Put Down The Roller: Make Staining Easy With A Find From Lowe's

Wood stain highlights natural grain and creates a more uniform look to match your decor. Rollers may be the first thing you think of when it comes to staining wood, but that doesn't mean they're the best option. It's an easy applicator for beginners, but if you have a large area to stain and you want to get an even application, a bit of preparation and a sprayer may be the better option. If you're looking to apply a wood stain, the Wagner Control Spray QX2 Paint Sprayer sold at Lowe's is a great tool to make the process as easy as possible.

This applicator is electric and must be plugged into an outlet to run. While it's expensive compared to a manual pump, it offers a lot of benefits, including allowing for even layers and consistency across large projects more easily. It's also an HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) model. These are great for beginners because it creates a nicer, smoother finish without as much wasted spray. It may not be the fastest spraying tool out there, but it's still faster than a roller, and what you sacrifice in speed, you make up for in a great finish.

Overall, customers like this product. It has an average rating of four out of five stars on the Lowe's website. "Easy to use. Simple to clean. Spray coverage was great for the rails and railings on the deck I was staining. For the price it's a very good value," said a 5-star reviewer.

When you use the Wagner Control Spray QX sprayer, you have to make sure you follow all guidelines, or else you won't see the best results. To start, you need to keep it in the right position, which is about 6 to 8 inches from the wood and perpendicular to the surface. Go over the project in straight rows, and overlap your lines by half.

With this particular tool, there are three different nozzle positions. They change depending on what and which direction you are applying stain to. There are options for spraying vertically, like on a solid fence, or horizontally, like a deck. There is also a round option, which is good for narrow spots, such as railings. You can adjust the flow rate as well to make sure you get a nicer layer.

To keep it working after multiple uses, it's important to clean it every time. Thankfully, this is pretty easy. All you have to do is separate the front of the tool from the back, where the battery is. Return any liquid left into its original container, even if you are done with your project, so you can dispose of your wood stain the right way. Then wash everything out using warm, soapy water. This may be something you want to do outside in a bucket, as wood stain does have the potential to discolor porcelain. 

While using the tool correctly and choosing highly rated wood stains will help get an even stain, it's still not always perfect. Do a few test sprays first. That way you can make sure you have your distance, level, air, and liquid all at the right settings. If you're confused or having a hard time, Wagner has a great how-to guide to help you figure out what might be going wrong based on your spray pattern. There are also videos on how to set up, clean, and use the QX2. Preparing your wood is another great way to make sure it comes out right, and knowing how to do so is one of the helpful tips savvy DIYers will want to know before using wood stain. 

If you notice the spray isn't coming out evenly, wipe down the opening to clear out any drips that could cause clogs. Getting into the habit of wiping it after every few passes can stop this from happening. Straining the stain before pouring it into the applicator can also help prevent any blockages. Even if you decide not to go with the QX2, you can't just use any sprayer on the market for stains. This one is made for thinner liquids. According to Wagner, it is ideal for wood stain and semi-transparent stain, but not paint and primer or a thicker solid stain.