How do I stain this?

lauren5991

10 years ago

How do I stain this? I have never done any furniture makeovers, and I'm not sure what to do. Help!!!

Featured Answer

classysass

10 years ago

You need to strip off the existing finish; a huge job on a piece like yours. I did several doors and finally got tired and sent them out to a stripper to get done. It's a little more expensive but you can't just put stain over a piece with finish on it already. It won't soak into the wood. When you're finished stripping the old finish, you need to sand very well, then stain and coat with a polyurethane, or lacquer finish. You can ask your paint store. I did just the top of a night stand and I liked the way it turned out but I had to put a several heavy coats of polyurethane to get a nice shiny finish like a new piece. If I did it again, I'd inquire about a spray poly finish so you don't get brush marks. Look online for a local furniture stripper.

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Comments (12)

Chikka BangBang
10 years ago
I think you would have to remove the hardware . Sand it and then stain it...
Sue Wert
10 years ago
I'm a fan of chalk paint and I've used chalk paint on older pieces like this successfully. Check out some tutorials online.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
Stain or paint ?
lauren5991
Original Author
10 years ago
We definitely want new hardware. So, that's a given. I originally wanted to do the chalk paint in a light gray, but, my husband wants a dark stain. I have agreed to try to stain it first, I just don't know where to start. Will just simply sanding it first be enough?
Chikka BangBang
10 years ago
Can you go from a dark stain to chalk paint ? Maybe do a test samples before committing
jhmarie
10 years ago
Truly staining it would require it be stripped to the wood and stained with the darker stain and finished, probably with polyurethane. It can be done. It is messy work but gives the best result if done well. You want to be sure the doors are solid wood before you do a total refinish.

Gel stain can be applied over the present finish, but then it is really acting as a paint.

For a nice paint job do a good cleaning, light sanding followed by 2 coats of a good bonding primer like Zinsser and 2 coats of a good cabinet paint.

Chalk paint is a possibility for a distressed look.
lauren5991 thanked jhmarie
classysass
10 years ago
Yes. You can paint over the stain. If you finish with poly or other high gloss finish, I'd wait for a couple of weeks until it cures. Sometimes another coat will lift what's underneath so let it completely dry. Check a spot by putting your fingernail in the finish In a hidden spot. If it's hard and doesn't indent, it's completely dry. If you make a mark, it's not quite dry. Wait to paint.
lauren5991 thanked classysass
mompal
10 years ago
First you have to make sure it's real wood. If it's real wood, then you need to sand completely down to bare wood which can be a big job especially around detailed areas. Then you will want to sand it with a fine grit sandpaper until it is very smooth. Clean it completely until no dust, apply stain, wipe off excess, let dry completely, apply polyurethane, let dry, sand with fine grit again an apply poly. Again and let dry and you should be done. I'd use chalk paint!
lauren5991 thanked mompal
map
10 years ago
Minwax PolyShades.

Quote from website: PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There’s no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish! Simply give it a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper, remove sanding dust, and brush on a coat of PolyShades® (see step-by-step instructions provided in this Guide).
lauren5991 thanked map
map
10 years ago
I almost forgot about this awesome furniture website. She shows step by step how it's done. Good luck!

How to Stain with Gel Stain Over an Existing Finish [without stripping]

http://www.theweathereddoor.com/2014/10/how-to-stain-with-gel-stain-over.html
lauren5991 thanked map
Sandra Berry
10 years ago
Annie Sloan paint, my favorite because you can't mess it up. No sanding required! Beautiful and fun.
lauren5991 thanked Sandra Berry