how to change stain color on wood

Otherwise, your best bet is to always apply a top coat over your stained wood for protection. Wow! Brushing your bleach onto the prepped furniture is the next step. Stripping that existing color away and offering you a new blank base to work with. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This can be a great idea for taking older furniture and revamping them for your space. In three days, I turned this stora, Were getting closer! Repeat this process until youve sanded all the way up to 240 grit sandpaper. Yes! This preserves the grain but can be much more flexible and require less effort from staining projects. Luckily, there are a few simple guidelines that can help you know whether you need to strip the wood or if you can just stain over the existing stain! It works especially well if youre applying a darker stain over a lighter stain, and while working with raw wood. If you dont want a darker shade, sanding down the piece and re-staining is also an option. You may also want to wear a dust mask, even if you're working in a well-ventilated area. Regardless, its still really important to test your finish options before you apply them. This article has been viewed 163,141 times. Vinegar may be associated with stain lightening as bleaching wood is a popular method for lightening stain and having a vinegar and water solution is suggested for cleaning it up. The first step is deciding the theme and vibe you want to go for, take the, Read More Farmhouse Exterior Paint Color ideas and inspiration!Continue, Today Id like to share another post in my series on building DIY built-in bookshelves using unfinished cabinets! By rubbing the darkened stain with a petroleum-based solvent and then letting it evaporate, you can lighten the wood. I hope I have answered many of the questions you have about the process of staining wood, and that youre on your way to begin a project of your own! Ive been quiet over here, I know. It is entirely possible to darken already stained wood, and you have a variety of options to do so. remove the darker stain first and then apply the lighter stain. Depending on the size of your project, you may need several packs of steel wool. Dry the piece with a rag or towel, and then let the wood dry for a day or two before re-staining or adding a topcoat. In the last few posts I walked, Read More How to make a built-in bookcase with unfinished cabinetsContinue, With the holidays around the corner now is the time to stock up on bar cart essentials and styling! So, if your project has a very nice existing stain and finish, and you are interested in changing the tone or darkening the stain, a gel stain might be your best bet! Too many coats of gel stain will ultimately obscure the wood, so the most it can really accomplish is some slight tinting and evening of the finish. And if you want to entirely avoid wood finishing disasters in the future, be sure to check out theNo-Fail Finishing Formulas, containing 4 easy recipes for finishing any sort of wood project! I recommend waiting 24-48 hours to be entirely sure. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It is hard to commit to just one, and you dont want to make a bad choice and make trip after trip for another paint test. At minimum, youll know what youre getting before you apply the stain and finish to you piece. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You could also paint the entire piece, but you probably didnt need me to tell you that. Gel stain is actually a type of stain that works well on unfinished soft woods, but also doubles as a stain that can tint finished wood. One more bit of crucial information make sure whatever stain you use the second time is the same type of stain you used originally. To learn how to strip or sand your piece, read on! The finer the grade, the smoother the surface of your wood will be when you're finished, but the longer the process will take. To learn how to strip or sand your piece, read on! He has over 19 years of experience in the industry. Believe me, this will give you the best finish you could ask for. This is important to note because if that is not your desired style, then it may be best to avoid this approach! Pigment toner can also be used, but it will cause the color to become muddy. You can purchase both refinisher and steel wool at home improvements stores. In addition to creating a lighter finish, you will need to strip the wood first if your piece has a lacquered topcoat. *These are affiliate links and when used, I make a small commission at no cost to you. You have a couple of options for staining over existing stains. Its crazy to see some old footage of what, Still glad I added the boarder! Then apply the second stain, and see what it looks like. In fact, bleach is one of the most effective ways to lighten wood for staining. Those are the most straightforward options, but you have a few other choices as well, so keep reading! The bleaching process may have left the wood feeling rough due to the strength of the chemicals. I hear you. Note: This blog contains affiliate links. What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?! The stains formulated to go on top of existing finishes sit on top of those finishes, and dont penetrate the wood at all. If you cannot find the perfect tone ready-made, it is possible to mix different stains together to get your ideal finish. You can remove the original stain with a chemical stripper or by sanding it away. Once you completely stain a wood piece, it will involve a bit of effort to lighten it again. Done!!! It may sound overwhelming but Im here to help bring you inspiration that will hopefully help you make a decision. In this case, a traditional stain might be better suited for you. These shutters were to, Building the hood vent was a little bit of a puzzl, You know It only took five