The Basics of
Staining Miniature Furniture

The stains I use are solvent based. When using these stains on your miniature furniture the wood grain does not raise up like with water based products. I generally don't sand my pieces after staining them. I might see a spot and give it a touch then wipe the stain back over it, but usually for me its "good enough".

Be sure the stain is mixed well. If you choose to use a stain that comes in little 2 ounce bottles like I do, then be sure to shake well before each application.

Two Simple Techniques for Applying
Stain to Doll House Miniature Furniture

Brush it on, wipe it off...

If I have a pre-assembled miniature cabinet for instance I will brush the stain on. I do not soak the brush but rather just get the tip wet. Then I apply the stain to the miniature cabinet brushing with the grain of the wood as best possible.

I will continue to go back over the same area, without adding stain to the brush, as often as necessary to cover the area as evenly as possible. I try to keep from getting any build up of stain by this brushing method. Try to leave as natural a look as possible, constantly re brushing to minimize the volume of stain in any one area.

Let stand long enough for the stain to begin to dry. Take a "skinny stick" and bevel one end by stroking it over sandpaper laying on a flat surface. You want to get a chisel edge on the end of the stick. Wrap this chisel end with a cotton fabric - old tee shirts work well. Pull the fabric taught over the end of the stick and use this edge to wipe the hard to reach stained areas of you miniature. Rotate the cloth to a clean area often so that you will be removing the excess stain residue (not just moving it around). Always try to wipe with the grain of the wood.

Wipe it on, wipe it off...

If I am making my own original design, or working with a kit, I pre-stain the parts before I assemble them. Just dampen the cotton cloth (tee shirt) and wipe over the wooden part. Work to apply an even coating.

If I want the part to be darker, I will stain it twice. This allows me to keep the coatings more even. Apply the second coating after the first coat has had a chance to dry. The first coat only needs about 3 hours, but the second coat should be overnight. I do wipe the wood before applying the second coat.

The stain takes longer to dry then paint so it should be left, ideally over night, to dry before you begin to handle it again for assembly.

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