Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by Ernest Godia
Wood stain can be an excellent way to make the grain pop and add some warmth and character to a piece of wood. However, the stain can wear out over time and become less than appealing. Touching up the look with a new finish can be ideal when this happens.
Deciding how to refinish previously stained wood and maintain its original appeal can be challenging. You’ll want to choose between applying a new coat of stain or a different finish. If you decide to re-stain it, you’ll have to decide between going lighter or darker with the color.
But, can you stain over old wood stain? This article answers this question and explores the requirements and steps for staining over an old stain.
Can you stain over old wood stain?
Yes. Staining over old wood stain is entirely possible and easy when you know what you need and the steps to follow. The procedure will slightly vary when darkening the color, staining over an old stain with a lighter color, or staining over a previously stained and sealed wood.
Applying a darker stain over a lighter one is the most straightforward and often gets the best results.
When putting a lighter wood stain over a darker one, you will need to remove the old stain before applying the lighter one to get the best results.
The same rule applies when staining over previously stained and varnished or finished wood. You must strip down the varnish or topcoat before applying the new stain. Otherwise, the stain will not go on as desired.
How do you stain a previously stained wood darker?
Applying a darker wood stain over a light stain is the simplest way to stain a previously stained piece. You do not need to remove the old coat or sand it down entirely. You are good to go once you have cleaned the surface and smoothened it by sanding.
The supplies you need for staining over stained wood
- Dark wood stain
- Sander
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Lint-free rags
- Hand gloves
- Drop cloth
- Sealer
- Foam brush
The procedure for staining wood darker over old stain
Check to ensure you have assembled all the supplies you need for this project. Once everything is in place, go ahead and prepare the work area for your project.
Preliminary step: Preparing the workspace
Wood stains can mess up your floor. If you are working indoors, you will need to cover the area with a drop cloth, plastic sheeting, or old pieces of newspaper if it is a small project.
Start by removing any objects, furniture, or other items that might stand in your way during the project. After that, cover anything that you cannot with plastic sheeting or pieces of newspaper. The cover will protect these items from accidental staining by collecting any spills.
The same rule applies if your project is outdoors. Ensure you remove any patio furniture or potted plants that might be on your way, and cover anything else that cannot move.
Step 1: Prepping the item for sanding and staining
How you prepare the item will depend on what it is. For furniture, not much preparation will be necessary before sanding. However, something with multiple components like cabinets will require taking apart some parts.
Take apart any attachments, including drawers and doors that may slow you down or make it hard to reach some surfaces. You can stain these pieces of hardware separately.
Whether the piece has parts to disassemble or not, ensure you clean it up and let it dry before the next step.
If the wood is covered in grime, you can wipe the surfaces with a damp rag or wash them with soap and water.
Step 2: Sanding the wood
You will first need to sand the wood lightly with medium 180-grit sandpaper to remove any surface inconsistencies. Ensure the wood is thoroughly dry before attempting to sand it.
After the first sanding, switch to fine 200-grit sandpaper and give the piece an even, final sanding to smoothen the surface. Keep the pressure light and even during both the initial and final sanding.
You don’t want to dig into the wood. Instead, the aim is to simply open the wood pores to absorb the stain better and make the surface smooth for a beautiful finishing.
Sand the wood with the grain to ensure any marks left are aligned with the grain. This approach hides the marks and keeps the wood looking beautiful.
For a small project, you can sand manually with a hand-held sandpaper or sanding block. Consider using a power sander to move faster if the project is big.
Step 3: Cleaning away the wood dust
Sanding creates a significant amount of wood dust. Use a tack cloth to wipe it off and leave the wood clean and ready for staining.
You could also use a damp rag for the same purpose. However, if you use a rag, ensure you wring it thoroughly to remove the excess water before wiping the wood surface with it.
Wiping the wood with a wet rag soaking in water will raise the grain, making it rough again.
Step 4: Applying the wood stain
Once the wood is dry, wear a pair of latex or rubber hand gloves to keep the product from reaching your skin—failure to protect your hands with gloves while staining can mess up your hands. And wood stains can be stubborn and difficult to remove from the skin.
