and it looks super awesome and the gorg curls really popped-thanks for reinforcing (to us, new to others) these steps to us!!! Everything you said isn’t just for fun-these steps have to be done in order to have beautiful wood-no matter floors, dressers, etc :). Thanks!!!
Thank you so much. I’m Redoing my mom’s coffee table and it’s my first project so I want to look nice. I couldn’t do without your help. Great video thank you
Your awesome I’ve watch like 3 videos I just moved into old house the house is 100 years old and looking to strip the trim and doors these videos really help me thanks so much
Hey Phillip. That's exactly how I started my woodworking experience. I stripped and refinished kitchen cabinets and moldings in a older home. Hopefully I'll be watching your "How To" videos soon. best . . . paul
Hey Tyler. Welcome to woodworking. It's fun, clean and gratifying. Oh and expensive, but we justify the expense of new tools by the projects we are able to complete (at least what we tell the wives!!). BTW cute little guy in thumbnail. Locks just like dad without the beard of course). best . . . paul
Thank you so much for the videos! I am working on redoing my dad’s dining table. So grateful I saw your video…now to determine if I’m working with hard or soft wood😬
Hey Shannon, If you don't get a definitive answer experiment on the underside. I often do this with clients unsure of stain colors. Only his dog will see the experiments. best . . . paul
I liked your video. You use techniques and products, like pre-stain and tack cloth use I’m used to working with, while I’ve seen others that skip mentioning these which is important when someone hasn’t worked as many projects.
I am about to stain my first piece of furniture and have been looking everywhere for advice on how to stain the vertical sides. Your video told me exactly what I needed to know! Appreciate it!
Of the several videos I have seen on this topic, yours was the best, Paul. Thanks. Very warm, down to earth, kind advice, and practical application for comparison. Looking forward to improvements on my next wood stain project, cheers!
I can't thank you enough for all the videos you have done. I'm very very green with this but am so fascinated by the art of woodworking. I'm in the process of building a workbench for my garage after doing a couple of small closet pieces. It was a huge learning process the first time but thanks to your videos, I feel much more prepared for the workbench project
Hi Paul, It’s Stuart from England. I messaged you back in September regarding the woodwork in my 1973 Rolls Royce. Well I just wanted to let you know that after our message exchange and me watching your video several times over on how to apply polyurethane I have decided to ‘ bite the bullet’ so to speak and began with the restoration of said wood from my car. I’ve followed your advice and instructions as per your video and thus far the results are absolutely amazing. I will endeavour to send you some pictures of what I have achieved so far . I have laid eight coats out of my planned twelve allowing a day between each coat and a light sand between coats. This is my very first attempt at wood finishing ever . For me this has only been possible due entirely to your excellent step by step instructions and the clear way you explain each section of the process. I doubt my pictures will show just how much depth in the finish there is so far and bearing in mind that this finish is straight from the brush. I’m still laying the polyurethane down at the moment so it hasn’t been polished or finished in any way yet. This has proved to me how good your videos are because if a complete novice like me can achieve this level of result as a first timer then anyone can if they listen and watch you pass on your years of experience and knowledge. I thank you so much for sharing your skills in this way. Please look out for the pictures I’m sending to you of the progress so far. All the best for now, Kind regards, Stuart Lee.
Hey Stuart. Thanx for the follow up. Now I can say that Rolls Royce restorers use my technique!!! Glad to hear and glad to be a part of your journey. Look forward to seeing the pics. Thanx Stuart. best . . . paul
Great video! Subscribed! I am going to watch your bubble free polyurethane application video right away. Can't wait to stain my dining table. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.
A terrific and informative video. I recently purchased an unfinished TV console (rubberwood - don't know much about this wood), and want to stain it (light/natural) and protect it with polyurethane. Your videos are tops! So glad I came across them. Thanks Paul.
I watched a couple other video clips before this one & I was very frustrated with them because the audio was terrible or they mumbled & didn't speak clearly and the instruction was very vague & general. I really liked this video because there were a lot of added instruction tips that were very helpful. You are a great teacher & communicator. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your talent. It helped me with staining & applying a low gloss on a old but sturdy table I picked from the streets. Now it sits looking BEAUTIFULLY in my family room. Wish I knew how to share a picture of my finished work. Your video maked it easy & I'm so happy & Thankful.
Thank you so much for making this video! I have read through countless blogs and watched other videos and none were as easy and straight forward as you made it. Thank you! I'm checking out all of your other videos now. :)
Thanks for the tips.. probably the most informative I've seen so far out of about 7 different teachers and about 20-30 tutorials. I'll let you know how things turn out here shortly
Great video. Give you a lot of respect for sharing your knowledge and helping out the younger generations Edit: oh dang, just realized you haven't uploaded in over a year. If you ever see this, you should make more videos if it's something you enjoyed doing. Myself, along with a lot of other people would really appreciate you sharing your knowledge
Thanx Adam. It takes time setting up an editing. Things that are not near as much fun as cutting wood and making saw dust for jobs and projects. But you're right I have a few ideas on the back burner. Thanx for the encouragement and positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you! This has been very informative and I particularly appreciate you actually showing the differences. I'm in the process of refinishing a kitchen table top. Turns out it's actually a pine veneer. I've sanded it as much as I could with the various grits and without getting down to the veneer. I was trying to decide if I needed to use a pre-conditioner. Seems like it would be a pretty good idea.
Hey Mixd. Sorry I answered this but somehow it looks like it didn't go through. There are different grades of pine. Clear pine typically takes stain evenly. While pine that had knots and wavey grain patterns do not. Clear pine is often used in window parts because of it's strength (knotted pine is weak and breaks easily). If unsure a safe call is use a conditioner. best . . . paul
Thank you for a wonderful presentation. Word perfect! Beautifully filmed. You are, in addition to the other talents you are blessed with, a very inspiring teacher.
