How To Prepare Wood for Stain in 5 Simple Steps

Last updated: January 2025

Despite plenty of alternative deck and furniture materials out there, nothing compares to wood's natural beauty. Natural beauty comes at a cost—it takes a bit more hands-on care and maintenance to help it look its best. Those 5 simple steps to how to prep wood for stain are the key to a smooth, even finish. Believe us, it's worth it.

If you want to breathe life into your wood flooring or furniture with some new color, you first need to know how to prepare wood for stain. This guide for stain wood will help you achieve the best results and leave that wood surface looking flawless with WOCA products designed to bring out the best in your wood.

Preparing Your Workspace

• Set up a clean workspace, either indoors or outdoors, ensuring it's well-ventilated and free from dust and debris.
• Protect the floor from stains using a drop cloth or sheets.
• Keep necessary tools within reach to streamline the project process.
• Gather materials:
• WOCA Intensive Wood Cleaner for removing dirt, grease, or old finishes.
• Sandpaper of medium and fine grit or a power sander.
• A clean cloth.
• WOCA Master Color Oil or Diamond Oil Active for finishing.
• Having all materials ready will facilitate a smooth process and help achieve a professional-looking result.

Step 1: Selecting the Right Wood and Repairing the Surface

It's not the most glamorous part of the job, but it's necessary! Before you think about applying that eye-popping new color to your furniture or flooring, it’s important to select the right wood for stain and ensure the wood surface is in good shape. 

The kind of wood determines the saturation of the stain and its appearance. Softwoods, such as pine, are cheaper but require 2 coats if an even finish is required. Hardwoods, including oak and hickory, provide toughness, but their hardness may only be able to absorb 1 coat.

Cedar or redwood would work for projects to be used outside, like picnic tables. Proper preparation means cleaning, sanding, and sealing to produce a smooth, professional finish that will last.

Nicks, scratches, and dents become even more apparent after applying stain. After sanding off problem areas, fill in serious divots with a stainable wood putty or filler.

Step 2: Sanding the Wood

The next important step in preparing wood for stain is sanding the entire surface. Sanding your wood before staining removes any protective coatings while opening up the pores for maximum stain penetration. The result is a richer, more vibrant color that lasts longer while keeping the wood protected.

The final sanding grit for WOCA Master Color Oil is in the 100-120 range. WOCA Diamond Oil Active is in the 120-150 range. to remove rough patches, scratches, or any remaining old finish. 

Please take into consideration: The recommended final sanding grit is really important. Using a higher grit will seal the wood so that it won’t accept any stain. A final sanding with a lower grit will open the pores so much the wood will soak in a lot more stain, therefore you'll use more stain than expected. This can also happen with distressed or reclaimed wood.

After sanding, remove all the dust so that it does not interfere with the stain. Vacuum the wood surface to ensure there is no leftover dust.

Step 3: Cleaning the Wood Surface

Once you’ve sanded the desired area, cleaning is one of the major preparatory steps for staining wood. No matter what surface you’re working with, your wood needs to be completely clean, dry, and free from dirt and grease before applying your oil. That being said, make sure to use the right cleaner for your surface to avoid damaging it.

For interior surfaces, use WOCA Intensive Wood Cleaner Spray. This wood cleaner washes away dirt and oils, neutralizes surface tannin, and opens up the grain to ensure maximum oil penetration. Apply it with a damp cloth, working it into the grain of the wood. This will help break down grease and grime that might otherwise affect the stain's finish.

With outdoor surfaces, you’ll need a cleaner that’s safe for plants yet tough enough to penetrate molds, stains, and green growth—the perfect job for WOCA Exterior Cleaner. This cleaner is excellent for restoring old furniture or décor made from teak, rosewood, mahogany, and any other outdoor wood.

Once the wood is clean, allow the surface to dry completely. Wait for the wood to be absolutely dry, as any dampness will result in irregular staining and may also affect the finish.

Step 4: Pretreatment for Wood Stain (Important for Interior Surfaces)

Though this step is optional, you may want to consider using pretreatments like pre-color or lye, especially for interior surfaces. 

Lye pretreatments are designed to create a patina effect while minimizing the natural yellowing of woods. There are general, mild types of wood lye and lye specialized for wood species and finishes like antique oak, driftwood, and softwood. 

Lye will usually need about a day to dry, so be sure to consider scheduling for this before starting pretreatment. Of course, no matter which pretreatment you use, always follow all recommended safety precautions to ensure a safe and seamless result.

Step 5: Apply the Wood Stain

When you’re ready to start applying your stain, double-check that you’re choosing the right stain for your surface. The first step? Know the difference between interior and exterior stains!

Exterior stains are designed with durability in mind. After all, they're designed for surfaces that are constantly exposed to the natural elements. They also contain additional chemicals like fungicides that protect against algae and other green growth. Some exterior stains may also produce fumes or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be dangerous in enclosed spaces. That's why choosing an option that's low VOC, plant-based, and eco-friendly, such as WOCA Exterior Oil, matters.

WOCA Exterior Oil will penetrate deep into the wood and harden from the inside out—giving your deck or outdoor furniture superior strength against the harsh outdoor elements. 

Interior stains, on the other hand, are safer for indoor use. To plan accordingly, you’ll want to find a stain (like WOCA Diamond Oil Active) that offers the best in protection while still providing a premium finish. 

For even more vibrant interior stain color options, check out the 11 pigmented oils offered in WOCA Master Color Oil.

After determining which stain fits your wooden surface best, apply the stain in even coats, working it into the wood with a roller, brush, or polishing pad. Work in sections until all areas have been polished and remove any excess oil with lint free cloths.

Refer to the specific product for drying and curing times. Avoid exposing the wooden surface to any water during this time!

Properly Prepped Wood Means a Gorgeous Finish

Though working with wood takes a bit more TLC, the naturally stunning results are well worth the effort. When you follow these steps, take the time to prep your surfaces carefully, and use only high-quality products, your wood flooring or furniture will be left with results you're sure to love.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Finish

• Use the recommended sanding grit on the product instructions..
• Remove any sanding dust from the wood surface with a vacuum before finishing.
• Apply products in a well-ventilated area, and follow all label warnings and instructions carefully.

Final Inspection and Touch-ups

• Inspect the wood surface for any imperfections or areas that may need touch-ups to preserve the glowing quality that wood gets with age.
• Use mineral spirits or a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to remove any excess stains or clean up spills.
• Follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions carefully for any necessary touch-ups or repairs.
• Final inspection and touch-ups ensure a flawless finish and a professional-looking result, which can be rewarding if you follow these simple safety guidelines.

Learn more about WOCA’s cleaning and woodcare products (both for interior surfaces and exterior surfaces) to keep your freshly stained furniture or flooring clean, shining, and in pristine condition. Shop WOCA's full line of interior wood cleaners and wood care products!