It will require a lot of prep work: TSP wash & rinse, dry w/ clean towels, light sanding, wipe dust off w/ 50/50 nail polish remover, apply stain & then apply clear coat.
Mary, I didn't know you could lighten a dark stained wood, but apparently you can, and bleach is the answer. Like bleaching dark hair, I guess. Anyway, here's a little article with steps to follow that you might find helpful:
I've used wood bleach in the past and depending on the wood species and grain it's not that effective. it can leave the wood blotchy and if not properly neutralized new stain will not take. Sanding down to raw wood is the only way.
Once you've sanded down to bare wood, try adding a small amount of pickled oak stain to the wood in a less conspicuous space, to see what it does to the color.
With some woods, the dark stain may be more difficult to eradicate.
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Opaque interior stain.
It will require a lot of prep work: TSP wash & rinse, dry w/ clean towels, light sanding, wipe dust off w/ 50/50 nail polish remover, apply stain & then apply clear coat.
Buy high quality brushes & painter’s blue tape.
Mary, I didn't know you could lighten a dark stained wood, but apparently you can, and bleach is the answer. Like bleaching dark hair, I guess. Anyway, here's a little article with steps to follow that you might find helpful:
http://relaxingspace.com/how-to-lighten-dark-stained-wood-furniture/
Sand it and re stain
I've used wood bleach in the past and depending on the wood species and grain it's not that effective. it can leave the wood blotchy and if not properly neutralized new stain will not take. Sanding down to raw wood is the only way.
Once you've sanded down to bare wood, try adding a small amount of pickled oak stain to the wood in a less conspicuous space, to see what it does to the color.
With some woods, the dark stain may be more difficult to eradicate.