Thanks for your help and expertise! I am glad to know that as a rule, hardwoods are deciduous and soft wood is usually coniferous or evergreen. I live in Alabama, and I have one exception to this handy rule. Live Oak was one of the hardest woods ever used (picture the huge trees with spanish moss dripping from the boughs.) It made the difference between outstanding naval ships and regular ones. Also, termite proof antebellum homes. Nowadays Live Oaks are extremely protected by law, and there are hefty fines and potential jail time to harvest, trim, or even speak rudely to them. But in the past, American Live Oak (named so for the fact that it stays green year round) was THE lumber of choice for England and its colonies. Thanks again, I have subscribed!
Hey Crossword. Thanks for that. Beautiful tree!! Didn't know it was protected. There are exceptions to every rule. I'm sure there are more trees out there that probably don't comply as well. best . . . paul
I appreciate these videos and the website so much. I'm just starting to learn about wood working (embarking on a project to refinish walnut cabinets that were covered in black lacquer). I've been testing my process on a few doors that we don't need and these videos have addressed each of the places/steps where I wasn't getting great results. Thank you!
Hi Tara. OMG who covers walnut in paint?? Great place to start your journey. Difficult at times but rewarding in the end. No real wood cabinets these days so worth the time and effort of redoing. I'm here if you have other questions or concerns. best . . . paul
I stained my countertops today and it looks just awful... I,ve been searching all over RUclips for information on how l went wrong and how to do it right, and it was all rubbish,,, until now,,,, Your video was exactly what l was looking for,,,, you demonstrated the blotching on softwood, which was where l had gone wrong, and the solution,,,, the pre stain treatment,,, Thank you very much, this was just the help and advice l needed.... Keep up the good work,,,, and first class advice,,,
Hey Thomas. In theory staining is quite easy. In practice there are a few basics that you have to know beforehand. Thanx for the positive feedback. Glad it was of some help. best . . . paul
Appreciate your information! Just restarted my woodworking hobby crafts again after 50 years of professional life! Love the appearance of wood grains! Subscribed also!
Hey Mrs Briggs. One thing I neglected to mention in the video: When you use the pre-stain conditioner flood the surface and let it sit until you notice a dry spot (anywhere). The same technique as applying stain. Wipe off the conditioner and apply your stain immediately while the surface is still damp (but not puddled) with conditioner. Its always best to practice in a non-noticeable area first. best . . . paul
Hey Susan. It's not hard once you have some of the basics. The key before you start is knowing what type wood you are dealing with. Interior doors are classically pine, oak or birch. Each accepts stain differently. best . . . paul
I am getting ready to stain a island top for the cottage made with pine ,so happy I found this video of the steps needed,mostly pre conditioning,I know it will save my disappointment when done , looking forward to your video on urethane,thank you so much for the tips
Hey Doug. Be sure to lay down your stain right after you wipe your conditioner and keep in mind that conditioner retards stain absorption. So color will tend to be lighter. You may want to go a couple shades darker. If you have scrap use it to experiment. Polyurethane is a great finish but a few things to consider about your clear finish choice. I suggest you also spend a few extra minutes and watch my video "Clear Wood Finish Choices - Refinishing Furniture". ruclips.net/video/BsXveKx7kR8/видео.html I'm here if you have additonal questions. Let me know how everything turns out, please. Always like to hear. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions thank you Paul for the link on finishing ,I think I'm going with 50/50 wipe on poly ,I will let you know how everything turns out ,thanks again
Thanx John. I taught in a private school for awhile but adult level classes. I remember what I did to my high school teachers and I wouldn't put up with kids like me. Thank you for your service!! best . . . paul
Very helpful, thank you. I am going to tackle my kitchen cabinets with stain. Big project but looking forward to it. I will be viewing the Bubble Free video too.
Hey Laura. My very first woodworking project as a newlywed was stripping and staining our kitchen cabinets! You can do it. I'll probably be watching your RUclips vids next year!! best . . . paul
i watched both of your videos, full of good info thank you im getting ready to start my first wood project and as usual i go all out n jump in feet first doing all new cabinets in kitchen your videos have greatly helped me to understand. again i thank you
Hey John. Stripping and refinishing my kitchen cabinets 40 years ago was my first wood project!! It's always best to experiment on the inside of cabinet walls and then the inside of doors before going to the outside. There is a small learning curve but once you get the hang of it you'll be on cruise control. I'm here if you get stuck. Just let me know. best . . . paul
just cheap oak cabinets from local home improvement store going in house we will make rental property later so not wanting to spend a whole lot but want it to be as nice as can while were here after your videos im confident it will turn out ok ive already practiced a bit on some scrap oak and and looks good but seems like ebony is hard to get the desired dark look im going for, im using Varathane ebony stain goes on good n dries fast just seem to have more brown showing through than i was imagining
Cool. Oak finishes nice. Varathane has some sort of prestain conditioner built in so it stains lighter than minwax. I would do a light sanding with a 180 grit before staining and a very light and fast sanding with a 220 girt after staining to remove the grain raise form the stain. Use caution when sanding around the edges as the tendency is to remove the stain there. Be careful with the poly. Make sure you have a good brush for that and put it on thin. Heavy coats on vertical surfaces run. Good luck let me know how it turns out.
This was super helpful because I am making a Live Edge Pine Coffee Table and I bought stain and polyurethane but I wasn't sure if I should buy the pre-stain, but from your video it truly makes a difference so thank you for helping me decide! 👍
Awesome video! Staining pine is usually pretty frustrating but I tried using pre stain conditioner and it turned out amazing. Thank you so much, this was really informative
Very informative. You are a great teacher. We have a big project coming up and this video will certainly help my wife and I to complete it without issues. Thanks!
Hey Nicholas. Glad to be of assistance. Once done with staining I have 3 videos on polyurethane application. Be sure to check them out. best . . . paul
Nice Tony. Always good to be done!! Now just sit back, observe once daily, tell yourself "I'm the MAN" while patting yourself on your back until the next project begins. That's my routine and I follow it religiously. best . . . paul
Thank you--you make everything so clear. Thank you for mentioning your "Bubble-free polyurethane" video--I will definitely watch it. This is my first project!!
