| Stenciling With Stain |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-108 |
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Q: Do we have to use paint when stenciling, or can we use stains?
A: (Bruce Johnson, Ask DIY Woodworking expert) Paint covers the grain of the wood and looks new. Water-based stain, on the other hand, dries quickly and gives more of an antique look. Nobody's perfect: Never stencil antique furniture: it will reduce the value. Instead, buy an inexpensive piece of unfinished furniture and follow this technique: Materials:
Unfinished chair
Water-based finish
Paintbrush
Heart stencil
Stencil adhesive
Round sponge
Blue water-based stain
Safety alert: Be sure to wear plastic gloves when working with stain. - You can stencil over either bare wood, a previous coat of stain or a finish you may have applied earlier. For this unfinished wood, however, you should apply a coat of water-based finish before you stencil (figure A). Apply the finish to the entire piece, not just the part you plan to stencil. This will seal the wood and make it possible for you to wipe off any spills, runs or mistakes you might make. If you spill stain on bare wood, you'll have to sand it off.
- If you're artistic, you may want to make your own stencil from acetate. If not, use a ready-made stencil and spray one side lightly with stencil adhesive. Then press it firmly onto the space you want to stencil (figure B).
- Instead of a stencil brush, use a small round sponge to apply the stain -- it will give you more control. Dip it into the stain and then dab the excess off on a cloth or paper towel. The sponge should be almost dry.
- Dab the sponge over the stencil. All you need is light pressure (figure C). You just want to deposit the stain on the wood, not force it. If you like, do some twists and turns with the sponge for an unusual effect, or add extra stain to some parts of the stencil to create a mottled, aged effect.
- Let the stain dry for at least half an hour. If you like, add another color on top.
- Peel the stencil from the chair. Give the entire chair a coat of water-based finish to protect the wood and the stenciled area.
Working smarter: If there's still some adhesive on the chair when you pull off the stencil, gently scrape off the glue with your fingernail. More questions for Bruce:
Q: Can you mix different stains together?
A: Yes, provided you mix water-based stain with water-based stain and oil with oil. And be sure to measure what you mixed and record it, so you can duplicate it another time if you like it.
Q: I have problems with the tips of aerosol cans plugging up after I use them. What can I do to prevent this?
A: When you're all done spraying, turn the can upside down and press the tip until all the finish has been expelled from it and nothing is coming out but propellant. That will blow the finish out so it won't dry in the nozzle.
Q: If I plant to use multiple colors on one stencil, how long do I need to wait for each color to dry?
A: Usually around 15 to 20 minutes. One of the advantages of water-based stains is that they dry very quickly, especially when it's warm and dry where you're working. If it's not, you can speed the process with a hair-dryer on a low setting. Web site resources for Stenciling With Stains: Stencil an Inlaid Design from HGTV.com Resist Stain Stenciling from Star Tribune.com Stenciling With Stain Tip from Dressler Stencils.com Books: Stenciling on a Grand Scale: Using Simple Stencils to Create Visual Magic
By Sandra Buckingham
Firefly Books Ltd
4 Daybreak Ln.
Westport, CT 06880-2157
Toll-Free phone: 800-387-5085
Toll-Free fax: 800-565-6034
Stenciling Techniques: A Complete Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Designs for the Home
By Jane Gauss
Watson-Guptill Publications (1995)
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-764-7300
Fax: 212-382-6090
Web site: www.watsonguptill.com
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