Choosing your stain:
Most unfinished plantation shutters are made from basswood.  Basswood is naturally a light colored wood and takes stains beautifully.  However, different pieces of wood (basswood included) will take stain differently.  Even wood from the same tree will take stain a bit differently.  Since the same stain is used, all the wood is the same color, but some pieces will be lighter while some pieces will be darker.  You can see this when you look at any fine hardwood furniture or a hardwood floor.  Your plantation shutters will have similar variation but this is normal and is what makes stained plantation shutters so beautiful.  If there were no variation, you might as well have a plastic shutter.

Stains vary widely.  Just because it looks one way on the top of the can does not mean that is how it will look on your shutters.  I suggest that when you order your shutters, always request some scrap pieces of wood to be sent along so that you can test the stains.  Most popular stains are acceptable.  Do NOT use dye stains.  Only use particle stains.  If you don’t know if your stain is a dye stain or a particle stain, ask.  Most popular stains are particle stains.  Dye stains are typically found at specialty finishing stores.  The reason I suggest staying away from dye stains is because plantation shutters, by their very nature, are going to be exposed to a lot of sun.  Particle stains are more resistant to fading than dye stains.

Choosing Your Top Coat: 
For all of the different types of stains, there are even more types of top coats.  Most plantation shutter factories utilize a clear lacquer top coat.  The do-it-yourselfer can use a lacquer top coat as well.  However, a very popular topcoat is polyurethane.  For a durable finish, I suggest using oil based polyurethane.  Although water based polyurethane is great, the standard oil based polyurethane is still considered more durable.  If you are using spray cans verses air or airless sprayers, you will be happy to know that many of the most popular top coats are available in spray cans.   When selecting your topcoat, you may want to try and find one that has ultraviolet light inhibitors.  This will provide a bit of additional protection for your plantation shutters against fading.  All stained finishes will eventually patina or fade at least a bit.  I actually like the look of stained plantation shutters that look to have a little age on them.  However, a top coat with UV inhibitors will help to slow the aging process.  Most of the exterior grade top coats have these UV inhibitors.

You need to consider the gloss level of your top coat.  Most plantation shutters are finished in a semi-gloss finish.  Semi-gloss top coats are ideal for windows.  Windows obviously get a lot of light.  Full gloss tends to produce glare which is one of the things you are trying to reduce by installing plantation shutters.

Step 4:  Apply The Stain

The first rule of staining is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  The second rule of staining is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  You can guess what the third rule is.  However, I do have some advice to give. 

Just like paints, there are many different ways of applying stains.  Some factories spray on the stains.  However, I believe the majority of factories apply stains in the same manner as I suggest for the do-it-yourselfer:  with a clean, lint free cloth.  First, be sure to stir the stain thoroughly.  Since you will be using a particle stain, the particles have a tendency to settle.  Thus, stir (never shake) the stain about every five or ten minutes.  Rub on the stain with a clean, lint free cloth.  Let it soak in for about two to five minutes, then wipe off the excess stain with a different clean, lint free cloth.  Try not to rub too hard or else you will raise the grain of the wood unnecessarily.  Do small portions at a time.

Step 5:  Sanding Before Topcoat

Applying stain will lift the grain of the wood.  Use 250 or 300 grit sand paper to lightly sand the plantation shutters before applying a top coat.  For best results, follow the instructions under “Sanding Between Coats” on the previous page.

Step 6:  Applying Top Coat

There is not much to say here except to apply the top coat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Also, read and take into consideration the section titled “How To Apply Finish” on the previous page.