Necessary to use pre-stain wood conditioner before applying the stain?
by
CChang
Is it necessary to use pre-stain wood conditioner before applying the stain?
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Not always, but it does pretty help keep the stain application even.... if you don't want to buy the conditioner, you can try using a spray bottle to dampen the wood lightly, then apply the stain as fast as you can to get it on there evenly.
I use it only on soft woods like pine. Hardwoods generally have a tight and consistent grain pattern. Pine, fir, white wood have a mixed grain pattern so stain does go unevenly or splotchy. Wood condition pre treats the wood grain so stain absorbs more evenly and smoothly.
https://www.thespruce.com/using-a-pre-stain-wood-conditioner-3536498