DIY: Stain Wood with Coffee in 4 Steps
LifestyleCan I use coffee to stain wood?
In addition to awakening our souls and getting us ready to take on the day, we all know there are a ton of other uses for coffee. One of the more recent things we've stumbled upon is staining wood with coffee—if coffee can stain your teeth, it sure as hell can stain wood. Note that different types of wood will absorb different amounts of coffee and result in different shades. For best results, use oak, ash, chestnut, or pine (for light stains only). So instead of heading to the hardware store, head to your pantry.
Here's what you'll need:
- A full pot of coffee
- Sandpaper
- Towel, rag, or paintbrush
- Whatever piece of wood you want to stain
Step 1: Make and cool the coffee
Brew an entire pot of coffee (or strong instant coffee), and make it depending on how dark you want your stain to be. The stronger the coffee, the darker the stain. Put the coffee aside and let it cool (this takes about a half an hour or so). After it's cooled, pour the coffee into the container you wish to use for the project. A large plastic container will do. (Note: You may need to brew more coffee depending on what you want to stain.)
Step 2: Sand the wood
While your coffee is cooling, sand the wood you're staining. This is especially important if the wood you're using previously had another stain or paint on it. Make sure you remove the dust so it doesn't clump or get stuck to the wood. Use a coarse sandpaper followed by a fine sandpaper for the best results.
Step 3: Start staining!
Dip a sponge, rag, paintbrush, steel wool or cloth into the coffee and cover all parts of the wood. Make sure to complete this step in even layers so the stain doesn't become uneven.
Step 4: Allow the wood to set
After the wood is completely covered, let it set for 15 minutes. If you desire a darker stain, wait 10 more minutes and repeat the above steps again. Once your desired color has been reached, wipe down the wood and let it dry completely.
Share your coffee-stained masterpiece with us on Instagram and tag us @deathwishcoffee. And if you're looking for strong coffee to sip during your project, we've got you covered.