Going to do my first staining project this weekend and your video was extremely helpful. Definitely going to use the pre-stain conditioner first before staining my porch columns. Thank you
Hey Donna. You're always safe with conditioner. Just remember the conditioner will retard some stain absorption so it will come out lighter. Thanx for your feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you for the great tips, especially demonstrating the differences on the samples, you are a true craftsman and I appreciate all the details. My husband created an island for my kitchen and now I must tackle my first staining project ever. Your video has given me the confidence to approach this task, I hope it turns out well. I am going to check out your poly vid next. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!!
Hi Linda. I try to respond to everyone's comments and somehow missed yours, so I apologize for that. If you haven't started already I always suggest finding a hidden area or scrap piece to practice on. I have all the confidence in the world that you will be fine. Take you time and follow the simple steps. Thank you for your kind words. Let me know if I can address any other finishing questions. best . . . paul
Thank you Paul, I have not started yet but I have been practicing on the scrap pieces and now I am having trouble getting close to matching the stain with the existing cabinets. I had originally planned to use a grey but I didn't like the color, so I decided to try to come as close as I can. The kitchen cabinets are finished with an M01 chocolate maple glaze on J&K cabinets, I can't seem to find this color in a stain, perhaps its a custom mix for the cabinetmaker? I'm guessing the J&K cabinets wood is maple. The island I am going to stain is oak. I have tried a few different stain colors and I think maybe it is a redwood stain but I'm not sure what the glaze is. Trips back and forth for more stain is a pain, LOL. If you have any advice, I would certainly appreciate it. :)
Hey Linda. Yep understand completely. Amazon sells a finishers color wheel that brings you pretty darn close. Matching is tough though because colors deepen or fade with age and each wood takes stain differently plus each wood has its own unique color tones. Why not take a sample to you local paint store with a piece of scrap wood and see if they can help you? best . . . paul
![Oasis - Oasis Live '25 [Official Trailer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gol_JnuEtKM/mqdefault.jpg)
In the first 10 seconds I knew this guy meant business and he knows his stuff.
Thanx Armor. Can you tell that to my wife? LOL
Because he said his name is Paul and he's a woodworker?
Wow, you're easily impressed by simple words. You must be MAGA.
For me it was in the first two brush strokes with that foam brush, you knew he's done it thousands of time 😄
I've bee trying to teach myself about refinishing furniture, and this is the best tutorial so far! very informative. love it
That's how I got started Michaela. Make sure you check out my video on Choosing the Right Grade Sandpaper". I did that wrong for many years. You'll save a lot of time and energy. Have fun. Thanx for the positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you for this. I don't have anyone to teach me this stuff so I've been watching tons of videos. This is the first one that actually helped me figure out what to do.
Hey Andrew. You're welcome and welcome to the woodworking fraternity. Most experienced woodworkers are happy to share (in fact its hard to shut most of us up!!). Let me know if there's anything specific you would like to see. It may be my next video. best . . . paul
I've been watching a ~lot~ of vids recently about wood, staining, prep, sanding, more sanding, pre-stain, filler, stains that are varnish, poly finish, acrylic finish, nitro, spray guns... THE bloody WORKS! Your vids Paul are VERY helpful. Extremely helpful. You don't waffle on and waste time, you get straight to the point and speak with experience. And let me tell you, it's awesome, beneficial, refreshing, and excellent. Love your work mate. The Woodworker for the People. Thanks Paul u rock
Thanx for the kind words. Here's one back at you. I love your RUclips name MASTER BEERNUTS!! best . . . paul
Paul thank you so much. Having done just a little bit of staining, I can't tell you how much this video has helped me to understand how I've done some things right and some things wrong. Thanks again.
Hey Carl. It's the few things we do RIGHT THINGS that keep us going. best . . . paul
Perfect video to answer every question I had before refinishing my dining room set. Thanks for making this video!
PS I'm subscribing!
Hi Samantha. Perfect. Suggestion: on the chair legs and spindles try to apply and feather in a horizontal position. It doesn't have to dry in that position but will help avoid runs if you brush it on horizontally. Oh, and be sure to LAY IT ON THIN!! best . . . paul
Holy moly! I've been working on a table turned into a desk for like two straight weeks. I went in knowing very little about stain and finishes, and even less about what I wanted. Every single step was a shot from the hip, and you can imagine how many steps I had to do over repeatedly and how many techniques I had to change. I just watched your polyurethane video and now this one, and I am set to make my desk a work of art!! I thank you beyond words, and my back and hands thank you also, as I'll finally be able to stop messing around and get it done!! Thanks again, and keep it up. Your videos are awesome and you're so incredibly thorough, it really helps beginners like me.
Hey Lena. Thanx for your kind words. I'm blushing right now!! I too learned from experiences and mistakes. Some day they'll be watching your instructional videos! best . . . paul
Its really nice to see you are taking the time to help people out in the comments . Us older guys are trying to keep the arts alive. I have even used cornhole board builds to try to attract the younger to my shop. (:D)
Hey Dennis. It all started 10 years ago when I was reading online product reviews of a new brand of polyurethane. Seems like it was getting trashed because of bubbling. I then went back and read the reviews on my go-to brand and it too was getting trashed for bubbling. That's when I realized it was not the product but the application methods. I did my first video and it has 1.5 million views. It's fun and I'm happy to share what I know. best . . . paul
I am learning a LOT watching your videos. I've never liked the "finishing" process. I like to do the building. So I've somewhat ignored the "finishing" techniques over the years. But I decided I should now perfect my "finishing" and ran across your videos. I really appreciate them!
Hey Kelly. What's to like about finishing? Sanding -yech, staining is a mess and top coats are tedious. Plus who notices the finish; everyone appreciates the structure!! That is unless the finish is bad. Then the whole project looks sub-par and flawed. The truth is if people don't notice but can't wait to touch your work you've scored big. Glad I was a small part of your process. best . . . paul
I just found your channel and already watched three videos. I love how you break things down to use. No other channel seems to do it that well. Thank you!! I'll continue watching tomorrow until I am done. Please keep putting out videos like you did!
Thanx DIY. Appreciate you watching and your feedback. best . . . paul
Watching this 6 years since publishing and it's still the best video on the topic
Thanx Cascade. Woodwork finishing hasn't changed much in 40-50 years. Thank God (I'm getting too old to relearn). best . . . paul
I like this guy,,he responds to every question/ comment and has enough integrity to admit if he doesn't know the answer .
