How can I change wood color easily?

what is an easy way to refinish dining room chairs

  15 answers
  • either paint or a non penetrating stain like cece Caldwells stain + finish!

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Feb 08, 2019

    Dianne...Paint would be nice but you will need to sand so it will adhere. Even if you restain I would sand areas where you feel it is needed. Good luck!

  • Deb Polson Deb Polson on Feb 08, 2019

    We used Rustoleum stain (Black) to stain our motorhome cabinet doors. It was perfect. We cleaned the cabinet doors with Totally Awesome cleaner, then wiped them down with a clean, damp cloth and let them dry for little while. We didn't sand, just put the stain on, let it sit for about 5 minutes (or less depending on the desired darkness), then wiped the doors down and voila...brand new cabinet doors. We received a lot of compliments on the doors.

  • Kathy Hogan Kathy Hogan on Feb 08, 2019

    Generals Gel stains .... they work great. go to their web pages... they have videos

    mostly be sure to seal after really, really, really well with a top coat.

  • Gina Gina on Feb 09, 2019

    Kathy means General Finishes I think. And they are very good. Compare costs for one project or do you intend to do others. Watch the video’s or you could paint them. There are many paints out there. I used Annie Sloane chalk paint, you would need to google a stockist in your area or Rustoleum is more easily found in DIY stores. Go on utube. Lina’s chalk paint, wacky goose and Jamie Ray Vintage for idea’s. If your using a light colour paint, use a non yellowing top coat. GF tends to yellow.

  • Merrelljoyce Merrelljoyce on Feb 09, 2019

    I used “Chalk Paint” from Lowe’s (Not the blackboard type) on some furniture for my enclosed porch. You don’t have to sand, just wipe with a damp cloth, let it dry and paint. I’m not a DIYer but it was very easy and looks great.

  • Pat Rios Pat Rios on Feb 09, 2019

    Here is how you can change the stain color of the wood without having to remove the current finish. Good luck!

    https://youtu.be/nslbSjKR2BE

    • See 1 previous
    • Pat Rios Pat Rios on Feb 13, 2019

      Mary, this technique won't work if you want to go lighter. You could try the same color, but to go lighter you will have to remove the dark one first.

  • Joan Joan on Feb 09, 2019

    This was very helpful as i am starting to stain a little table this week. Thank you

  • Kat Kat on Feb 09, 2019

    Have you considered a tinted furniture beeswax? Miss Mustard seed has a dark wax, white for a pickled effect and a new one, zinc. Also clear which I have added tint to make other colors. If you just want to bring back the wood, I'd do hemp oil. It all depends on the look you are going for. Are you redoing the fabric? Have fun!

  • Barb Barb on Feb 09, 2019

    Spray paint works wonders I found out but make sure you don’t use the off brand ones because those don’t have the built in primer. They have a snap on gun to the can that gives even coats and it under $2.50. You should be able to take th seat and back off the chair.

  • Selgne Selgne on Feb 09, 2019

    If you are ok with the color but don't like the scratches, I would buy Old English in a medium color. It's a kind of oil that comes in a squirt bottle. Love the stuff and not expensive and you can find it in just about any grocery store. It will really clean up the appearance of the wood.

  • Mlle LaFleur Mlle LaFleur on Feb 09, 2019

    Whatever method you choose REMOVE THE UPHOLSTERED parts. there is a big chance of permanently marking the fabric - even one small spot will be tragic. If you cannot remove the upholstery then meticulously tape the edges where fabric meets wood and wrap the fabric in plastic. Ounce of prevention at work here.

  • Dsouther Dsouther on Feb 09, 2019

    Hi Dianne, What a beautiful chair! Please do not paint it. If you still think you want to go that route, at least experiment on a spare piece of wood to see if you like the look and texture before you start on the chair.I would like to suggest that you ask your you friends for the name of a professional furniture restorer. I don't think it would be that expensive to have the chair repaired since it appears to just be the arms that need to be addressed. I personally have never had a DIY project turn out that well. I guess it takes practice.

  • Mary Mary on Feb 12, 2019

    All ideas are great but the important step that is often forgotten is that when sanding the finer the sand paper used the lighter the stain. The rougher the sand paper used the darker your stain. You can start with a rougher grit and go to a finer one which usually is the way but the color will depend on where you end up. You can use a rougher grit then stain then come back with a finer grit to finish the chair and make it smooth to the touch, then varnish or seal