How to varnish wood and apply stain

• Filling knife

• Sandpaper (fine to medium grain)

• Paintbrush (synthetic for water-based, natural for oil-based)

• Lint-free cloth or rag

• Steel wool (0000-grade for wax)

• Dust sheets

• Dry brush

• Wood varnish, stain, wax, or oil

• Varnish remover or stripper

• Wood filler

• Safety gloves

• Safety goggles

• Face mask

There are a few main types of varnish for wood. Each has its own benefits.

• Water-based: These varnishes are a fantastic all-purpose choice. They have a low odour and low toxicity, and they also dry much faster than an oil-based varnish. This type works particularly well for indoor wooden furniture and is best applied with a synthetic bristle brush.

• Oil-based: Traditional oil-based varnishes are more durable than water-based alternatives. They cope better with temperature variations. This makes them more suitable for use on exterior wood. They take longer to dry. Always apply these with a natural bristle brush.

• Spray-on: Ideal for DIY beginners, spray varnishes are easy to apply and don’t need to be thinned. They do have strong fumes, so it’s essential to ensure proper ventilation when you’re applying them.

• You can also get clear wood varnish and darker wood varnish to best suit the look you want.

Ensure the room is well-ventilated, as potent fumes can be found in some varnishes. Alternatively, you can apply varnish outdoors on warm days. Remember that varnish dries slower in cool or humid conditions.

Pick a well-lit room, as this will make it easier to cover the wood evenly and spot errors before the varnish dries.

Clean the surrounding area to minimise dust and dirt. Cover nearby furniture with a dust sheet for protection while you sand the wood.

Always wear protective gloves, goggles and a face mask when applying the varnish.

Remove any existing wood varnishes, waxes, oils, or stains with a suitable varnish remover or stripper. Then remove grease, dust, or dirt with a damp cloth or a dry brush. This is exactly how to strip varnish from wood effectively and safely.

Fill any holes with a wood filler that's suitable for varnish. Level it with a filling knife and allow it to dry completely.

Sand the surface with fine or medium-grain sandpaper. Then clean any dust, as this can easily settle on newly varnished wood and spoil the finish.

You should thoroughly and gently stir the varnish before starting. Shaking the tin produces bubbles, making it harder to achieve a smooth finish.

Avoid overloading your brush, as this can lead to an untidy finish. When brushing the edges of the wood, only dip the tip of the brush into the varnish.

Apply the varnish evenly with smooth, light brush strokes, working in the direction of the grain.

For the best finish, remember to tip-off after application. This means lightly dragging the tips of an unloaded brush across the wet varnish whilst holding the brush at a steep angle. Tipping off prevents any runs or pools before the varnish starts to dry.

Once you've let the wood varnish dry thoroughly, lightly sand it with extra fine grain sandpaper, then wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth to remove any dust.

You can apply as many subsequent coats of wood varnish as you need, but an additional two or three coats is the standard. Remember to tip-off and gently sand between each coat. You may also need to use a thinner with the varnish, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Key factors to consider when selecting your stain include the type of wood you have, the colour of stains for wood you'd like to achieve, and ease of application.

• Oil based wood stain: This is a popular choice as it penetrates deep into the wood, resulting in a durable finish. It gives an even finish which is perfect for beginners, but it takes quite long to dry.

• Water-based stain: This is an environmentally friendly alternative to oil-based stains and does not produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As water-based stain dries quickly, it can be tricky to apply evenly.

If you're treating exterior timber, be sure to pick a dedicated wood stain for exterior use, as these are formulated to withstand the elements.

Remove any existing varnishes, waxes, oils, or stains with a suitable remover or stripper. Then clean off grease, dust or dirt traces with a damp cloth or a dry brush.

Fill any holes with a suitable wood filler. Level it with a filling knife and allow it to dry completely.

You should always sand the wood before staining, ensuring the surface is as smooth as possible and blemish-free. It's best to use medium or fine-grain sandpaper; between 80 and 120 grit should do it. The wood will turn out too dark if the grain's too rough. But if the grain's too fine, the wood won't accept the stain properly.

Before applying, make sure all the dust from sanding has been wiped away and the surface is clean and dry.

Wet the wood by wiping it with a damp cloth; this raises the grain for better sanding. Then allow the wood to dry completely.

Be sure to stir the wood stain properly, but do so gently. Shaking the tin produces bubbles, preventing you from achieving a smooth finish. To avoid an inconsistent finish, you should also stir the container occasionally whilst you're applying.

It's often easier to apply the wood stain using a lint-free cloth or rag rather than a brush. Stain dries quickly, so these tools help with quick application on larger surface areas. If you do use a brush, avoid overloading the bristles.