Hey Bill. If I give her email address will you repeat those comments to my wife? . After 50 years of marriage the respect factor sorta disappears. LOL. Thanx for the feedback. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions hahaha,,ok
Thanx Bill we gotta stick together!!
Paul!! You're the man, my kitchen cabinets wouldn't have come out nearly as nice if I hadn't seen your videos. Thank you!!
Hey Richard. Glad you nailed it. Happy to be of help. Its great to share. I love RUclips, I learned so much from others. best . . . paul
very informative, watched a dozen and yours stands out big time, keep these videos coming. I love the comments that pop up, very useful
Thanx M.
Thanks for taking the time to put this together...getting ready to (re)stain some 120-year-old southern yellow pine window casings and I know you've easily saved me some time and frustration, along with helping me achieve a great finished product. PS...I watched your poly video first!
Hey Josh. Happy to help. Pine is a wood that should be conditioned first. best . . . paul
THANK YOU PAUL!! I HAVE WORKED WITH POLYURETHANE ALREADY, BUT, YOU RIGHT, DETAILING TAKES TIME SO, ILL GO AND WATCH YOUR "NO BUBBLES POLYURETHANE" VIDEO! THANK YOU AGAIN, WE ARE SO LUCKY FOR HAVING INFO FROM EXPERTS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! PEACE-CHEERS
Hey TTOLLO. You are entirely welcome. I've been bailed out many times by RUclips Creators. We can accomplish a lot through sharing what we know. Love RUclips!! Thanx for your positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thanks for this. So many titbits of knowledge peppered in along with the core content of the video. Super helpful and educational. I've recently moved into my first house and I've got a lot to learn.
Hey Joe. Congrats on the new home. That's how I learned. Way too expensive to have technicians out all the time. RUclips will become your best friend. Thanx for watching. best . . . paul
Thank you for saying no need to wait for the 2nd coat, even though the manufacturer instructions say to wait. I can NOW do my project , it's been turning out TERRIBLE waiting between coats. I also appreciate your comment against the gel stain, I've had a hard time getting it to look nice.
Hey Nancy. They tell you to wait so the stain carrier will evaporate and the wood's pores can absorb more stain. I've found this to be overkill unless you need or paln to apply more that two coats. best . . . paul
The demonstration is really worth the
millions
Thank you Hamish. best . . . paul
GREAT TIP: For NEW wood applying Pre stain Conditioner....
THANK's Paul.
Thanx rumberOn2 appreciate your input
Hi Paul , May I ask you a question lately I’m trying to refinishing my oak-woods stairs but I did made a mistake , when I applied first of stains I forgot to wipe off with dry clothes every 5-10 minutes . Is there anyway can be fix sir ? Thanks love your sir ...
This was so helpful! Thank you so much, you've helped me so much in my restoring journey for a beautiful jewelry box that I've found at the thrift store! I haven't been able to find a video as helpful as yours for the technique of staining the wood
Thanx Rosie. Sounds like a good find and worthwhile project. Glad to be a part of the restoration!! Happy New Year. best . . . paul
One of the best wood staining videos on RUclips and very informative. Thank you
Thanx noo one. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
Excellent video! I got lucky that my small, wine bar project is hardwood. Former paratrooper over here. I always seem to be leaping before I look, and always jumping in with both feet. I started my wine bar project BEFORE watching your videos. Now your videos are helping me correct my mistakes, or at least helping me understand what I did wrong for next time. Your videos provide excellent intel (advice) for my next jump (project). These videos are great and I can't wait until I start my next project. Thanks again!
Hey John. Sounds like you're hooked on woodworking. Welcome to the club. Unlike jumping from an airplane we woodworkers learn from our mistakes and their okay to make a few times. I'm here if you need suggestions. And RUclips is here for the things I don't know. best . . . paul
Paul, thank you very much. I just hope that if I ever do anything for 30+ years and someone actually believes that I do it well; I just hope I'm as humble and approachable as yourself. I guess it wouldn't hurt to learn some carpentry basics (readies parachute, packs reserve chute, prays to St. Michael (patron saint of paratroopers...lol.)
man great video,you solved a mystery I've been chasing on my soft wood projects with the conditioner.Im only a year into woodworking and making a little money,you helped me give my customers a better product. Thanks
Welcome Chad. RUclips is the greatest invention ever. It's helped me solve so many dilemmas over the years.
best . . paul
As a beginner I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your tips. Very helpful and informative.
Hey Robin. Your positive feedback is all the thanx I need. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
Almost 4 years later and your video is still helping people! Thanks a lot!
Hey FireM. Not much changes in wood working, Thank God!! Thanx for your positive feedback. best . . . paul
Loved your video. I have refinished my mother's tables that were needing it and went by this video and it turned out perfect. Now that mom is gone, the tables have more meaning to me and was hoping for the best. Thank you so much for helping us :)
Jason so sorry about your mom. Hope your mom got to see your work. Glad to be a little part of this great story. best . . . paul
just beginning my woodworking carrier, enjoyed this at 57yrs.
Hey Chuindovo. 57 or 77 it's never too late. Have fun. best . . . paul
thanks
Thanks for such a great video. I recently stained a desk top and it is blotchy. I am not happy with it. I should have watched your video first. So I guess I have to sand the top down again to get rid of the stain, add pre-stain to it and then stain it again. Then I will put some coats of poly on it. I watched your bubble free poly video. It was great! Thanks for all the tips!
