Staining wood for decoupage

Hello there

Choose a stain that works well with the other wood furniture in the room.
A light to medium tone tends to be less formal than a darker one. Cut the motifs out compare them against swatches of differing tones. The first coat should be lightly applied. If you want the shade darker or richer shade, simply apply another coat to darken it. Lightening a stained piece is much more difficult, as the color must be sanded off, wiped clean, and the stain reapplied. As with all pieces should be protected with a clear finish when completed. A water-based polyurethane looks professional and is easy to apply. While it dries quickly, it is best to let each coat dry overnight before applying the next.

1 Sand wood surfaces smooth with fine sandpaper. Wipe with tack cloth to remove excess dust. Be sure wood is dry and free of all dust before applying stain.

2 Use commercial mixture or add enough stain to polyurethane to get desired tint.
Apply color with bristle brush to bottom surfaces of objects like a foot stool, brushing in the direction of the wood grain. repeat on top. let dry completely.

3 Carefully cut out motifs using form brush, apply thin coat of medium to back of motif. Position motif; smooth with fingertips. Let dry. Apply thin coat of medium over entire top of stool are object. Let dry completely.

*** If using a stain finish with decoupage, select a water based finished so the decoupage medium will not bend up and remain sticky. For furniture pieces that will be getting a lot of use, like the footstool apply three to four coats with heavy activity on the and around the object.

Good Luck
Happy Crafting