Cabot - How to Prep Wood Before Staining

It’s time to take your staining skills to the next level.
It’s time to Go Premium with Cabot.
This is how to prepare your wood for staining. Preparing the wood is step one to a first-class finish.
And like all home improvement projects, it starts with protecting yourself. So make sure you wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear, as well as clothes you don’t mind ruining.
Now it’s time to pick a cleaner. If you’re thinking about using soap and water or household cleaners, you might want
to think again. Soap can leave a film behind that reduces penetration. And household cleaners can also leave a
film and even possibly damage the wood.
We recommend using Cabot cleaners. Let’s find the right one for you.
If you have stains left by mold and mildew, Cabot Wood Cleaner is your best option.
Apply it liberally with a pump sprayer or stiff-bristle brush and let stand for 10-15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing off. Some stubborn stains may need to scrubbed off.
For gray, UV-damaged wood, Cabot Wood Brightener is your go-to cleaner.
Apply liberally with a pump sprayer or deck brush. Or because UV-damaged wood can be hard to clean, you may prefer to use a power washer.
If the surface is painted or it has an older coat that needs to removed so you can apply a transparent coat, Cabot Wood Stripper is a top-notch tool.
Apply liberally with a pump sprayer or deck brush. Let it
sit for 15 minutes and rinse it off. Then use Cabot Wood Brightener to neutralize the surface before staining. And let the surface dry for 2 days.
Both Cabot Wood Cleaner and Cabot Wood Brightener come in convenient, ready-to-use and concentrated formulas to give you a cost-effective, first-class cleaning.
For more extreme scenarios, you may want to use a power washer.
Make sure you use a fan tip and spray with the grain at a 45 degree angle. DO NOT use a zero tip, because it will damage the wood. When you’re finished, let it dry for 3 to 5 days.
And if your wood has splinters, fibers, or a rough feel, sand with a 100 to 150 grit sandpaper. If you have a large section, use an electric sander. Or for small sections, a pole sander will reduce the amount of bending down.
Now that you’ve properly prepped, you can Go Premium with Cabot: Trusted by pros for over 140 years.