Do not stain after the stock is heavily sealed or the grain has been filled . Apply stain evenly with a lightly stain soaked cloth. Do not paint or dab it on the wood as some parts of the wood may absorb more than others, thereby causing inconsistency in tone. The object is too keep the stain as shallow as possible and consistent in spread. Because wood stains are often very thin, much wood has to be removed in order to return the stock to its natural colors.
Many stains are water based.
Be sure to allow the stock to dissipate moisture before sealing and filling its grain, otherwise the moisture will be trapped within the stock and later cause grain to open under warm conditions.