When it comes to staining wood, mistakes are easy to make, resulting in uneven or streaky-looking color. 
Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective clothing and gloves. Here are a few steps for Atlanta Painting pro’s so you can to do it right the first time.
1. Clean First
If you do not clean the wood first, the dust, dirt and debris will clump under the new stain. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the wood thoroughly or a mild, non-abrasive wood cleaner. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth or water and dry thoroughly.
2. Strip Search
If there is an existing finish on the wood, this will require removal. Take off any hardware and then apply a paint stripper to the wood, following the directions on the product for use. Wipe dry with a cloth to remove any remaining paint when you are done.
3. Sandy Stuff
Follow by using fine-grit sandpaper, either by hand or using an orbital sandpaper machine to smooth the wood carefully.
4. Fill ‘Er Up
Check the wood for gaps, cracks, or holes that need repairing and use professional-quality wood filler. Pick filler that is close as possible to the stain color you are about to use and then let the filler dry completely once applied.
5. Stained
Start applying the wood stain using a good quality paintbrush, working from the bottom towards the top or horizontally. Be aware that wood stain can and does drip and run, so you will need to work quickly and carefully to minimize this effect. Consider asking someone else to help you complete this important step in wood staining.
6. More or Less
Allow the wood stain to saturate the wood for at least 20 minutes and then evaluate the effect. If you want the stain to look lighter, lightly wipe the wood. If you want darker color, wait for the stain to dry and then apply another coat. Remember that the wood staining effect varies according to the type of wood and stain color.
7. Finished Product
After the stain has dried thoroughly, use a fine-grade steel wood pad to sand the surface carefully and lightly to remove any uneven or rough patches created by the wood stain. Then apply a sealant to the wood and let everything dry.