If you can only find pre-finished grates like this, sand the pieces to remove any poly and reveal the wood beneath.
An emery board will allow you to reach easily in between the fins of the vent.
Wipe down the piece to remove any sanding dust.
And then use a rag to apply your new stain to the piece, a foam brush can help get you into the nooks and crannies. Remember with stain, the longer you leave it on the darker it will get.
Wipe off any additional stain with a soft cloth and then check your color, if it's not a perfect match, reapply the stain until you're happy with the results.
Once you've got the stain the way you like it, follow it up with a coat of poly. A tip, spray poly will make it easier to get in between the fins. Make sure that you poly the bottom as well so that the grate doesn't swell or shrink with changes in the weather.
A great custom look for wood floor grates! I'm Mrs. Fixit and it's just that simple!