Always wipe off the excess wood stain to avoid a sticky, uneven finish.

A wood stain can't usually be removed once it's applied, so it's better to apply thin coats and add more. This way, you can build up to your desired colour; the more layers added, the darker the wood will be. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for extra guidance if you're unsure.

You can use different types of wax depending on your project and the look you want to achieve. Here are the three most common types of wood wax:

• Beeswax: This wax produces an attractive natural finish and is easy to apply. It's very soft, so it doesn't offer much protection, and it can remain slightly sticky unless buffed properly.

• Carnauba wax: A popular vegetable wax that produces a long-lasting finish, it can also be added to polish and buffed to a high shine; refer to the manufacturer's instructions on whether to add to polish.

• Paste wax: This wax is specially formulated and versatile enough to be used on various projects.

Depending on the nature of your project, you may wish to use coloured furniture wax such as white, black or antique wax. Before using coloured wax, always apply a layer of clear wax first.

Start with a clean surface and remove any other stains, grease, dust or dirt with a damp cloth or a dry brush. 

Fill any holes with a suitable wood filler. Level with a filling knife and allow to dry completely.

It's best to use a lint-free cloth to apply wood wax. For a more thorough penetration, 0000-grade steel wool will work more effectively

Work the wax smoothly into the wood using circular motions. It's best to apply several thin layers to achieve a more even coating. Thick layers of wax dry unevenly and will look blotchy and dull.

Let the wax dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. The product will dull as it hardens.

Once dried, buff the wax with a clean cloth. Gently rub the wood in circular motions until the shine comes through. Use a softer material to achieve a better shine.

Wait at least four hours for the wax to harden; for the best results, allow 24 hours. Then repeat the process according to your preference.

Waxed wood is easy to maintain and only needs dusting with a soft cloth to keep it clean. However, if you notice the shine fading, you should reapply the wax. This is usually recommended every six months.

There are three main types of furniture oil for wood, each with its own benefits:

• Danish and teak oil: Quick-drying, suitable for all types of wood, and results in a resilient finish. However, these oils need to be re-applied periodically.

• Linseed oil: Takes much longer to dry (between 1 and 3 days per coat), and you'll need to apply multiple coats to new wood. A linseed oil finish is rich and glossy but isn't suitable for outdoor wood.

• Tung oil: Generally accepted as a superior natural finish for wood. It results in a superb waterproof finish that's very durable. Tung oil sometimes requires a more complex application method, so be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Remove any existing varnishes, waxes, oils or stains with a suitable remover or stripper. Then remove grease, dust or dirt with a damp cloth or dry brush.

Fill any holes with a wood filler that's suitable for a varnish. Level with a filling knife and allow to dry completely.

Sand the surface with extra-fine grain sandpaper; 220 grit should do it. This will open up the wood and result in a better finish.

Wood oil can be applied using a brush, lint-free cloth, or clean cheesecloth pad. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for application.

Oil needs to be well absorbed, so apply it evenly and liberally, working with the grain of the wood. If you're using a cloth to apply, rub the oil firmly into the wood using circular motions.

The longer you rub, the more warmth you'll generate, which will help the wood absorb the oil. 

After thoroughly rubbing the wood, remove any excess with a clean, dry cloth.

Once the first coat of wood oil has completely dried, apply additional coats until the finish is rich and hard. Sometimes you can apply extra coats using extra fine-grit sandpaper, which will help push the oil deep into the wood.

The number of coats you should apply depends on the wood oil you've used. Danish or tung oil may only need one or two extra coats, but linseed could require up to 20.

The most important thing to remember when adding extra coats is to let the oil dry entirely before applying the next layer. Drying times can vary drastically depending on the oil type.

For Danish or tung oil, a coat will have dried after 12 to 24 hours. However, if you've used linseed oil, this can take several days to a week.

Yes, you can paint over varnished wood. However, you can't simply paint straight over the glossy finish. You must first clean the wood thoroughly. Then, sand the surface with a medium-grit sandpaper to remove the shiny top layer. This gives the new paint a textured surface to stick to. Finally, apply a high-quality wood primer before you start painting.

Yes, you certainly can paint over stained wood. Painting over stained timber is a great way to update a room. You'll need to clean the surface and give it a light sanding to ensure a smooth base. Because wood stains can sometimes bleed through standard emulsions, it's vital to use a stain-blocking primer first. Once the primer is dry, you can apply your chosen topcoat.

The most effective way to strip varnish is by using a dedicated chemical varnish remover wood product. Apply the stripper thickly with an old brush and leave it to work according to the manufacturer's instructions. The old varnish will start to blister and bubble, and you can then carefully scrape it away using a filling knife or a paint scraper. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear your safety gloves and goggles.