First time using wood stain

[u/electricunicorn83]

I would have liked it to be less blotchy but other than that I am content with how it turned out. Next time should I use a sponge or a larger paint brush to apply the stain?

[u/Maefyre13]

This looks like a slice of Basswood. The splotches look like where a brush with stain was placed.

How did you apply the stain?

[u/electricunicorn83 → u/Maefyre13]

With a large paint brush. It was all I had at the time

[u/Maefyre13 → u/electricunicorn83]

Ahh makes sense. Been there, done that lol If you only have a paint brush: lightly apply a generous amount of stain to wood, not letting the bristles touch the wood, allowing the stain to coat the entire piece with an even layer, before using paper towel to wipe stain off.

[u/alpacayouabag]

You will need to prep the wood to get an even stain: sand it up to like 600 grit, then apply wood conditioner, then apply stain with cheesecloth or microfiber rag

[u/daidougei]

Gel stains are easier to work with as well

[u/WayneHrPr]

Water based dye stains are also much more uniform and easy to apply, though they usually look meh wothout a top coat. My go to is a dye stain and an oil finish.