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Started By
Message
staining advice
Posted on 9/28/26 at 1:21 pm
Posted on 9/28/26 at 1:21 pm
Hey all! My son asked me to build a cross for his upcoming wedding. I used cedar 4x4's, bleached them to remove the orange tint, have sanded with 150 grit and will be sanding with 220 grit tomorrow.
Any thoughts on whether a wood conditioner is needed prior to applying the stain? The internet seems mixed on this for cedar wood. I will be applying oil based Min-wax stain and then oil based satin polyurethane.
Picture of cross (Pre-bleaching)
Any thoughts on whether a wood conditioner is needed prior to applying the stain? The internet seems mixed on this for cedar wood. I will be applying oil based Min-wax stain and then oil based satin polyurethane.
Picture of cross (Pre-bleaching)
Posted on 9/28/26 at 1:32 pm to muttenstein
Wood conditioners usually help to even out staining but with cedar I don't know how much that would help. I usually practice on some leftover scraps of the same material too.
Posted on 9/28/26 at 1:59 pm to muttenstein
Just about all soft-woods (pine, cedar, fir, spruce) benefit form a prestain conditioner of some sort to help even things out. I think your plan is good if the cross is for mostly interior use. I wouldn't leave it outdoors.
Posted on 9/28/26 at 2:04 pm to BasilFawlty
Yes, interior. Thanks!
Posted on 9/28/26 at 2:08 pm to Clames
quote:
I usually practice on some leftover scraps of the same material
Good advice. I did this with the stain and poly on a scrap and it looks decent. Just trying to save a few bucks before purchasing wood conditioner.
Posted on 9/28/26 at 2:55 pm to muttenstein
"My son asked me to build a cross for his upcoming wedding."
Okay..................
----
You should be ok applying the stain directly.
You could probably use some stain and sealer designed for fences if you find the right color.
Okay..................
----
You should be ok applying the stain directly.
You could probably use some stain and sealer designed for fences if you find the right color.
Posted on 9/28/26 at 3:31 pm to muttenstein
if you sand it too fine the stain may not absorb as much as you'd like. Experiment with scrap wood first
Posted on 9/28/26 at 4:41 pm to muttenstein
Conditioner then stain, wipe off with a rag if looks too dark.
First, level that crosspiece.
Good job, dad.
First, level that crosspiece.
Good job, dad.
This post was edited on 9/28/26 at 4:43 pm
Posted on 9/28/26 at 6:04 pm to muttenstein
quote:
have sanded with 150 grit and will be sanding with 220 grit tomorrow.
I would not sand past 180 grit and would probably stop at 150. Going any further than that will inhibit the stain from soaking into the wood.
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