Get matched with top furniture refinishers in Miles City, MT

Wood can appear blotchy after staining due to uneven absorption, which happens when the wood has varying grain density. The denser the grain, the less the stain will be absorbed. This can cause the wood to appear uneven in color, with some areas darker than others. 

To prevent this issue, apply a wood conditioner before staining. Wood conditioners help to equalize the absorption of the stain, resulting in a more even finish. There are many different types of wood conditioners available, so be sure to choose one that is appropriate for the type of wood you are staining.

Wood stain does go bad, but it will last in the can for between three and six years, provided you use proper storage techniques. Storing wood stain in open containers or in extremely low or high temperatures will cause your wood stain to become unusable much more quickly. Water- and latex-based wood stains typically last for just two to four years, while oil-based wood stains can last for three to six years.

Restoring furniture generally takes less time because the fixes involved are mostly surface-level cosmetic repairs. In most cases, a project like this will be completed in one to two days at most. By contrast, refinishing can take anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks because it requires sanding and treating damaged wood, adding a new stain, finish, or layer of paint, and drying time.

It is possible to refinish a table without stripping and sanding it by repairing small dents. You’ll use a gel stain, and then put on a wipe-on finish. The downside is this won't result in as smooth and as deep of a finish as if you had stripped the table. Also, any blemishes on your table will remain.