How to Stain Wood Evenly Without Getting Blotches and Dark Spots

January 07, 11:21 PM [GMT -5]

I recently installed new French doors. The instructions said to use stain. I used a standard oil stain but the color was very blotchy. I wiped it all off. Then I followed the second set of instructions which suggested I use a gel stain, which I did. Everything came out blotchy and very, very dark. The room is paneled in medium pecan (medium brown) while the new doors are fiber-glass with grain emulations. Needless to say, the final color is very dark brown and splotchy. When the weather warms up again I'll try using either sandpaper or steel wool to try and lighten the color. It it doesn't work, then I'm stuck with it.

I only stained the inside, but I'll use paint on the outside since it is white and I can match the room which is painted pale blue (almost cyan).