TIP photos on Flickr

So you've found a nice wooden pallet and you're ready to start your pallet project? The first step is to dismantle your pallet, do not miss our article "How To Dismantle A Wooden Pallet?" to learn several ways of doing it. If you want to give a perfect finished touch to your project, you'll have to pass through the staining process of your pallet wood. Staining and finishing pallet wood the right way can do wonders for your pallet repurposed project, here are some wood staining tips that you’ll find useful if your are a beginner.

Here is some information on types of stains.

Surface Stains: These fast-drying water-based stains do not penetrate deeper than the first layer of wood cells. They are great for use on wood trims, frames, and logs, and spindles, railings, and wood-sided homes.

Shallow Penetrating Stains: Oil-based stains, alkyd dispersion stains, and water-oil emulsions penetrate up to four layers deep and offer good water-repellent properties. Quality brands will offer superior longevity and will wear evenly if applied correctly.

Deep Penetrating Stains: These are oil-based and penetrate about ½” deep into the wood. These stains don’t tend to flake like the others as there is no surface film created during or after application. However, they do leave behind an oily residue.

Choose the Right Stain

Choosing the right stain for your pallet project is important if you want finished article or furniture to make the "wow" effect. Choosing stains is not just about picking a color you like from the color chart - a light brown stain might look pinkish if you use it on redwood! So be sure to test the stain on a sample pallet or inconspicuous area before applying it all over your project.

You’ll also have to ensure that the stain you choose is compatible with the wood and other finishing products. A stain that is compatible with wood preservatives, sealants, and top finish will allow greater bonding and keep the finished project intact for years to come.

Prepare the Pallet

Preparing the pallet wood before staining it will ensure proper application and a long-lasting stain. Keep these pointers in mind while preparing the pallet wood for staining.

If you’re planning to stain your pallet with a dark brown color to create contrast with your all-white closet, you’ll need to sand them first. Remember to sand with the grain so as to not scratch the surface.

Use a tack cloth to remove dust as you sand the pallet wood. If the dust settles in the pores, it can lead to your stain looking uneven and blotchy. Apply a wood conditioner to help the wood absorb stain evenly.

Make sure that the wood is completely dry before you begin staining it. Applying stain on humid pallet wood will cause it to flake off. Also avoid staining on humid days.

While Staining

Use a light coat first so that you don’t end up staining heavily. If the stain is too light, you can always go for a second coat.

Stain that has been sedentary for too long can become thick and lead to uneven application. Keep a compatible thinner handy to reduce viscosity and ensure a smooth application.

Finish with a Top Coat

Wood stains can give your project a rich, deep color and also highlight the grain of wood. But stains can’t provide long-term protection to your pallet project! Once you achieve desired stain, apply a clear top coat to protect the wood from water damage, scratches, and stains.

There are several finishing options to choose from and depending on what you choose, you can get varied results. Polyurethane is most commonly used as a top coat owing to its durability.

Conclusion

Pallet wood has long been used for repurposed projects and is a favorite with DIYers around the world. Working with pallet wood certainly requires some special skills, so if you’re a first-timer, learning the basics before you begin will certainly be helpful.

There’s a lot to this art that includes cutting, sanding, polishing, and more. While staining and finishing projects seems like an easy job, you now know that there are several things to consider before you buy a stain and get on with staining wood.

With the tips given here, you will certainly be able to go about staining your pallet project the right way. So plan well and get on with the staining and if you want more tips, you can read our article "17 Things You Need To Know Before Painting A Wooden Pallet".

Tip by Amy Allcock

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Tipical Swedish House by The Jigsaw

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Tipo Ponta - Inovatore by livia_imoveis

Apartamento tipo Ponta:

• 1° andar: 186,70 m²,

• 2° ao 5° andar: 192,70 m²

Especificações

• 4 quartos vazado.