You may also consider wearing old clothes with long sleeves. These will get stained, and you can throw them away afterward or keep them for future use on similar projects.
The best way to apply the wood stain is using a clean, lint-free rag. You could also use a high-quality, natural-bristled paintbrush, roller, paint pad, or foam brush. However, we recommend using a rag when applying penetrating wood stains.
Saturate the clean rag with the stain and wipe the wood with it. Ensure you dip it into the stain several times during the application to keep it soaked with the stain. This will allow you to maintain a wet edge and cover the surface evenly with the stain.
After covering every inch of the wood, leave the stain on for about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the instructions on the product label.
It is always best to read these manufacturers’ instructions and follow them accurately for the best results.
One thing you do not want to do is leave the stain on the wood for too long before wiping off the excess. The stain will get tacky, and you must spend some extra time and elbow grease fixing that mistake.
Step 5: Removing the excess stain
After waiting for enough time, wipe away the excess stain with a lint-free cloth. If you want the color to be particularly dark, let the stain sit on for the maximum recommended time before wiping it.
However, if you prefer the color light, you can wipe the excess stain immediately after applying it. Notice that the longer you wait, the deeper the color.
Ideally, more pigment in the wood stain penetrates the wood and gives it a deeper color as you wait.
When wiping, ensure you follow the wood grain to hide any marks formed as you wipe.
After wiping all the excess wood stain, you should have a nicely colored wood surface. After that, let the wood dry for about 16 to 24 hours, or as recommended on the product label. You may have to wait for longer if the weather is suboptimal.
Step 6: Add another coat if necessary
Stains are generally lighter when dry. If you were happy with the darker appearance when the stained wood was still wet, the color might be too light for your liking when it dries. In such a case, you may add another coat.
Simply follow the same procedure when applying the second layer of stain, and let it dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 7: Applying a sealant
Sealing the wood is essential in protecting the stain and the wood surface. You can use lacquer, polyurethane, varnish, or any clear topcoat that you prefer for your project.
The hard-wearing, clear-colored topcoat will help protect the stain from premature aging while protecting the wood from scratches and impact-related damage.
The sealant you choose should come with instructions for use. Ensure you follow these carefully to get the best results.
Can you stain over varnish?
You can stain over varnish, but it will not come out as regular stained wood because the sealant prevents the wood stain from getting absorbed into the wood. Wood stains need to penetrate the wood to distribute the pigment, which becomes impossible when the wood has varnish on it.
However, you may have better luck with a glaze or gel stain that forms a film on the wood surface and therefore can sit over a varnished surface.
How to stain over sealed wood stain
Staining over a previously stained wood that has a topcoat involves a bit of elbow grease. You must first strip down the topcoat to reach the stained wood surface before you can apply the new stain.
The sealer often blocks the wood pores that the stain needs to penetrate to color the wood. Wood stain works by getting absorbed into the wood pores to distribute the pigment and change the wood’s color.
So if the wood has a topcoat on it, you will get the best results of staining after removing the protective coat of sealant.
Alternatively, you can use a blend of polyurethane and stain in your preferred wood tone. These blends are formulated specifically to work over existing stains and topcoats, so you do not have to strip the finish or sand it down to bare wood.
However, you will need to scuff up the finished surface with sandpaper to improve adhesion with the stain-polyurethane blend. We recommend using medium 180-grit sandpaper for this project.
What you will need
- A stain-polyurethane blend
- Sander
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Drop cloth
- Painter’s tape (optional)
- Fine-bristled paintbrush
- Latex or rubber hand gloves
How to stain over finished wood step by step
Step 1: Prepare the varnished wood surface by cleaning it with a potent degreaser like Murphy’s Oil Soap. Once it is clean, rinse it with a garden hose or just wipe it with a clean, damp cloth, then dry it with a dry absorbent cloth.
Step 2: Allow the wood to dry completely and then sand it lightly with medium-grit sandpaper. You can use a sanding sponge or power sander for a large project. In each case, keep a light touch as you only need to scuff it up, not sand down the entire finish.
