How to Stain Poplar Wood

Poplar wood is a very popular hardwood for use in building cabinets, furniture and in other types of projects because of its relatively low cost. Poplar is also very easy to work with and can be stained to look like more expensive types of wood, such as: cherry, oak or walnut. However, staining poplar is not as simple as brushing on some stain and allowing it to dry. It takes some patience and planning for a professional looking job. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to get a great looking stain finish with Poplar, and this simple step by step guide will show you how. Let's get started.

Step 1 - Sand the Wood

Start with a low grit sandpaper and sand away any rough edges of spots on the poplar wood. Continue sanding and work your way up to higher grades of sandpaper. At a minimum, you should perform a final sanding with 320 grit sandpaper before applying stain . Using even higher grit sandpaper will provide for a smoother finish and help the poplar wood except the stain better.

Step 2 - Apply the Wood Conditioner

Take an old towel or rag and rub the wood conditioner into the poplar wood. Popular can be blotchy or spotty when stained; therefore, you should use a wood conditioner in order to prepare the wood to accept the stain. Apply the wood conditioner and then wipe off any excess. Allow the wood conditioner to set into the poplar wood for at least 15 to 30 minutes, and then apply a second coat of wood conditioner.

Step 3 - Apply First Coat of Wood Stain

Use a towel or good quality paintbrush to evenly apply the stain to the poplar wood. Apply the stain in light coats and don't allow it to build up too much. If you're using an old towel to apply the stain, quickly wipe off any excess to avoid buildup when applying the stain. Follow the grain of the wood and don't apply the stain against the grain.

Step 4 - Lightly Sand

Take a higher grit sandpaper (i.e. 320 grit or higher) and lightly sand the wood after the first coat of stain has dried. This will help remove any buildup of stain and help make the color even across the piece of wood.

Step 5 - Apply Subsequent Coats of Stain

Follow steps three and four and apply subsequent coats of wood stain to the poplar wood. After you apply the final coat of wood stain, you can use a very high grit sandpaper (1000 or higher) and very lightly sand the surface of the wood. This will allow the polyurethane clearcoat to bind better with the wood stain.

Step 6 - Apply Coats of Polyurethane Clearcoat

Using the paintbrush, apply  thin coats of polyurethane clearcoat. Just as you did when you applied the wood stain, lightly sand between each coat with high grit sandpaper. However, once the final coat has dried, take an old towel and buff the finish to a glossy shine.