Is Wood Conditioner Necessary Before Staining

Is the wood conditioner necessary? To answer our question, yes, a wood conditioner is necessary when applying stain to a soft, porous wood such as pine.

What happens if you don't use wood conditioner before staining?

Final Thoughts. Wood stained without a wood conditioner can end up looking splotchy or blotchy. Store-bought pre-stain conditioners help wood to accept stain more evenly, but they have some drawbacks. They cause the color of the stain to be lighter.

Should I use wood conditioner before staining oak?

Always apply a liberal coat of a pre-stain wood conditioner prior to staining and even then select light to medium colors. These woods also are less likely to exhibit blotchiness if stained and finished with Minwax® PolyShades® or Minwax® Gel Stain.