• Bancada dos banheiros em mármore e bancada cozinha em granito;

• Bancadas da Cozinha em granito e bancadas banheiros em mármore, suíte máster com 2 cubas e cozinha com 1 cuba;

• Piso das unidades em mármore ( salas, banheiros e lavabo) , porcelanato ( nos quartos ) e Granito na cozinha e área de serviço. Dependência de empregada ( quarto e banheiro) em cerâmica;

• Banheira de hidromassagem em todos Aptos separado do Box (a banheira é separada do box em todos os apartamentos);

• Cozinha com área de serviço em ambiente separado;

• Apartamento vazado;

TIP MUSICA by Sergio carmona

Empresa: National tours

Tipo: Campaña Interna

Tipped with magenta by Anne Elliott

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I thought this was such a dainty orchid, with the added magenta petals. Seen growing in the Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. It has been a real eye-opener for me, seeing such a huge variety of Orchids there. Thank you, Mc Shutter, for the ID (Cattleya)!

Study Tip by jaywillis1

Study Tip: Work on the assignment they find most difficult first.

Your most difficult assignment will require the most effort. Start with your most difficult assignment since this is when you have the most mental energy. #study #studytip

Tips for Damaged Hair by Shezay lsc

Tips for Damaged Hair

Carbide lamp tips by Richard and Doug Graeme

A group of carbide lamp tips fashioned from rock drill water needles.

peach tip by Nicos

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macro shot of a peach tip not a graphic shot :-D shot using a reversed 50mm f/1.8 canon lens.

35179 Fun Day With Family by Bill McChesney

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Touring Monticello

Eating At Tip Top

Charlottesville Virginia

August 18, 2013

Bath. by DJ Bass

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Dumped old bath.

Tip Toe Topic by Robin Dua

Tip Off by Kenyaboy7

Charlotte Bobcats forward, Vladimir Radmanovic, tips off against Washington Wizards forward, Antawan Jamison.

Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina.

tip_fire_2.jpg by Ally Young

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Leeds Road, Huddersfield tip fire.

25TH SEPTEMBER 1955

L.B. HOLLIDAYS & CO. LTD.

Four houses are totally destroyed in this chemical tip fire. My grandad Bill Peach was chief fireman at L.B.Holidays.

Tip by Matt

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Leaf tip by egefan - Suzan Almond

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Get closer - On Black

102911_tip_reunion092 by Duke TIP

Talent Identification Program (TIP) alumni reunion dinner

Tidy Tips by Adam Paul

Tidy Tips (Layia platyglossa) long the Coastal Trail, Point Reyes, California

Tip Off by Kenneth Watson

This is Rupp Arena, home to the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky would play Texas Southern here on Nov 24, 2007.

Tippers Gore by Dead Man!

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Try to figure this out... i cant ...

this wasnt done in photoshop. it was take a slow shutter speed and the foreground was caught by my flash and the background was caught by that flash you see in the back... trippy trippy...

Tip Toe Falls by Timothy Joyce

Tips by Carl Fletcher

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documenting Joji Fukushima's 2011 exhibition "TIPS"

Tip ja Täp by MadisPhoto

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Tipping Bucket Calibrator by HIDROLOGI TERENGGANU

tips by John

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this guy was playing a trumpet for tips in san fran, had a pet rabbit.

Study Tip by jaywillis1

Study Tip: Discover your key productivity periods and places

Morning, afternoon, or evening?

Find spaces where you can be the most focused and productive.

Prioritize these for your most difficult study challenges #study #studytip

Orange Tip (Male) by Hawkeye'sWildlife

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Saw plenty of butterflies around the local area today including several Orange Tips. Spotted this one whilst by the local river and had no trouble with getting close-up shots of him. I guess he had been doing a lot of flying and needed a break. Perhaps he was at the London Marathon too? :-)

Tidy Tips #16 by Philip Bouchard

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Tidy Tips (Layia platyglossa). Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, located near Redwood City, California.

LionsRuleOfThirds by Mark Rainer

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Nik Filters used -

Color Efex Pro 3.0

Midnight Filter

Glamor Glow

Silver Efex Pro

Brushed out for the lions to maintain their color

Twisted joy by Paula Ka ♥