Staining a light oak table

Jhometalk
by Jhometalk
I just bought a light oak end table. I like the style but want a darker stain. I don't want to paint it. Can I just stain over the current finish?
  5 answers
  • Megan Louise Megan Louise on Aug 03, 2015
    I would sand the table down or strip it. Stain won't dry properly if it's applied to a surface that has an existing finish or old stain.
  • Jennifer Jennifer on Aug 03, 2015
    I agree with ML. You will need to completely remove all of the old finish using a stripper. Then sand the surface lightly (use 220 grit sand paper) to make sure that the surface is nice and smooth. Go over the piece with tack cloth to pick up all of the bits of saw dust. Then you can apply the stain you have chosen and seal it.
  • Red Wind Studio Red Wind Studio on Aug 03, 2015
    You need to strip the old finish then sand with a 220 grit paper. Stain is designed to absorb into the wood so it needs to be prepared properly to do that. Once it has been stripped and sanded you need to use a tack cloth to remove and saw dust. It is now ready to stain. Follow the instructions on the can of stain and once you have the desired shade you will need to seal it. I prefer using a polyurethane the brand I like most is Varathane satin finish. Do two coats of poly then wet sand (lightly) with 600 grit sand paper then two more coats of varathane, this will provide a very smooth finish otherwise it will still feel a little rough. Good luck with your project!
  • Amy Anson Amy Anson on Aug 03, 2015
    actually Minwax puts out a polyurethane and stain in one that you can apply over the current finish. It's always better to lightly sand first (It allows the stain to sink in better)and I would recommend using a sponge or soft cloth to apply thin layers. I've used this with several pieces and they all came out wonderful. I ended up doing 3-4 thin layers instead of 1-2 thick coats which may come out less even. They also have options for finishes like matte, satin or gloss depending on the look you want. Walmart carried them last I checked, I think Home Depot discontinued them.
  • Billie Billie on Aug 03, 2015
    Yes the Minwax product is good or check with the paint dept. at Home Depot, lots of new products are available to go over the existing stain after a light sanding and wipe surface with mineral spirits.