What is the best way to stain an area fixed with wood filler?

by Susan

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Answered

I have purchased a chair that I absolutely love that needed some love. The left side arm was worn by a left handed guitar player. I have filled it in, sanded it and now I think I am ready to stain it. I have tested an area and it seems very porous. Does anyone have any recommendations? I know I won't be able to match it perfectly but I am hoping to get it close.

I purchased this gem for $20.00

This is the area that needed fixed.

8 answers

Janet Pizaro on Sep 25, 2015
although this may be a some what long process, I have found a website for the step by step instructions. Go yo DYI how to stain over wood filler.

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- Susan on Sep 26, 2015
  @Janet Pizaro Thank you Janet. I will check it out.
  
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- Lela Penwell on Sep 28, 2015
  @Janet Pizaro I would be safe in saying the stain tht you can get at the Tru-Value hardware store ...maybe Murphys ..seems to me .or Johnson and Johnson
  
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Z on Sep 26, 2015
Susan, are you going to sand or strip the rest of the stain off before finishing the wood? Is the wood filler "stainable"?

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- Susan on Sep 26, 2015
  @Z the wood filler is stainable. I didn't want to strip the whole chair. Someone had mentioned a product to prep the area before putting on the stain but I don't know what that is. I may just have to do a little more research.
  
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- Z on Sep 26, 2015
  @Susan, that's good that it's stainable filler. That's a good start. Though the best way would have been to remove all the stain so the color would have been consistent, that still can happen if you can find the right match to the old stain. Stain can darken over the years so sometimes it can be harder to find a perfect match. I don't think you'll have as much of a problem since the chair is stained walnut. I'd recommend Minwax Gel Stain Walnut. It should work well over the filler and also if you have to blend over the finished areas. Here's the steps I would personally take. 1. Very lightly sand using a fine (#220 grit) sandpaper the area around the filler to give it tooth for blending. 2. Clean away excess dust using a tack or microfiber cloth. A vacuum will also work. 3. Follow directions on the back of the stain you chose to apply the stain. If you use the recommended brand, you can apply with brush or cloth. Let set for a few minutes and wipe off making sure to spread over the areas that were prestained until it's thin at the edges so it blends well. After it dries if you find it's not dark enough, reapply after allowing it to dry overnight. 4. Allow to dry at least 24 hours after applying the last coat then apply a clear finish.
  
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Allison on Sep 27, 2015
Some very good advice here, a little patience and you will get the perfect color. This chair looks like it would be a perfect candidate for painting the upholstery as well. There are so many helpful instructions on Hometalk, YouTube, Pinterest. You could really make this chair yours!

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- Susan on Sep 28, 2015
  @Allison I have thought about painting it but I am a little hesitant. Honestly, a little afraid. I recently let my husband switch our "brown" (with a reclining chair) family room furniture with our gray upstairs furniture just so I could put this chair in our living room. :O)
  
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- Allison on Sep 28, 2015
  He sounds like a keeper to me! 😊 Stained wood and painted upholstery would probably look wonderful anywhere in your house. It does sound scary to paint fabric, but there's lots of info online to guide you...Maybe? Best
  
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- Starlet on Sep 30, 2015
  @Allison Painting the upholstery! I never heard of that - all these years I had this great old couch but the upholstery was so worn that I was always covering it with Sure Fit. I finally after 30+ years bought a new couch. I'll check uTube.
  
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Cj Avery on Sep 29, 2015
My brother a builder always taught me to keep a box of crayons all colors for touch ups and magic markers (water proof) you can seal with wax just match the color may take more than one color or just sand whole chair and restrain.

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Starlet on Sep 30, 2015
Painting the upholstery! I never heard of that - all these years I had this great old couch but the upholstery was so worn that I was always covering it with Sure Fit. I finally after 30+ years bought a new couch. I'll check uTube.

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Allison on Sep 30, 2015
That's wonderful. Hope it's comfy and your family enjoys it!

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Amanda Broussard on Oct 02, 2015
you can try old english dark wood scratch cover i did on some old rocking chairs i couldn't quite match the original stain and it worked great and its about $5.00. so its not expensive to try it out.

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Janis Gibson on Oct 03, 2015
Annie Sloan chalk paint is great for painting upholstery.

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