Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/7/2007

Question
Hi,
We ordered new steps going into our living. They are made of oak, we sanded them with fine sand paper and put the first coat of stain on them. There are some spots that look darker (as if the stain cloth had been laid down on them). OK, here's the question should I use fine steel wool on the darker spots before putting on the next coat? Or is there something else that can be done? Thank you so much for your help, Fran

Answer
Hi Fran
Nice to hear from you.
Fran this could be one of two things.
First is stain overlap. It can in fact look like you left your stain rag on the wood as you describe.
This is caused when we stop part way across a surface with a saturated stain rag and go back instead of a continuous
wipe across to the end.
Its too late now, but in future you will remember this I'll bet.
The second cause I call blotching. This is not caused by the person applying the stain, but is a factor of the wood.
Some areas of wood just seem to "grab" stain more than others.
I see this mostly in pine, cherry and maple. Rarely oak, but thats just me.
A wood sealer should have been applied before staining to prevent the blotching.
It would have helped if the cause was stain overlap too, but I have seen these overlap marks on sealed wood also.
That part was easy.
The fix however is not at this point.
Certainly try some agressive steel wooling to see what it does, but I feel the stain will need to be stripped, then the wood bleached and a sealer applied before re-staining.
Possibly some household bleach may work before you resort to getting into wood bleach.
Sorry Fran but thats how I see it.
Get back to me if needed.
Kindest Regards
Eileen