Expert: Jamie Yocono - 1/21/2011

Question
I have a 1930's maple elementary school chair. I've stripped and sanded it down to the bare wood. I want to keep it in it's original color. What are my next steps? Do I stain it's original color then poly over that or can I just use poly without staining? Or what do you suggest?

Answer
Hi there Randy,

That depends on what the color was before you stained it. Just plain poly will give it a clear coat, which will somewhat yellow over time. If the chair was darker, then yes - you will need to stain it.

Steps are:  strip and sand, stain if desired, then poly over the stain. You can use poly without staining. If you want to see what it will look like, just wet a small area of the wood with something - a little water, paint thinner or something that will wet it. That is close to what it will look like when you poly it without any stain.

If it's maple, it's going to be a light color. I prefer that natural look, but what you do with it will depend on your home and where the chair is going. Maple can get a little blotchy when stained. I recommend a book called "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner. It's an excellent guide to all sorts of wood finishing, and whenever I have a question like yours, it's the book I turn to.

Good luck, write back if you have any other questions.

Jamie in Vegas


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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com