Most transparent deck stain colors change and will go on darker and then lighten a bit as they dry. They will usually reach their final color within two or three days after application.
It will lighten up a lot over the next several weeks. The stain should help highlight the wood without totally taking it over. I think it looks great and will look even better once it settles in.
You might try wiping the stained surface with a rag dampened with mineral spirits (paint thinner), right away, before the stain has completely dried. That should lighten it, if it is a solvent based stain.
To lighten already-applied wood stain, first try turpentine, mineral spirits or household bleach. Apply firmly and evenly along the grain.
Most oil-based stains must dry for at least 12 hours before they are exposed to any moisture/rain; however, Ready Seal, if properly applied to prepped and dried wood, can get wet within a couple of hours, and it won't wash away. Oil-based stains will generally take 24-72 hours to fully cure.
The longer the stain is left on, the deeper and richer the color will be. For consistent color, use careful timing.
Gel stain will be fine. Regular Minwax stains can cause finish problems down the road if left without wiping. Amount of stain left on the project is going to be the biggest factor. If you can still see through it and it dries with a day or so it will probably be OK.
Yes, each layer will darken your project even more.
Determine if you want to lighten or darken your piece.
However, if you wish to lighten the color, it is not as simple as applying a light color of PolyShades® over it—you will need to strip the existing finish first.
Pour a small pool of vinegar onto the wood, then spread it around with a cloth. On vertical surfaces, wipe with a cloth saturated with vinegar. Then wipe with a dry cloth and finish by rinsing with plain water.
Wood deck brightener, also called deck neutralizer, is an acid-based product that neutralizes caustic cleaners and helps lower the pH level, making the wood more acidic. This opens the wood pores and brightens the wood, bringing out the grain's natural beauty.
If a pigment or wiping stain (those that contain a varnish, lacquer or water-based binder) gets the wood too dark, try removing some of the color by wiping with the thinner for the stain or with lacquer thinner or acetone.
Is there a way to lighten the stain after applied? Yes, you can use wood bleach or sand the surface to lighten the stain.
In addition, you can try a second coat of stain to see if it deepens the color. Sometimes, the wet stain is exactly the color that you're looking for, but when the stain dries, it goes dull. Often, applying the clear protective finish will make the stain color-rich again.
Most transparent deck stain colors change and will go on darker and then lighten a bit as they dry. They will usually reach their final color within two or three days after application.
If you have oil-based stains (which dries slower), brushing or spraying large areas could work, but lacquer and water-based stains simply dry too fast. This could result in imprints of the bristles on your wood surface. You won't have that problem when you apply and finish staining with lint-free cloth wipers.
NOTE: Do not sand between coats. 6) Allow the stain to dry. Check can label for drying time. WHY A TOPCOAT?
HOW DO YOU MAKE WOOD STAIN LIGHTER? Because stains penetrate the surface, it's impossible to apply a lighter stain over it. The original stain has to be removed. In order to remove a wood stain, the surface has to be sanded repeatedly until the original stain is completely removed.
The primary function of staining is to provide color to a wood piece. If you sand in between coats of stain, you risk breaking the color and damaging the stain. Instead, you should sand the raw wood before applying a stain.
The opposite is actually true: Wood stains tend to appear lighter when they're fully dry. However, stains may darken as they weather and oxidize with age. Stains might also darken on surfaces left in direct sunlight, as UV rays can break down pigment particles and cause them to darken over time.
With a staining brush, work both with the grain and against it. Don't worry about being neat; all that matters is getting a nice, even, liberal coat over the wood. Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off.