What are the steps I need to do to darken the stain on stools?

Chris
by Chris

I have 4 wooden bar stools that are a light wood color, I would like to darken the stain to a med oak color. They do have a sheen to them. What is the easiest way to sand them down to prep for restraining???

  4 answers
  • Dee Dee on Sep 10, 2019

    Buy a few 220 sanding sponges. You do not need to sand down to bare wood, just enough to get the sheen off. Should only take a few minutes. Then get the color stain you want and stain with an old tshirt. Let dry a few minutes, and wipe off excess stain. If you want it darker, just restain.

    Oh USE GLOVES AND DO THIS OUTSIDE.

    • Chris Chris on Sep 10, 2019

      Thanks so much for the advice!!! This I can do!!🌺

  • Gk Gk on Sep 10, 2019

    Gel stain is great for this project. Just know that the first coal of gel stain may look streaky. Plan on putting 2 coats of gel stain on and possibly 3 coats. Thin coats are better than thick coats. Minwax makes a good gel stain. General Finishes is another brand.

  • William William on Sep 10, 2019

    You can stain over stain with gel stain. Any good brand will work. You can go darker but not lighter.


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

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 11, 2019

    Mineral spirits to remove the "sheen" finish. You can remove the existing stain with a fine grain sandpaper. Sand down until all the stain is removed. However, since you are going darker you might want to lightly sand and then add the darker stain. Wipe quickly away and re apply until you achieve the shade you want. Then seal.