When should you look to use a quality wood conditioner? When should I use a sanding sealer instead? What is the difference between the two?

 

These are a few of the questions we hope to answer with this post today.

 

First we should look at the purpose of a wood conditioner. Wood conditioner is intended to be use prior to applying a stain. They are designed to penetrate into the wood pores and allow the stain to be absorbed evenly and avoid light and/or dark blotchy areas in your final project. It is applied the same way you would apply a stain. Wait about 10 or 15 minutes and wipe of the excess before proceeding to staining. One thing to keep in mind is that this may cause the stain to appear lighter than the color desired. If this is the case, you may need to apply a second coat of stain in order to get the color you are looking for.

 

Sanding sealer and wood conditioner often have similar qualities in that they both act as a “sealer” of sorts and of course, both act as an adhesion promoter. However, the primary difference in the use of these two products, is that wood conditioner is applied pre-stain. Sanding sealer is applied post-stain. Depending on the project you are working on, the wood, the intended finish, and the look you are going after, one of these products would likely be more suitable than the other. I don’t know of a situation where both have been used on the same project so I personally wouldn’t recommend it (or see the need for that matter).

 

Do you have a preferred product? Is there a time you use wood conditioner over sanding sealer? Do you HATE sanding sealer beyond all reason? We’d love to hear your thoughts!