For pieces where you have a dark finish and want to go lighter, you will need to remove the existing finish first. Then, determine what undertone your wood has and counteract it with an appropriate stain color. For pieces that are a light finish, and you want to go darker, you can simply apply a darker stain!
Using most gel stains, you can darken wood furniture, or stay the same color, without sanding off the old stain. But, I usually use General Finishes Gel Stain because the finish always looks beautiful.
PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
When you refinish your floors, you can change the color of your flooring. Most hardwood floors can be made darker, lighter, redder, or anywhere in between. If your flooring is solid hardwood, it can be sanded and refinished in a different stain for a different appearance.
Perhaps your dresser has endured years of use, or maybe you found one you love but it's not in the right color. A fresh coat of paint and a DIY makeover can easily transform your piece of furniture.
Maintenance: Stained wood requires more maintenance than painted wood. Stains can fade or wear away over time, and the wood may need to be re-stained every few years. Painted wood, on the other hand, is more durable and can last longer without the need for touch-ups.
The easiest thing to do when you don't like your wood stain color is to grab a darker stain, and apply it on top of the initial stain job. If you don't want a darker shade, sanding down the piece and re-staining is also an option.
How does vinegar darken wood? Vinegar causes steel wool to oxidize, or basically rust. That rust “dyes” the vinegar. Then, that vinegar reacts with the color of the wood that you apply it to, giving it a new, deeper color.
Use Steel Wool to Lighten Stained Wood
Steel wool is a viable option to lighten wood without sanding. Start by dampening your 0000 steel wool in warm water. Run the steel wool along the grain of your wood to avoid scratching it.
Lay a brightly patterned runner across a wood dresser or table. Opt for bold bedding or wall art in a bedroom outfitted with wood furniture. Table lamps, vases, and planters in a rainbow of colors can also help cheer up dark wood furniture.
Gel stains can be applied over an existing finish with just a light scuff sanding. This is because Gel Stains are topical and don't penetrate the wood as traditional stains do. They work more like paint with the 'look' of a stain by sitting on top of an existing finish.
Early in my DIY career, I wondered if it was better to sand or strip paint. Then, I learned that lesson the hard way. It is faster, easier, and safer to strip paint than to sand it. Sanding takes longer, can be harsher on the wood, and in the case of some paints, spreads dangerous particles into the air.
It's easy to apply, removes cleanly, and it can be applied to multiple surfaces including wood furniture. If you are looking for creative ways to apply peel and stick wallpaper in any room in your home, we recommend thinking beyond your four walls. Give it a try on cabinets, bookshelves, refrigerators, even pianos.
You're less likely to damage the wood with a paint stripper. Paint clogging can occur: Paint can be sticky and can often clog your sandpaper. Sanding can take more time if you have to clean the paint from your abrasives. Hard to reach tight spaces: It can be hard to reach tight spaces - even when hand sanding.
Lightly sand
Using medium grit sandpaper (I like 150), give the dresser a light sanding. If it needs more smoothing, go over a second time with 220 grit paper. You do not need to remove the previous finish entirely since you are going to paint the dresser.
Just like hardwood floors, vinegar can eat away at the wax finish on wood furniture, leaving it looking dull and cloudy. But, you'll frequently read that vinegar is ideal for cleaning all types of wood. If you would like to use vinegar on finished or waxed wood furniture, use it extremely infrequently and at your risk.
Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects the wood and leave it looking cloudy, dull, or scratched. (The same goes for wood furniture.) Follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations or pick a cleaner that's made specifically for hardwood flooring.
You can even clean your wood floors with apple cider vinegar to add an extra shine and leave your floors looking brand new and polished. All you have to do is sweep or hoover the floor first before making a cleaning solution of apple cider vinegar and water (typically 1 cup to 1 gallon) and you'll be ready to go!
When preparing wood for stain, you'll need to sand its surface. Use a sanding sponge or orbital sander. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and creating a darker color. Start with 120-grit sandpaper for pieces that already have a finish.
Removal is Not Always Necessary
In some cases, you can get away with leaving the previous coat as it is, as long as you perform the other necessary preparation steps, such as sanding and power washing.
Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain. Also, the rag leaves a beautiful, even, and brush stroke free finish. It also can easily be thrown out once finished.