Step 3: Wipe the sanded wood with a tack cloth to remove the dust.
Step 4: Apply painter’s tape to the edges of areas you don’t want to stain. If you wish to stain the entire thing, skip this step.
Step 5: Use a fine-bristled paintbrush to apply the polyurethane-stain combo to your project. Ensure you cover every inch of the surface with even strokes, watching out for brush marks. You can find paintbrushes designed specifically for refinishing in local hardware stores.
Step 6: After covering the entire wood surface with a thin, even coat, allow it to dry for the recommended time.
Step 7: Once the first coat is dry, repeat the process (Steps 5 and 6) for two to three more coats until you achieve the desired coverage.
Each coat may require up to 24 hours to dry, depending on the product and brand you are using.
Can you use a lighter stain over a dark stain?
Yes, you can use a lighter stain over a darker one if you strip down the old finish. Otherwise, the new stain will not work as desired. When you apply a lighter color over a darker one, the old, dark-colored stain overshadows the new, lighter one. This leads to minimal change.
How to stain over a dark stain with a lighter wood stain
Consider removing the previous finish to stain over a dark stain with a light shade. You could sand down the stained surface until you remove much of the stained layer or strip it down with a chemical stripper.
Chemical stripper is a chemical that reacts with most wood finishes, paint, and coatings. The chemical also typically cleans the substrate beneath the finish.
What you will need
- Chemical stripper
- Nitrile gloves (resistant to chemicals).
- Plastic scraper
- Power sander
- Drop cloth
- Plastic scraper
- Safety goggles
- Respirator mask
- Natural bristle paintbrush
- Steel wool
- Rags
- Sandpaper (180-grit and 200-grit)
- Sander
How to use a light stain over dark stain step by step
Once you have all these supplies, you can follow the following steps to complete the project.
Step 1: Prepare the work area by removing any objects that might stand in your way. Next, wear a respirator mask, safety goggles, and a pair of chemical-resistant nitrile gloves for your protection.
Step 2: Transfer some or all of the chemical stripper into a smaller chemical-resistant bowl or container where you can dip the brush. Next, dip the brush in the container and use it to apply a thick layer of the chemical to the wood, covering the entire surface, and let it soak for the recommended time.
Always read the label for instructions such as waiting time. For a big project, consider working on a small area at a time.
Step 3: Scrape off the stripper with a plastic scraper, removing the chemical residue and finish from the wood surface. If the wood had a topcoat over the stain, it would come off with the stripper at this stage.
Step 4: Saturate a steel wool pad with the chemical stripper and wipe down the wood surface with it. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain to hide any marks left. Ensure you cover all the nooks and crannies with the steel wood pad until you are happy with the results.
Step 5: Clean the wood with a wet rag and let it dry for 24 hours.
Step 6: Once the wood is completely dry, sand it down with a power sander to remove much of the wood stain. Stain penetrates the wood, so you will likely not remove all the stain, but enough to lighten the color.
Start with medium 180-grit sandpaper, and then switch to fine 200-grit sandpaper for final sanding. Wipe the wood dust with a tack cloth or damp rag and let it dry.
Step 7: Use a clean lint-free rag to wipe the wood stain onto the surface. Allow it to sit on for 5 to 15 minutes, and then wipe off the excess stain within the grain and let it dry.
If you are happy with the color, you can seal it. If not, you can add another coat of stain following the same procedure (step 7 above).
Step 8: After the stain has dried, apply your preferred sealer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can you stain over old stain without sanding?
You should always sand the stained wood surface before applying a new coat of stain. Sanding helps remove the surface inconsistencies and smoothens the surface to ensure a desirable finish. It also opens up the wood pores to evenly accept the new stain.
Do you have to remove the old stain before re-staining?
You do not always have to remove the old stain before staining the wood again. You only need to strip down the old wood stain if you want to use a lighter stain over a dark one. Removing much of the previous stain from wood lightens the color and allows the lighter new pigment to appear more visible.
