How to Stain a Countertop
- 1). Sand the countertop with an orbital sander and 100-grit sandpaper. Then change the paper to 120-grit and sand again.
- 2). Wrap a piece of 120-grit sandpaper around a sanding block and sand the countertop with the grain. Spend a little extra time to be sure you are removing all the small circular scratches left by the orbital sander. When you are done, fold a half sheet of 150-grit sandpaper into thirds and sand the countertop again, removing the scratch marks left by the 120-grit paper.
- 3). Dampen a rag and wipe all the sanding dust off the surface.
- 4). Spread stain on the countertop with a paintbrush and wipe off the excess with a rag. Start applying stain around the edges and finish with the top. Work on the top in sections, spreading on stain and wiping it off, to achieve a uniform color overall.
- 5). Let the stain dry, then paint or spray on a finish coat. Do not leave the surface unfinished if it will be used for food preparation.
