I am in the middle of an Ikea Rast hack and given this is the first time I have ever stained anything it has turned out to be more of a bear than I expected. First, I wasn’t familiar with the difference in quality, smell, dry time, etc. between Minwax and Rustoleum stains. I started with Minwax. In my basement. And subsequently stunk up the whole house. I had fans running so I thought I would be okay, but no, clearly I was wrong.
I’m now in the middle of my second coat of Rustoleum (a kind man at Lowes said it has less odor than Minwax). It appears to be drying much faster than the Minwax but I am also doing the sides and rear of the drawer (why? I didn’t want to see the unfinished wood when I used them) but now I’m concerned the stain will rub off on the items inside — is that possible with a poly topcoat? I’m such a novice this is ridiculous. And it’s taking forever given I’m now doing it in the garage and its freezing! Maybe it will be done by summer. It doesn’t help I already want to move onto the next project – a painted credenza/buffet/server I found for $40 at a local resale shop.
Hang with me people. Pictures of the chaos to follow.
Have you stained a Rast? If so, what brand did you use, how many coats did it take and did you stain the drawers as well?
Woloshankshire 