Staining pine interior window frames

During the past couple of months I intalled a house fulll of windows that have clear pine on the inside (sashes, glazing trim, etc.) and my wife wants to staain them. I've heard that pine must be presealed before staining and am wondering if there is a one-step stain available that would cut down on finishing time. Or, does she have to seal the pine and then apply a poly/stain product after?

 

Pine tends to take stain unevenly. Just the nature of the wood. Some say the conditioner to apply prior to staining helps the stain be more even. I have done it both ways and fail to find any benefit to using the conditioner. The results of staining pine are better with a light stain, the contrast is not so great. Recall that pine yellows with age and exposure to light, so the finished product will be darker later on.

There are products with the stain mixed with the finish. This might make the job simpler. The results would not depend upon the stain in the wood, just the total finish with stain in it on the wood.

If you intend to stain and finish a lot of wood, be sure to box the stain for greater consistency.

Hope this helps.