Hey Suzanne. Stain mistakes are hard to correct because stain absorbs deeply into the wood. Sanding will take some effort but it can be done. I would only try to sand the stain out if your desk top is solid wood. If it's a veneer you'll probably cut through the surface since most veneers are thin. You might try absorbing some of the stain by soaking with lacquer thinner and wiping or you could try a stripper. This is a tough one, sorry. best . . . paul
Thank you for the great video! I bought an older house last summer and have been doing some updating. I've had to learn a lot of new things! :) One project is replacing the old interior doors, and this weekend I'll be staining the first one, and I feel much more confident after watching your instructions! - Laura
Hey Laura. I too learned by redoing and older home. If you don't do it yourself older homes will break the bank!! Glad to be of a little help n your endeavor. best . . . paul
watched your polyureth vid yesterday. found this vid on accid JUST before I went to go stain the pine I'm using for a project. Thank God! Grateful for the way you explain things methodically--- thank you so much! p.s. super jealous of your workspace there :)
Ur Welcome Tutoring. Glad to be of help. best . . . paul
Paul, I’ve watched a few of your videos; I’m applying one at a time as I go. Sanding techniques and information was very helpful. ATM, I’m trying pre-stain and then stain. I’m refinishing an Edo period Japanese cabinet. It’s in pretty rough shape. You can see all the damages and fixes over time, including numerous wood types, soft and hard woods. I’ve got scraps so I’ll be testing each wood type. There are some wood pieces I have no clue whether soft or hard, so careful testing and watching will need to happen. Well, I’m off to start testing. I’ll update later on my adventure and experiences. Your stain video was on target to help me decide on wood conditioner. Thanks again Paul
Hey Mark. Sounds like a challenging project. Be aware that different woods will accept stain differently. A conditioner will help even it out some but you may still get a color variation. I'll be curious so yes, please keep me posted. If you get a chance send me some pics paulsDIY.solutions. Thanx. best . . . paul
No, you’re not boring. Informational, yes! Thank you!
Hi Emma. Thanx would you tell that to my wife and children!! best . . . paul
paulsDIYsolutions Ok. Dear wife and children of PaulSDIYsolutions, people ❤️ your husband’s/dad’s videos. They’re informative and fun to watch. Just remember, when he’s taping in his garage, he’s helping people! 👏🏻👍🏻
LOL. Thanx Emma. I'll relay your comments!!
Paul,thanx for all the good tips!I am in the middle of staining my staircase railings and didn't know what I got myself into!!Your vid was awesome so I'm going try to apply your teqnicues and try to make it as easy as you make it look!Thanx again,John in Arizona
Thanx for the positive feedback John. No matter how many times I've done it I always have the same feeling that I'll never do it again somewhere in all my projects. It goes away when its over. It'll be worth it in the end. best . . . paul
Refinishing an old family desk, thank you for all the stain help. After sanding I really needed information. This was it.
Hi Joanne. Glad to of some help. Thanx for your feedback. best . . . paul
What an absolute great series of how to's for prepping, staining, finishing. I must review ALL of these videos., then review them again. I have an oak staircase that needs proper sanding, stainig, finishing, and I pray I don't screw it up, especially the poly coats. I hope to request feedback answers if I stumble. My biggest issue with my oak stairs is the owner did not sand properly to get rid of the mill lines on the risers, so they look like tiger stripes which are hideous, so the entire stair system must be redone. Looks like we're gonna have to sleep on the first floor for several days while I get 'er done.
Hey Lost. Glad to be of some help. Don't worry about screwing up just follow the poly rules and tips. It's really not that complicated someone just has to outline the proper way. Always here for advice so ask away. Just make sure you start at the top and work your way down. Otherwise you'll be sleeping on the second floor. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions Thank you Paul for the humor. I'll make sure I start at the top and work my way down. Honestly Paul, I gotta take a moment, to say your response brought a lump to my throat. To think, that in this day and age that we as people can reach out as I have to you, and get a positive response from a total stranger we have never met before to help us along in our quest to complete a task. This is a great country we live in made up of people like you. God bless you and your family, and happy new year.
Respectfully,
Philip
Thank you for the best wishes Phillip. Always glad to share what little I know. It's great that a platform like RUclips can bring us closer by sharing knowledge as well as just entertainment.
31 year old woman here doing my first DIY project-staining a mantel! My husband and I bought the house a year ago and I just hate what it looks like now. Finally have courage to change it. Thank you for this video. I liked listening to you. I can tell you’re a great guy.
Hey Bree. 31 is the perfect age to start!! 32 might be too late and 29 is far to young. I got started because our contractor went broke half way through our remodel. NECESSITY is a great teacher. Good luck I'm here if I can be of any help. best . . . paul
paulsDIYsolutions Haha. You’re right. And by the way, my mantel looks great! For a second I felt it was too dark and wondered if you had a video on what to do in that scenario, but now I love it. Thanks!
@@brees.661 Ur welcome Bree.
Its the first day of spring and the crickets in the background gives me goosebumps for summer!!!!! Plus needed the info-we are sanding & staining curly maple. Thought this was an easy job till we started sanding-didn’t like the way it took the stain-so we resanded (from 80-300) and restrained with prestain linseed oil mix, we stained with a weathering stain then Poly, and it looks super awesome and the gorg curls really popped-thanks for reinforcing (to us, new to others) these steps to us!!! Everything you said isn’t just for fun-these steps have to be done in order to have beautiful wood-no matter floors, dressers, etc :). Thanks!!!
My pleasure Jenni. Glad to be of some help. Thanx for the feedbak. best . . . paul
Thank you so much. I’m Redoing my mom’s coffee table and it’s my first project so I want to look nice. I couldn’t do without your help. Great video thank you
Nice daughter Pamela!! Glad to be a little part of the journey. best . . . paul
I appreciate the way you teach the technique. You stick to the process and very clearly explain why and how.
Hey BA. Thanx appreciate the feedback. Always glad to be a part of the woodworking journey. best . . . paul
Your awesome I’ve watch like 3 videos I just moved into old house the house is 100 years old and looking to strip the trim and doors these videos really help me thanks so much
Hey Phillip. That's exactly how I started my woodworking experience. I stripped and refinished kitchen cabinets and moldings in a older home. Hopefully I'll be watching your "How To" videos soon. best . . . paul
Great info! Just starting in the art of wood working and I know I'll be staining this table. Thanks!
Hey Tyler. Welcome to woodworking. It's fun, clean and gratifying. Oh and expensive, but we justify the expense of new tools by the projects we are able to complete (at least what we tell the wives!!). BTW cute little guy in thumbnail. Locks just like dad without the beard of course). best . . . paul
I'm new to woodworking and just made my first cabinet. This video was amazing. Thank you! I loved the tips you provided.
