Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just finished sanding a table top and applying stain (outdoors).  The color is beautiful but there are hundreds of little bumps on the surface.  Do I have to remove them and how before I apply a varnish?  I would like a very very smooth and liquid-looking surface as the table is a family piece.

ANSWER: Hi Ed
Nice to hear from you.
I assume you dusted the surface well before applying the stain so I will rule that out.
This does not sound like the fish eye effect that can be seen after staining. They are called fish eyes because thats what it looks like.
My thought is this could be tiny stain particles.
This is the pigment in stain that was not stirred well or I also see this in old stain.
Yes you will have to remove this before applying a finish.
Try a gentle rub with superfine steel wool.
You may have to apply more stain after this.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eileen,

You were absolutely correct.
The culprit was the stain.
I applied one coat using a brush and then a paper towel (to clear up any excess).  The result was a smooth uniform surface.  I next applied liberal doses of stain using a brush and towel but without wiping off the excess.  The result was a "goosebumps" appearnce with little particles embedded on and just below the surface of the stain.  I was using a Minwax English Chestnut stain.  I checked the can for an expiration date but found none.  Could you recommend a way to select a stain that will not produce this result?

Answer
Hi again Ed.
So glad we found your problem.
There is not an expiration date on Minwax.
This is the only stain I buy (because its the only one our little hardware store carries LOL).
But you should not have this problem with a freshly shaken and opened can.
What usually happens with our stain is we buy it, use a bit, sit it away, get it out again and do not shake it well enough and use more of it.
The pigment gradually concentrates. It gets to the point where the  pigment clumps together in those tiny particals you experienced.
The stain is still usable if its strained, but it should be discarded when it sits for a long while.
Ed my guess is all oil based stains do this.
And perhaps this particular color you used sat on the store shelf for a long while before you got it, or maybe on your shelf.
And Minwax is a great product.
Maybe get smaller cans in future too.
Hope you got the table top fixed OK.
Regards
Eileen