You may need to remove the finish if the wood has a sealer over the old stain. Such protective coats seal off the wood pores, preventing the wood stain from getting absorbed into the wood. Removing such a finish allows the wood to absorb the new stain.
Can you put a darker stain over a light stain?
Yes. Staining a previously stained wood with a darker shade is the easiest way to stain over stained wood. It only requires sanding the wood lightly to make it smooth, and then you can wipe the new stain onto the cleaned surface.
Staining wood this way gives it a deeper color, which can make the grain appear more dramatic and beautiful.
What are the best dark stains to deepen the color of light-stained wood?
There are four different types of stains you can use to deepen the color of a previously stained piece of wood. Here are the four groups of the best dark stains for wood.
- Polyurethane-stain blends like Minwax Polyshades
Wood stain-poly blends combine the rich pigment of a dark wood stain with the protective power of polyurethane.
A leading example is Minwax’s PolyShades which boasts a rich blend of the best dark wood stain with polyurethane in one.
This product is beneficial in numerous ways. It reduces the project time in half by allowing you to apply the wood stain and polyurethane sealer in a single application. And since it forms a film on the wood surface, you can apply it over a previously varnished surface without stripping down the finish.
- Dark-colored penetrating wood stain
The other way to darken the color of your light-stained wood is to apply an oil-based or water-based penetrating stain in a dark shade. Minwax Dark Walnut Interior Wood Stain is an excellent example of a penetrating wood stain to darken a lightly stained wood.
It combines the durability of an oil-based formulation with the richness of dark walnut stain color. With more pigment per unit volume of the wood stain than most competing products, this penetrating wood stain is an excellent way to darken your stained wood.
To use this product on a previously finished wood, you must sand down the finish to bare wood to open up the pores to absorb the pigment and give the desired results.
- Gel stain
A gel stain is a thick wood stain with a greater pigment concentration than standard wood stains. Gel stains are ideal for vertical wood surfaces because their thick consistency reduces runs and flow-related issues during application.
The beauty of gel stains is that they still allow for the wood grain to be visible despite forming a thin film on the wood surface when dry.
Ensure you keep the coats of gel stain thin by wiping the excess stain to ensure faster drying times and more even coverage.
- Wood glaze
Wood glazes are the water-based equivalent of gel stains. They are pigment-rich, with the highest concentration of pigment per volume of the stain.
Glazes boast a lot more pigment with little to no binder, so you can layer them between coats of wood finish.
Whereas gel stains are oil-based thick wood stains, glazes are water-based products. However, both are thick wood stains that dry to form a film on the wood surface, unlike standard stains that work by getting absorbed into the wood.
This film-forming characteristic of glazes makes them ideal for darkening finished pieces of wood without necessarily stripping down the finish to bare wood.
FAQs
How do you stain over previously stained wood?
To stain over previously stained wood, start by cleaning the stained surface to remove any grime or accumulated dirt. Next, let the surface dry completely before sanding it and applying a new coat of wood stain. You can then apply a sealer to protect the stained wood surface.
How do you stain over stained cabinets?
Always remove the drawers and doors first, then clean and sand all the surfaces you wish to stain. Next, wipe the sanding dust with a tack cloth and apply one to two coats of your preferred wood stain before applying a sealer to your cabinets.
Finally, return the doors and drawers to complete the project once the stain is fully dry.
Can you use black stain over white paint?
Absolutely. Applying a black wood stain over white paint creates a unique, rustic look rather than the authentic wood stain look. Alternatively, you can remove the white paint before staining the wood black to create an authentic stained look.
Can you mix two colors of wood stain?
Yes, you always mix two or more wood stain colors to create a custom stain color for your stain jobs. You can also mix a gel stain with a regular wood stain to create your custom color blend.
Final thoughts: Can you stain over old wood stain?
It is absolutely possible to stain over an old wood stain. This article provides the different approaches to use when staining a previously stained wood darker, lighter, or when staining over a varnished or finished wood surface.
We hope this detailed guide helps make your next stain job a massive success. Leave a comment in the comments section if you wish to share your thoughts.