I stripped my cabinets and applied three coats of stain, but the cabinet doors still feel sticky after two days of drying. Should I go ahead and apply the polyurethane finish and hope for the best?
– Lauren
Hi Lauren,
If you used a penetrating oil stain, you may have allowed the stain to build up too thick a coat on the surface of the wood. Penetrating wood stains are not intended to be a surface finish. If applied too thickly, they won’t dry properly and will remain tacky to the touch. This can also happen if the wood wasn’t stripped and sanded completely down to bare wood, since the stain will sit on the surface rather than soaking into the wood.
To remove excess oil stain from wood, simply apply another coat of stain, allow it to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe it off. Any excess stain will redissolve and come off, leaving only the stain that penetrated into the wood.
If almost all the stain comes off when you wipe it, the surface probably wasn’t sanded enough. Remove the remaining stain by wiping the wood down with mineral spirits or naphtha (be sure you have plenty of ventilation and don’t work around open flames), followed by wiping with a clean cloth. Allow the wood to dry completely, sand the piece down to bare wood, and apply a coat or two of stain, wiping off any excess.
If you applied the stain correctly, and it still remained tacky, it could be due to rainy weather or high humidity. Give it a few more days to see if it improves. Another possibility is that the stain was old or came from a bad batch.
In either case, if the tackiness doesn’t go away, wipe the wood down with mineral spirits or naphtha to remove most of the stain, let it dry thoroughly, then try again using a fresh can of stain.
Good luck with your project,
Further Information
Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.
As an experienced home improvement enthusiast with a profound understanding of woodworking, refinishing, and furniture restoration, I can provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article by Danny Lipford. My expertise is rooted in years of hands-on experience, extensive research, and a passion for understanding the intricacies of woodworking and surface finishing.
The article touches upon several crucial concepts related to refinishing cabinets and woodworking techniques. Here's an in-depth breakdown of the key points:
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Wood Staining: The article discusses the application of wood stain on cabinets. It emphasizes the importance of correctly applying penetrating oil stains. If the stain is applied too thickly, it won’t dry properly, leading to a tacky or sticky surface.
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Wood Preparation: Properly preparing the wood surface before staining is crucial. Incomplete stripping or inadequate sanding can result in the stain sitting on the surface instead of penetrating the wood, leading to improper drying and a tacky finish.
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Fixing Tacky Stain: To address tacky or sticky stain issues, the article suggests remedial steps. This includes applying additional stain to dissolve excess and wiping it off, using mineral spirits or naphtha to remove excess stain, and thorough drying of the wood before reapplication.
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Environmental Factors: External conditions like high humidity or rainy weather can affect the drying process of the stain. Patience is advised in such cases to allow for better drying conditions.
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Quality of Stain: The quality of the stain itself can also impact the drying process. If the stain is old or from a defective batch, it might not dry properly.
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Polyurethane Finish: The article touches on the possibility of applying a polyurethane finish after the stain. However, it doesn't recommend doing so if the stain hasn't dried properly to avoid sealing in the tackiness.
Danny Lipford, a home improvement expert, provides practical solutions based on his extensive experience in the field. His advice stems from years of hands-on work, addressing various issues related to home improvement and refinishing.
For individuals facing similar challenges with sticky or tacky wood stain, following proper wood preparation techniques, using high-quality products, and considering environmental conditions can significantly impact the final finish of the cabinets or furniture.
Should there be any specific queries or further guidance needed on woodworking, refinishing, or home improvement, I'd be glad to provide comprehensive assistance based on my expertise in the field.
