If want a cabinet to be stained darker, can i just put darker stain over the way it is now? or strip it?
Question:i have an oak cabinet. well i want it to be a darker stained color, cherry colored...can i just put darker stain on it, or do i need to do something else first?
Answers:
This will only work if your cabinet is solid wood. I don't think you can restain laminate (could be wrong).
If this is a finished oak cabinet, it's not just stained...it's probably sealed with a clear overcoat, which will prevent the new stain from even reaching the wood.
If it's solid wood, you can strip the overcoat with a chemical stripper. Best done outdoors, or in a well ventilated garage. There are also non-toxic, and low odor types. For this type of job, you don't need a powerful stripper.
You just paint or sponge it on, wait for a bit and wipe it all off. Follow the instructions.
After it's clean and dry, lightly sand all surfaces. Just use a sheet of fine-grain sandpaper with your hand. You don't need a block, or power sander. You're just roughing up the surface to allow the new stain to get into the wood. When you're done, wipe down all with a damp towel.
When it's dry you can apply the new stain - again, follow the instructions. Shop rags work well, or cut up old t-shirts. Use one to apply the stain, one to wipe off. Apply in the same direction as the wood grain.
You can test the stain on the underside of one of the bottom shelves, before doing the whole thing.
Some stains come with a sealant. If not, you would need a clear sealant to complete the job.
Good luck!
Any thing that is finished needs to be stripped first... if you dont strip it , the stain will chip...Best of luck!
well really you can go to youre local walmart and buy some stick stainer-- then take a old rag and soak it put towls on youre counter so it will not spill -- old towls -- then wipe them down inside and out me and my dad do it all the time:)
If they are in very good condition (like new) you could probably get away with just staining of them. But at least, ... rough up the cabinets with sandpaper or with a sander so they'll absorb the stain better.
First, read the application instructions of the product you buy to make it darker. Most likely you will prepare the cabinet by giving it a light sanding, then dusting it off. Make sure to work in a well ventilated space and keep cleanup easy by preparing your space (tidy, put down some newspapers under the project). Good luck!
You need to remove the old finish first. New stain will not absorb into the current finish. To get an excellent smooth finish on oak, you might want to use a filler or glaze . The filler or glaze is applied and fills the grain. You can choose to either match your finish color or a complimentary color for the grain. Either wipe or scrape the extra off. Then go ahead and stain, then finish with a clear coat of satin or semi-gloss. You have lots of choices.
definitely strip it first. Only stain new or stripped wood
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