Q: How many coats of stain do I need for my project?
A: The answer depends on the type of stain. Wood stain is different than paint in that some stains will actually perform worse with multiple coats. See when to use one coat and when to use two.
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How many coats of stain should I apply?
How Many Coats of Stain Should I Apply?
One Coat
These Olympic stain types only require the application of one thin coat:
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Clears sealants
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Toners
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Semi-solid
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Semi-transparent
Apply with a high quality brush, paint or stain pad, or with spray equipment.
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How many coats of stain should I apply?
How Many Coats of Stain Should I Apply?
Two Coats
Olympic solid color wood stains require the application of two thin coats for optimum durability.
Applying two coats of solid wood stains will also hide wood grain and imperfections.
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How many coats of stain should I apply?
How many coats should I apply?
Why Do the Number of Coats Vary?
The number of recommended coats varies because applied stain moisturizes wood in a way that allows for the wood to soak in, in freshly applied layers.
If you apply a second, unnecessary coat of stain to wood that is already adequately covered, you risk creating a tacky surface that is prone to early peeling because the second coat is not penetrating the wood surface, but simply laying on top of the first coat of stain.
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