How do I refinish this to be darker with red undertones?

Judy Jarvos
by Judy Jarvos

I would like to refinish this in a darker brown with red undertones. Can anyone give me advice on how to accomplish that.

  5 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 06, 2019

    Take a drawer and try a test. Wash down with TSP Sand off sheen. Apply the gel stain of your choice and see if that works. If not you'll have to strip the whole piece and start from scratch.

  • William William on Jan 06, 2019

    You can stain over stain with a good gel stain. You can go darker but not lighter.

    https://www.minwax.com/how-to-finish-wood/change-stain-color-with-polyshades/

  • Pamela Pamela on Jan 06, 2019

    I agree with Kelli, but I wouldn't stop at just one test before sanding the entire piece.

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Jan 06, 2019

    If I am just altering the color of a piece I usually start in an inconspicuous location. You could use the side but the front is what you will see so you could try a drawer.


    As Kelli suggested you can clean it with TSP. if you don’t have TSP use a liquid cleaner and get off all of the dust, oil from fingers, and other accumulated dirt. I think a gel stain will give it too much color at once. I normally use Minwax solvent based penetrating stain so I can thin it. I have used Dark Walnut 2716 and Red Chestnut 232 for a similar project. Using a cheese cloth dip a corner in the red stain and dip it in turpentine or naphtha orother solvent to get it thin. Rub it over the entire drawer front just barely putting the stain on so you just slightly change the color. Let dry between oats until it looks dark enough. Repeat with the red chestnut until you get the red tones you like.


    Finish it with a paste wax to the shine you want.


    https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains-color-guide/

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 07, 2019

    Hi Judy,

    Look for Mahogany Stains.....