How to Stain Oak Veneer
- 1). Place the furniture on a dropcloth. Sand the wood surface with a 180- or 220-grit sandpaper. Always sand with the grain of the wood. Sanding against the grain will scratch it. Sand lightly to make sure that the veneer has a smooth surface. The sanding not only smooths the surface, it opens the wood so it will absorb more stain.
- 2). Wipe the sawdust off all parts of the furniture, especially in the corners or in niches within the wood, using a damp cloth. Canned air or an air compressor will loosen the sawdust, but the furniture still must be wiped down once the dust settles.
- 3). Apply the stain with a soft brush or soft, lint-free cloth. Always stain with the grain so that the coating will be evenly applied.
- 4). Wipe the excessive stain off with a lint-free rag. Since oak has an open grain, make sure that there are no snags or lint particles sticking to it before applying a varnish or shellac.
