coating and stain

[Arausio]

What is a good protective coating to put on a walking stick that i can buy from a hardware store

and do i put it on befor or after my stain

[Claude]

Depends on the look you want. Stains will soak into the end grain much more than the side grain, so if you're looking for a uniform stain on a carved stick, then you need to seal the wood first with a decent sealer (ask the paint guy at the DIY store), then stain. If you just want to darken the wood, you can ebonize it, you can use ammonia fumes, or even paint. (BTW, ebonize means soak some steel wool in vinegar for a few days, then use this to stain the wood black - woods with lots of tannin, such as oak, turn totally black).

For the final coat, good old polyurethane is one of the best, IMHO.
Claude

[carvingbarn]

I have used a lot of different finishes on walking sticks and canes . I assume that it will be used so I have found the following to be a good finish for out door use. I use Helmsman spar varnish by Midwax. I do 3 coats. This first coat I thin it 50% with mineral spirits. I let it dry over night. The second coat I thin 10% and let it dry overnight. The last coat is just spar varnish. After it is dry I put on a coat of J&J floor wax. I encourage those who get the cane or stick to give it another coat of J&J wax every 3 or so months. This is a very protective finish and last for many years. I am sure there are many other ways and suggestions. This is just what works for me.

[chipmunk]

i do oils,varnish, wax,lacquer it's the look u want how the stick is used but most of my stick i use a varnish the spar is a little harder and lacquer is harder yet[shiny] the hardest finish is e-pox 2 part [thick coat] shiny] but a varnish is a general finish for most things for a natural look u can use a oil,stain or wax
just my 2 cents