Can you stain wood after it’s been freshly painted?

I have never done this before, but think it is not easy to cover paint with stain. I imagine the paint is Latex and covering that with oil stain may be difficult. Sounds like you will have to sand it, but you might try asking at your local paint supply store.

You can't. Stain stains the wood - like iodine stains skin and with some stains, you can see the texture of the wood underneath. Paint is a coating that goes on top of wood. You have to remove it if you want to stain wood.

You would either have to sand it down or strip it if you want to have it stained to match another piece, or use a glass over the white to make it close to the same, but it may not look like the other piece unless it is painted white, then glazed.

If using ordinary stain you indeed would have to sand off ALL the old paint. General Finishes Gel Stain can be applied directly over a painted surface however they do recommend you LIGHTLY sand the painted finish then clean & dry it thoroughly. The link below is the only thing I found that you could apply over paint with NO sanding needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHpgSMZ2LU0

If you don't want to sand, you will have to strip the paint. Unfortunately, you can't stain over paint.

Paint and stain are two separate applications. "Stain" goes on raw wood and seeps into the grain. If you try and apply it on a painted surface, it will "float" and never dry.

http://pitneypainting.com/paint-or-stain-what-is-the-difference/

https://www.hunker.com/12287642/instructions-on-how-to-gel-stain-over-painted-cabinets

However, you can use a gel stain over a painted surface.