Hey Carl . Welcome to the woodworking world. It's a stimulating, challenging and rewarding place to be!! Thanx for the feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you so much for the videos! I am working on redoing my dad’s dining table. So grateful I saw your video…now to determine if I’m working with hard or soft wood😬
Hey Shannon, If you don't get a definitive answer experiment on the underside. I often do this with clients unsure of stain colors. Only his dog will see the experiments. best . . . paul
That’s a great idea! It made me giggle too🤭 Thanks!
I liked your video. You use techniques and products, like pre-stain and tack cloth use I’m used to working with, while I’ve seen others that skip mentioning these which is important when someone hasn’t worked as many projects.
Thanx Patricia. You're right about skipping important steps. They're important. best . . . paul
I am about to stain my first piece of furniture and have been looking everywhere for advice on how to stain the vertical sides. Your video told me exactly what I needed to know! Appreciate it!
Hey Chutch. You're welcome. Glad to be a small part of your woodworking journey. best . . . paul
Of the several videos I have seen on this topic, yours was the best, Paul. Thanks. Very warm, down to earth, kind advice, and practical application for comparison. Looking forward to improvements on my next wood stain project, cheers!
Thanx Manzensha. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
I can't thank you enough for all the videos you have done. I'm very very green with this but am so fascinated by the art of woodworking. I'm in the process of building a workbench for my garage after doing a couple of small closet pieces. It was a huge learning process the first time but thanks to your videos, I feel much more prepared for the workbench project
Hey Chris. You are very welcome. And welcome to the club. I had a great and very patient mentor, so giving back is a privilege. best . . . paul
this was the best woodworking video i've seen on youtube
Hey Bobby. WOW!! thank you. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
Nice video Paul! Thanks for taking the time to share with us!
Thanx for the feedback madtexman. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
Hi Paul,
It’s Stuart from England.
I messaged you back in September regarding the woodwork in my 1973 Rolls Royce.
Well I just wanted to let you know that after our message exchange and me watching your video several times over on how to apply polyurethane I have decided to ‘ bite the bullet’ so to speak and began with the restoration of said wood from my car.
I’ve followed your advice and instructions as per your video and thus far the results are absolutely amazing. I will endeavour to send you some pictures of what I have achieved so far . I have laid eight coats out of my planned twelve allowing a day between each coat and a light sand between coats.
This is my very first attempt at wood finishing ever .
For me this has only been possible due entirely to your excellent step by step instructions and the clear way you explain each section of the process.
I doubt my pictures will show just how much depth in the finish there is so far and bearing in mind that this finish is straight from the brush. I’m still laying the polyurethane down at the moment so it hasn’t been polished or finished in any way yet.
This has proved to me how good your videos are because if a complete novice like me can achieve this level of result as a first timer then anyone can if they listen and watch you pass on your years of experience and knowledge.
I thank you so much for sharing your skills in this way.
Please look out for the pictures I’m sending to you of the progress so far.
All the best for now,
Kind regards,
Stuart Lee.
Hey Stuart. Thanx for the follow up. Now I can say that Rolls Royce restorers use my technique!!! Glad to hear and glad to be a part of your journey. Look forward to seeing the pics. Thanx Stuart. best . . . paul
Great video! Subscribed! I am going to watch your bubble free polyurethane application video right away. Can't wait to stain my dining table. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.
Hi myvideo. Good luck, it's really pretty simple once someone lays out the proper guidelines. best . . .paul
A terrific and informative video. I recently purchased an unfinished TV console (rubberwood - don't know much about this wood), and want to stain it (light/natural) and protect it with polyurethane. Your videos are tops! So glad I came across them. Thanks Paul.
Hey Jeana. I've never worked with rubberwood either. best . . . paul
You rock!! This was super helpful especially with the written comments over the video and definitely not boring - thanks!!
Your welcome Katarina. Glad it helped. best . . . paul
I watched a couple other video clips before this one & I was very frustrated with them because the audio was terrible or they mumbled & didn't speak clearly and the instruction was very vague & general. I really liked this video because there were a lot of added instruction tips that were very helpful. You are a great teacher & communicator. Thank you!
Thanks so much Petra8. Could you share those comments with my wife. She doesn't believe anything I say!! LOL best . . . paul
LOL... so funny!
paulsDIYsolutions lol thats funny. Don't think you ever win that fight with wife though lol might be a loss cause.
Hey Katherine. Haven't won one yet. Definitely a lost cause!! But fortunately after 48 years I know my place. best . . . paul
Thank you for sharing your talent. It helped me with staining & applying a low gloss on a old but sturdy table I picked from the streets. Now it sits looking BEAUTIFULLY in my family room. Wish I knew how to share a picture of my finished work. Your video maked it easy & I'm so happy & Thankful.
Your are entirely welcome Johanna. I think we're all fundamentally capable just need a little guidance. This is why I love RUclips. best . . . paul
Thank you so much for making this video! I have read through countless blogs and watched other videos and none were as easy and straight forward as you made it. Thank you! I'm checking out all of your other videos now. :)
Hi Lindamarie. Thanx for the positive feedback. Glad to be of help. best . . . paul
Thanks for the tips.. probably the most informative I've seen so far out of about 7 different teachers and about 20-30 tutorials. I'll let you know how things turn out here shortly
Thanx Chris.
Great video. Give you a lot of respect for sharing your knowledge and helping out the younger generations
Edit: oh dang, just realized you haven't uploaded in over a year. If you ever see this, you should make more videos if it's something you enjoyed doing. Myself, along with a lot of other people would really appreciate you sharing your knowledge
Thanx Adam. It takes time setting up an editing. Things that are not near as much fun as cutting wood and making saw dust for jobs and projects. But you're right I have a few ideas on the back burner. Thanx for the encouragement and positive feedback. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions For sure. I'm now subscribed so looking forward to it
Thank you! This has been very informative and I particularly appreciate you actually showing the differences. I'm in the process of refinishing a kitchen table top. Turns out it's actually a pine veneer. I've sanded it as much as I could with the various grits and without getting down to the veneer. I was trying to decide if I needed to use a pre-conditioner. Seems like it would be a pretty good idea.
