How to Stain Ash Lumber
- 1). Clean the ash lumber using a pressure washer equipped with a low-pressure tip. Wait a full day for the lumber to dry.
- 2). Place the ash lumber on drop cloths.
- 3). Apply pre-stain conditioner to a scrap piece of ash lumber, using a 2- to 4-inch paintbrush, manufactured for use with oil paints. Use a clean rag to wipe excess conditioner from the lumber. Wait 10 minutes for the conditioner to soak into the ash.
- 4). Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.
- 5). Apply oil-based stain to the conditioned scrap, using the clean paintbrush. Select a different color of stain if you are unsatisfied with the results. Continue testing until you are satisfied with a particular stain.
- 6). Promote an even, uniform finish by pre-treating the ash lumber with the pre-stain conditioner. Apply the conditioner to each strip of ash lumber, using the oil paintbrush. Use a clean rag to wipe excess conditioner from the lumber. Wait 10 minutes for the conditioner to soak into the ash.
- 7). Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.
- 8). Apply oil-based stain to the conditioned ash lumber, using the clean paintbrush. Wait two hours. Apply a second coat for darker results.
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