years to finish. Sam specializes in kitchen remodels, home woodworking, cabinetry, and handyman services. Different stain projects will require different amounts of work and products if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thefarmhouselife_com-box-4','ezslot_1',115,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thefarmhouselife_com-box-4-0')}; Before committing to an extensive staining project, it is important that you test your plans on a small area first. You may also want to wear old clothes that you don't mind getting messed up, in case some of the stain spills. If you have yet to apply a finish to your piece, applying another, darker stain can change the shade of your project. After sanding and prepping the wood, apply three coats of polyurethane finish using a brush. #kitchendesign #kitchenreno, Why pay $699 when you could do it yourself for a f, For me about once a month There are cases where you can stain over existing finish, but it will depend on your project and the stain you use. You could also purchase a wood stripper meant for stain. If you leave a little of the excess stain, you'll get a darker finish, but it can be hard to get the color even this way. When you're working with harsh chemicals, protect your hands, skin, eyes, and airways with proper safety gear. "I like the technical work cause I just play around with my brain to get the color that I want if I mix them. Taking off any hardware will ensure they don't accidentally get coated with stain. After sanding the wood bare, you must go over it with a tack cloth before staining it again so you don't have dust over the surface. If youve built your project from scratch, grab a piece of scrap wood, and apply your stain to the scrap wood. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you think your new test option is better than the current option, go for it! The main difference between the different types of stains is their texture. Sanding curves is tricky and time-consuming, and intricate carvings need to be done by hand. Common chlorine/laundry bleach can remove coloring from wood. Traditional stains are intended to penetrate the surface of wood, and therefore can be messed up by existing finishes on top of the wood. If the wood is already stained, though, you might not be sure how to proceed. Then with the next grit sandpaper you have (usually 80 grit,) sand until the pencil squiggle is gone. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 163,141 times. We cant go out and get a drink But that shouldnt stop us from making a cocktail, Read More Bar cart essentials and stylingContinue, Though it may sound like a thing of the past, toile wallpaper has been regaining popularity as people look to switch things up in their homes. Youve just finished staining your woodworking project, take a step back and you hate it. However, if you want to lighten the stain, then you will need to strip and remove the existing stain on your project. How Much Do Miter Saws Cost: Brands, Features, and Prices, What to Do When Your Drill Doesnt Spin Straight. Thanks for al, Well, I did it! The easiest thing to do when you dont like your wood stain color is to grab a darker stain, and apply it on top of the initial stain job. By using our site, you agree to our. It is important to neutralize the wood when your bleaching session is coming to an end though. To darken stained wood, you can clean and lightly sand the surface of your wood project, and then apply the new darker stain to the surface. Staining on top of older stain is perfectly fine. This method is also ideal if your piece is mostly flat, such as a table or desktop. If your idea calls for a lighter stain than you currently have, you will need to remove the darker stain first and then apply the lighter stain. The easiest thing to do at this point is to color over the finish you have. Sanding is also a good choice if you don't want to work with chemicals. Repose Gray has been a popular color by Sherwin Williams for years now. If you just need to adjust the color slightly, opt for a dye toner instead of a second coat. Thanks for reading! Want to shop this post? Staining wood can be a great way to give new life to a piece of furniture, your kitchen cabinets, a deck, or anything else you come across. Staining over paint can add a look of wear to the piece. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thefarmhouselife_com-banner-1','ezslot_17',116,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thefarmhouselife_com-banner-1-0')}; You also have the possibility to change the tone of your existing stain without lightening or darkening. Let it dry and check how light it is. Im thinking something like this: You can still get the pretty wood-look (hopefully with the exact shade youve dreamed of if you sanded down and restarted,) but save yourself the effort of sanding all of the time-consuming places. Click around to join me in learning how to build, decorate and (sometimes!) I love to find new ways to make my home feel and look beautiful.. Much like the process of deciding on a lighter or darker stain, you can look at your existing stain and experiment to find the new tone that is right for you. Here youll find design tips, DIYs, inspiration boards, tips on organization and cleaning, entertaining, and so much more! Approved. It is also useful to spend some time experimenting with stain mixing and visualizing how dark you want the stain to be, as it is easier to darken a stain or change color tone than it is to lighten a stain. !if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'thefarmhouselife_com-box-3','ezslot_12',127,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thefarmhouselife_com-box-3-0')}; Restaining could be one fun way to make that good piece of furniture into a great way or just freshen up the style in your home. How you approach darkening a stain will