Hey Mixd. Sorry I answered this but somehow it looks like it didn't go through. There are different grades of pine. Clear pine typically takes stain evenly. While pine that had knots and wavey grain patterns do not. Clear pine is often used in window parts because of it's strength (knotted pine is weak and breaks easily). If unsure a safe call is use a conditioner. best . . . paul
Thank you for a wonderful presentation. Word perfect! Beautifully filmed. You are, in addition to the other talents you are blessed with, a very inspiring teacher.
Hi Ranjit. Thank you for the compliment. Could you tell that to my wife!! Somehow she doesn't feel the same?? LOL best . . . paul
Thanks for your help and expertise! I am glad to know that as a rule, hardwoods are deciduous and soft wood is usually coniferous or evergreen. I live in Alabama, and I have one exception to this handy rule. Live Oak was one of the hardest woods ever used (picture the huge trees with spanish moss dripping from the boughs.) It made the difference between outstanding naval ships and regular ones. Also, termite proof antebellum homes. Nowadays Live Oaks are extremely protected by law, and there are hefty fines and potential jail time to harvest, trim, or even speak rudely to them. But in the past, American Live Oak (named so for the fact that it stays green year round) was THE lumber of choice for England and its colonies. Thanks again, I have subscribed!
Hey Crossword. Thanks for that. Beautiful tree!! Didn't know it was protected. There are exceptions to every rule. I'm sure there are more trees out there that probably don't comply as well. best . . . paul
Thanks dude. Good work. I am about to tackle hardwood flooring.
Ur Welcome Carlis!! best . . . paul
Thanks Paul! you helped me with my little project. I like your style.
Hi Ruth. Glad it helped. Thank you for the positive feedback. best . . . paul
This is the first time I'm seeing Paul and I wish he was my dad!
Hey Ross. I'm available and up for adoption!! Thanx for watching and feedback. best . . . paul
I appreciate these videos and the website so much. I'm just starting to learn about wood working (embarking on a project to refinish walnut cabinets that were covered in black lacquer). I've been testing my process on a few doors that we don't need and these videos have addressed each of the places/steps where I wasn't getting great results. Thank you!
Hi Tara. OMG who covers walnut in paint?? Great place to start your journey. Difficult at times but rewarding in the end. No real wood cabinets these days so worth the time and effort of redoing. I'm here if you have other questions or concerns. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions Thank you!
@@tarahofkens You're welcome Tara, Happy Holidays.
thanks for doing these videos. Just what i need when i needed it.
Glad to be there Bill. best . . . paul
I stained my countertops today and it looks just awful... I,ve been searching all over RUclips for information on how l went wrong and how to do it right, and it was all rubbish,,, until now,,,, Your video was exactly what l was looking for,,,, you demonstrated the blotching on softwood, which was where l had gone wrong, and the solution,,,, the pre stain treatment,,, Thank you very much, this was just the help and advice l needed.... Keep up the good work,,,, and first class advice,,,
Hey Thomas. In theory staining is quite easy. In practice there are a few basics that you have to know beforehand. Thanx for the positive feedback. Glad it was of some help. best . . . paul
Great video Paul, you are a good teacher. I appreciate the attention to details.
Thanx EC.
Appreciate your information! Just restarted my woodworking hobby crafts again after 50 years of professional life! Love the appearance of wood grains! Subscribed also!
Hey Richard. Thanx for watching. Welcome to retirement and welcome back to woodworking! Great hobby. best . . . paul
Thank you! I'm going to be re-doing my end tables and coffee table to re-do my living room, and I appreciate your knowledge.
Your welcome Connie. Redos are always fun. best . . . paul
This was a huge help to me.. refinishing an antique 1920's dresser with soft wood. I was going to use the gel but am now convinced to go another way!!
Hey Mrs Briggs. One thing I neglected to mention in the video: When you use the pre-stain conditioner flood the surface and let it sit until you notice a dry spot (anywhere). The same technique as applying stain. Wipe off the conditioner and apply your stain immediately while the surface is still damp (but not puddled) with conditioner. Its always best to practice in a non-noticeable area first. best . . . paul
Thanks so much! I am refinishing my dining room table and this gives me a bit more confidence.
Happy to be of some help LV. best . . . paul
Thank you! I've never stained before and now want to do an interior door. I'll keep your video handy!!!
Hey Susan. It's not hard once you have some of the basics. The key before you start is knowing what type wood you are dealing with. Interior doors are classically pine, oak or birch. Each accepts stain differently. best . . . paul
best videos by far tons of great information thank you for taking the time to make a quality video
My pleasure Ross. Thanx for the positive feedback. best . . . paul
Thank you so much for sharing! I really appreciate all the extra tips as well!
I'm so happy I found this channel !
Thank YOU!! Really enjoy your videos and you sharing your experience and information! GREAT!
Double thanx Shelly.
Thank you for your professional advice. Very helpful.
I am getting ready to stain a island top for the cottage made with pine ,so happy I found this video of the steps needed,mostly pre conditioning,I know it will save my disappointment when done , looking forward to your video on urethane,thank you so much for the tips
Hey Doug. Be sure to lay down your stain right after you wipe your conditioner and keep in mind that conditioner retards stain absorption. So color will tend to be lighter. You may want to go a couple shades darker. If you have scrap use it to experiment.
Polyurethane is a great finish but a few things to consider about your clear finish choice. I suggest you also spend a few extra minutes and watch my video "Clear Wood Finish Choices - Refinishing Furniture".
ruclips.net/video/BsXveKx7kR8/видео.html
I'm here if you have additonal questions. Let me know how everything turns out, please. Always like to hear. best . . . paul
@@paulsDIYsolutions thank you Paul for the link on finishing ,I think I'm going with 50/50 wipe on poly ,I will let you know how everything turns out ,thanks again
Absolutely great video The screen test reminders are very helpful
Thanx Willie!!
Paul, you're the man. Thanx so much...
