How can I lighten gel stain?

Aimee Barron
by Aimee Barron

We have a honeyed oak finish on our cabinets and want to have a darker finish. We tried a gel stain (Dark Walnut Old Masters) in the utility room and half bath first. Despite watching all the videos, wiping it on and off, then brushing it on, the gold is covered, but it looks very dark. We've worked on this most of the week and are ready to sand and start over. Very discouraging.



  3 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 25, 2020

    You can use mineral spirits to lighten the color somewhat. Here is a good site that goes into detail:

    http://www.angiesroost.com/2013/06/12/how-to-lighten-stain/

  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 25, 2020

    Gel stain is like a semi-transparent paint that really isn't absorbed into the wood grain very much. So its gonna be as dark as the swatches show. Walnut being very dark in any stain. I would use a stripper to remove it. If you find its been absorbed into the grain, I would use Kleen-Strip that removes stain but is pretty toxic so do it outside or in the garage or area where you get really good ventilation and wear a mask and gloves.

    Did you first remove the finish off the cabinets by stripping or sanding it off? If you want something to show the grain, I would suggest a stain.

    The goldness of oak is usually the shellac/poly finish thats been exposed to UV light, so be sure if you put a finish on to use water-based poly.

  • Aimee Barron Aimee Barron on Jan 25, 2020

    Thank you! Sound advice.