be different than how you approach lightening one. Unfortunately, no, you cannot stain a darker stain lighter. So, safety first: if you use this technique, be absolutely sure your wood stain has completely dried first, so that you dont end up with a dangerous chemical reaction. If your like me, your first thought may be restaining but can you stain over stain? Hopefully by the end you will have all of your questions answered and be ready to begin your next staining project! It may not be comm, Re-sharing one of my faves! This will be a bit of an involved project, so make sure you research to understand the tools required. The other involves gel stains and will only require light sanding at most a. That being said, make sure to test out a small area first to understand the results. The bleach will not penetrate the topcoat, and will have no effect on the wood. Your email address will not be published. for painting your home. Staining wood is perhaps the best way to change its existing color. If you already sanded the wood to remove the previous stain, you don't need to sand it again. Bleaching your wood project accomplishes the same results as bleaching your hair might. I also frequently test different stain options as well, because I typically have a vision in mind for how I want the piece to look, and testing different options allows me to get as close to that vision as I can. Hi there, I'm Lindsay Fay- Math teacher on temporary hiatus to transform my 100 year old house into the perfect home. This article was co-authored by Sam Hubbard and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Mixing oil and water based stains on the same project is asking for trouble! Otherwise, you could sand unevenly, wearing into the wood and creating a light spot that will show through the stain. A heavy coat wont dry, so light coats are the way to go here. This post may contain affiliate links which wont change your price but will share some commission. Traditional stains penetrate the surface of the wood, allowing the natural grain and patterns of the wood to show through, while still changing its color. However, you should be aware that the finished product wont look exactly like a painted or stained piece, it will be a unique style that combines both! Before starting your staining project, you should decide whether you want to refresh the existing stain with the same color or use a darker or lighter stain. Darkening stained wood is not as involved as lightening stained wood, and so this project is much less intensive. I used two different gel stains on this cedar chest (see the full tutorial and before pictures here) which covered the fading and wear, as well as darkened the look of the chest: To use gel stain, sand your piece with high grit sandpaper, then apply a light coat of the gel stain with a rag. There are options for furniture-specific bleach, but common household bleach is more than fine as well. Best of luck on your adventures. Just like with hair, it is easier to darken light or bleached hair than it is to lighten dark hair. Using a gel stain means that you can avoid the heavy sanding and stripping usually required by traditional staining projects. Ive had a few staining endevours, and ive learned afew tips and tricks allong the way. Bleaching the wood is then pretty straightforward. If your project has a rougher finish, you can expect to do some sanding, especially if you want to lighten the stain. Unfortunately, wood stain manufacturers are not transparent about what is in their stains, and many use both dyes and pigments in a single stain. You saved me a lot of work, thanks. To bleach your piece apply the bleach with a sponge or spray bottle. Dont approach your staining project thinking that it will turn out the same as a previous one. It is always advised to sand with the grain as opposed to against it, in order to avoid possible damage. Yes! Wipe away the excess stain and allow it to dry completely. You can apply more bleach once it has fully dried if you want it lighter. As we mentioned earlier, staining on top of old stain works best if you want a darker stain. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thefarmhouselife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',114,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thefarmhouselife_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; You can even mix 2 or more stains together and make your own custom stain! wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This should only be attempted if you have a good orbital sander; hand sanding would require a significant amount of time. Ive been there so many times. If youre refinishing a furniture piece, and dont have scrap wood to test, things get a little trickier. For example, I frequently test wood conditioner versus no wood conditioner, and using a foam brush to apply my stain, versus using a rag. Because of this I wanted to DIY, Read More Easy DIY sliding barn doorContinue, Your email address will not be published. Start with a low grit sandpaper (I usually start with 60 grit,) and sand until most of the stain is removed. Gel stains are more intended to sit on top of wood and therefore can be treated more like paint. You can usually find dust masks wherever home improvement supplies are sold. The office reveal is tomor, Watch as this storage room turns into a beautiful, Check out my favorite wooden cabinet cleaner! If you want to significantly darken your piece, consider Polyurethane/Stain combo products, like Minwax Polyshades. To reduce this risk, take a piece of scrap wood from your project, and stain it with your original stain. Farmhouse Exterior Paint Color ideas and inspiration! In fact, consider going for a two-toned piece, where youve painted all the difficult-to-sand areas, and sanded down the flat tabletop.

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