Pre-stain conditioner can be used on both porous softwoods and hardwoods, no matter the type of wood. Let Pre-stain Conditioner dry 20 minutes but no more than 30 minutes before applying GF water-based stain in ideal conditions: 50-70% humidity, 70°F/20°C. Coffee stains – The coffee stain is an excellent natural stain for lighter woods without turning it too dark, keep it a nice golden caramel colour and help to prevent blotchy wood. To make a coffee stain conditioner for wood simply brew some coffee and apply to your sanded wood surface and seal with your main wood stain. As we mentioned above, all types of porous woods need a pre-stain conditioner if you want to avoid a blotchy stain, there are some more problematic woods however which are worth naming, these woods always need a conditioner before staining.

Step 2: Apply Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner directly onto your surface, ensuring that it is evenly distributed across the entire application area (use of disposable items is recommended). Let sit for about ten minutes. Note: It may take around two hours, depending on humidity levels and temperature. It also helps to improve the color of your wood stain and during application. You can use water-based products on new or processed wood, but you cannot use oil-based products on any type of wood. Best Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner If desired, thin pre-stain with 10-15% General Finishes Extender to maximize flow and level, and increase open time, which is helpful in dry climates.The stain should be allowed to sit for at least five minutes before wiping off. This allows the color to fully penetrate and dry into the wood. I recommend that the stain be applied in a generous amount and then left to sit for around 15 minutes before it is wiped off. If you wipe the stain off too soon, you will get less color penetration and intensity. It’s best to take your time when applying a stain because all of the hard work pays off in the end with a beautiful finish! Softwoods are more likely than hardwoods to become blotchy after applying conditioner since they have a less uniformed pore structure on the inside. If you left your wood conditioner on for too long, you can lightly scuff up the surface with 220 grit sandpaper. Does wood conditioner make stain darker?

The next step is to wait until the surface dries before applying the stain. This gives time for any gaps between the wood and the conditioner to close. It is important that one must not use a stain until this has been done because it can be very difficult for certain stains to adhere properly without proper conditioning of the surface area beforehand. For oil-based wood conditioners you do not need to sand after using them but for water-based conditioners, you should sand since they raise the grain in the wood. Last WordsTest your complete finishing process before starting. The colour of stain is affected by variances in wood and deepened by the application of topcoat. Sanding. If you haven't already, sand your bare wood to at least 180 grit. It's important to sand with the grainand avoid over or under-sanding any one location - good sanding can prevent a lot of blotchiness!