how do you properly apply stains/varnishes

[sundin4prez]

so i trying to stain my strat body with miniwax chestnut....im testing on some scrap ash and i cant seem to come up with a technique to lay the finish flat without wipe marks and such

so i have 2 questions for you guys  1. how do you guys apply a nice stain using miniwax products

                                                    2. when i'm applying the stain should i hang the body to stain both sides of the body at the same time or can i apply the stain to one side of the body
                                                        and then let it dry and then stain the other side , is the o.k....

 

[jackthehack]

I've used the Minwax oil based stains on a number of builds; I always just apply with old Tshirts. Sounds like maybe your scrap ash either has some preservative applied or you're trying to apply the stain too thick.

I always just stain the whole body, you can do the front first and hold it by the pickup cavities to do the sides/back. You don't need a very thick coat and just wipe off all excess after a couple of minutes.

 

[sundin4prez]

cool.....i'll try staining it tommorow

 

[tfarny]

+1 to Jack; get everything ready, use a clean old tshirt or similar, go quick, wipe it all off after a couple of minutes.
Go for multiple lighter coats, instead of a thick coating. Let dry for a couple hours between coats so you can see how much color you want to be getting.
You'll probably find it's easier to get even coatings on harder woods (my experience); staining maple is a cinch but takes more coats to build up.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

CB had suggested that you wipe down the wood with naphtha first to remove any finger oil or other grime the wood might have picked up along the way.  I was amazed at how much stuff came off on the paper towel when I did this to the body I am slowly, very slowly, working on.  As far as the tee shirt, I cut up a 8-9 inch square and a 2 inch by 1 foot strip of tee shirt material.  Wad the strip up, wrap the square around the wad, and then tie the square up by the corners to make a hobo knapsack pouch to rub on the dye with.  I am working with maple so results may vary.
Patrick