How to stain 1960s pine cabinets?

Sanding your pine cabinets is a must, regardless if you're painting or staining them. You don't have to sand them down to the bare wood, or remove all of the old stain. The purpose of sanding is to remove the clear coat on top for a stronger primer bond. You can use a hand block, or sand with an orbital sander.

You will need to remove all of the old finish. Clean them well and sand off the finish. Once you are down to bare wood, stain and seal the cabinets.

I would clean them good first to remove any dirt, grease and build up then you can stain them any color you like here is some info for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU5C5Z7R3E0

Here's a post that might help https://homeguides.sfgate.com/refinish-1960s-varnished-pine-cabinet-75561.html

You will need to remove the top coat, normally in that age it would be shellac. That would involve mineral spirits or similar chemical. I would advice removing the doors and drawers as well as hardware (seal all hardware in a container and mark doors & drawers with painter's tape so you know where they go). After getting that off, lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper or fine steel wool. Then you will be ready to stain and finish your cabinets.

How to Stain Pine Cabinets

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-stain-pine-cabinets

Hi! You will need to strip off and sand before applying new stain. Good luck!

Hi Lorene, hope this link helps you decide,

https://designedsimple.com/2020/08/best-stain-color-for-pine.html

Use a good cleaner degreaser on the cabinets to dull the finish. I always get Purple Power or a degreaser in the auto store. Then lightly sand with 220 grit or higher. Just enough for the stain to grab. I like General finishes stain. But you can also use Minwax in whatever color you like.

You can stain over stain with gel stain. You can go darker but not lighter. Minimal prep.

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

Hello Lorene,

Sand down the until all old finish is removed and then stain, or use a coloured stain on top after a good clean down. Good luck!

Hello. This furniture rehablink might be informative.

Hope this helps.

How to Refinish a Flea Market Find without Removing the Old Finish • Ron Hazelton

https://www.ronhazelton.com/blog/how_to_refinish_a_flea_market_find_without_removing_the_old_finish

You would first have to either sand down to remove the top coat, or strip the top coat off with a stripper. Then I would prep the surface after a light sand, with shellac to seal those knots, be sure to pick a non-amber one.

Then stain and add a water-based top coat.

A second alternative if you're going darker is to use a gel stain that won't penetrate the wood to show off the grain, but will give you the wood look.

If you want to stain, they will have to be sanded down to bare wood, It would be much easier to paint....

Are they stained and/or sealed currently? You’ll have to sand off the old and then you can stain anew.

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/aw-extra-101013-staining-pine/

Here's another good resource https://woodworkingclarity.com/best-stain-for-pine/