Welcome back! If you’re reading this, you probably love wood as much as we do. There’s something special about wood, whether you’re relaxing on a smooth teak shower bench, or admiring a beautiful dining room table. If you’re a creative type, staining restyled furniture is a great way to personalize a piece with your own sense of style.

Yesterday, we shared 5 tips for staining. There’s a lot to learn, and we’ve got another 5 for you.

1. Is wood conditioner necessary? The answer is..it depends on the look you want and the kind of wood you’re working with. Pine is a wood that certainly benefits from conditioner, since it can create a finish that looks blotchy. For the look, if you want the look of the stain to be without too many variations, you probably want conditioner.
2. After applying the stain, keep in mind that while it needs to be absorbed by the wood, it shouldn’t rest on top. Be sure to wipe the stain in the direction of the wood grain. For a lighter look, wipe it off right after application. For darker looks, let the stain sit for a brief amount of time.
3. Remember that stains don’t act as a protectant for spills and oils. Unless you buy a product that specifically says it stains and protects, you’ll also want to apply a topcoat or sealant.
4. If you had a rich and dark color in mind, but the end result is too light, no worries! Just wait until it’s fully dry, then re-stain. You might need to put a few solid coatings of stain to achieve the look you’re after.
5. Is it okay to mix colors of stain? If you’re feeling creative, absolutely. The only thing to keep in mind, stick with oil based and oil based, or water based and water based.