Stop guessing at stain (do this instead)

Three steps to a finish you're proud of.

Author

Matthew Peech
August 13, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute

Mattew Peech Woodworking

Finishing ruins more projects than any other step — so let's fix it.

Three things, every time. One: sand through your grits in order, don't skip — blotchy stain almost always traces back to uneven sanding. Two: use a pre-stain conditioner on soft woods like pine. Three: always test stain and topcoat on a scrap from the same board first.

Do those and your work jumps a full tier — no new skills required.

Here's the thing though: finishing is just one piece. If you want every stage taught properly and in order — milling, joinery, assembly, finishing — that's the whole point of Woodworking Kickstart.

→ Learn the full process inside Kickstart (https://join.themakeruniversity.com/woodworking-kickstart-ns902747)

— Matthew

P.S. Want a piece worth finishing right? Plans here. → https://www.etsy.com/shop/primitivemillworks/?etsrc=sdt

What's Inside Woodworking Kickstart:

The full A → Z method. From setting up your shop and choosing your first tools, to clean and safe cuts, real joinery, assembly, and the finishing techniques that make a piece look professional. Each lesson builds on the last — no gaps, no overwhelm.

6 step-by-step guided projects. You don't just watch — you build. Six complete projects walk you through start to finish, so you're applying every skill the moment you learn it and finishing real pieces you're proud of.

Tool guides + build guides. Clear, no-jargon breakdowns of exactly what each tool does, which ones to actually buy first (and which to skip), and how to approach a build so you never feel lost mid-project.

21 bonus build plans — over $300 in value, included. A full library of done-for-you plans with every cut and measurement mapped out, so you always have your next project ready to go long after you finish the course.

A private community of nearly 2,000 makers. You're never building alone. Get feedback on your work, ask questions when you're stuck, and swap wins with almost 2,000 fellow members inside a private community that's active every single day. Lifetime access. Learn at your pace, revisit any lesson anytime. It's not a subscription — and there's a payment plan if you'd rather spread it out.