Thanx Jaime. Glad to be of some help. best . . . paul
As a teacher of teenagers, I appreciate your approach. You could make it in a high school classroom!
Thanx John. I taught in a private school for awhile but adult level classes. I remember what I did to my high school teachers and I wouldn't put up with kids like me. Thank you for your service!! best . . . paul
Very helpful, thank you. I am going to tackle my kitchen cabinets with stain. Big project but looking forward to it. I will be viewing the Bubble Free video too.
Hey Laura. My very first woodworking project as a newlywed was stripping and staining our kitchen cabinets! You can do it. I'll probably be watching your RUclips vids next year!! best . . . paul
i watched both of your videos, full of good info thank you im getting ready to start my first wood project and as usual i go all out n jump in feet first doing all new cabinets in kitchen your videos have greatly helped me to understand. again i thank you
Hey John. Stripping and refinishing my kitchen cabinets 40 years ago was my first wood project!! It's always best to experiment on the inside of cabinet walls and then the inside of doors before going to the outside. There is a small learning curve but once you get the hang of it you'll be on cruise control. I'm here if you get stuck. Just let me know. best . . . paul
What type of wood are they?
just cheap oak cabinets from local home improvement store going in house we will make rental property later so not wanting to spend a whole lot but want it to be as nice as can while were here after your videos im confident it will turn out ok ive already practiced a bit on some scrap oak and and looks good but seems like ebony is hard to get the desired dark look im going for, im using Varathane ebony stain goes on good n dries fast just seem to have more brown showing through than i was imagining
Cool. Oak finishes nice. Varathane has some sort of prestain conditioner built in so it stains lighter than minwax. I would do a light sanding with a 180 grit before staining and a very light and fast sanding with a 220 girt after staining to remove the grain raise form the stain. Use caution when sanding around the edges as the tendency is to remove the stain there. Be careful with the poly. Make sure you have a good brush for that and put it on thin. Heavy coats on vertical surfaces run. Good luck let me know how it turns out.
will do and thanks for advice its much appreciated
Thank you for taking the time to share such a informative presentation.
This was super helpful because I am making a Live Edge Pine Coffee Table and I bought stain and polyurethane but I wasn't sure if I should buy the pre-stain, but from your video it truly makes a difference so thank you for helping me decide! 👍
You are welcome Lifes. Glad to be of some help. My last few projects have been Live Edge. Learning a lot as I go. best . . . paul
Thank you very much, don't stain that often and it is nice to get expert advice.
You are welcome Charlie. Thanx for the feedback. best . . . paul
Awesome video! Staining pine is usually pretty frustrating but I tried using pre stain conditioner and it turned out amazing. Thank you so much, this was really informative
Hey Saminda. Glad it helped. Thanx for your feedback. best . . . paul
Great Video Going to Stain my window sills next week so this video really helps me to understand staining Thanks Paul
Hey Bob. You're welcome. Glad to be of help. best . . . paul
Paul, this video saved current my project and furthered my understanding of stains. Thank you so much.
Glad to be of some help Patrick. best . . . paul
Very informative. You are a great teacher. We have a big project coming up and this video will certainly help my wife and I to complete it without issues. Thanks!
Hey Nicholas. Glad to be of assistance. Once done with staining I have 3 videos on polyurethane application. Be sure to check them out. best . . . paul
Paul thank you for helping me with my dinning table. Got it done and in the house. Its been a bit but its done. Thank you.
Nice Tony. Always good to be done!! Now just sit back, observe once daily, tell yourself "I'm the MAN" while patting yourself on your back until the next project begins. That's my routine and I follow it religiously. best . . . paul
Learned a lot from this video. Very helpful! Thank you very much Paul 😊
Ur more than welcome farm 47
Paul. Thank you so much foe sharing your expertise with us!!
Ur more than welcome Cathy. best . . . paul
Thank you--you make everything so clear. Thank you for mentioning your "Bubble-free polyurethane" video--I will definitely watch it. This is my first project!!
Thanx Sharon. Good luck, take your time and most importantly have fun. best . . . paul
Going to do my first staining project this weekend and your video was extremely helpful. Definitely going to use the pre-stain conditioner first before staining my porch columns. Thank you
Hey Donna. You're always safe with conditioner. Just remember the conditioner will retard some stain absorption so it will come out lighter. Thanx for your feedback. best . . . paul
Great video. Taught me more then I came looking for. Thank you!!
Glad to be of some help Tooloud. Thanx for the feedback. best . . . paul
Thanks for the easy to understand instruction.
Your welcome Maria. Gald to be of some help. best . . . paul
Thank you for the great tips, especially demonstrating the differences on the samples, you are a true craftsman and I appreciate all the details. My husband created an island for my kitchen and now I must tackle my first staining project ever. Your video has given me the confidence to approach this task, I hope it turns out well. I am going to check out your poly vid next. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!!
Hi Linda. I try to respond to everyone's comments and somehow missed yours, so I apologize for that. If you haven't started already I always suggest finding a hidden area or scrap piece to practice on. I have all the confidence in the world that you will be fine. Take you time and follow the simple steps. Thank you for your kind words. Let me know if I can address any other finishing questions. best . . . paul
Thank you Paul, I have not started yet but I have been practicing on the scrap pieces and now I am having trouble getting close to matching the stain with the existing cabinets. I had originally planned to use a grey but I didn't like the color, so I decided to try to come as close as I can. The kitchen cabinets are finished with an M01 chocolate maple glaze on J&K cabinets, I can't seem to find this color in a stain, perhaps its a custom mix for the cabinetmaker? I'm guessing the J&K cabinets wood is maple. The island I am going to stain is oak. I have tried a few different stain colors and I think maybe it is a redwood stain but I'm not sure what the glaze is. Trips back and forth for more stain is a pain, LOL. If you have any advice, I would certainly appreciate it. :)
Hey Linda. Yep understand completely. Amazon sells a finishers color wheel that brings you pretty darn close. Matching is tough though because colors deepen or fade with age and each wood takes stain differently plus each wood has its own unique color tones. Why not take a sample to you local paint store with a piece of scrap wood and see if they can help you? best . . . paul