Lightening
wood is not that easy
One of the most often asked questions is “
I have a piece of furniture that is too dark and
I want to re-stain it to a lighter color, what
color stain should I use”? Most people expect
to hear, “no problem, just go out and buy
a can of golden oak stain, brush on a couple of
coats over the darker color and slap on a coat
of polyurethane over the stain. However, many
people are surprised that you need to strip off
the existing finish and you probably have to bleach
out the all color and apply a new stain. Unfortunately,
sometimes there is no easy or easier way.
Lighter stains over dark wood usually do not work
There are a number of ways to actually lighten
the color of a piece of furniture, but applying
a lighter stain over an existing darker color
usually does not work. All stains are somewhat
transparent so the grain of the wood can show
through. Some stains, like dyes are so transparent
that if you apply a very light color dye to a
dark piece of wood, it will actually make the
wood darker instead of lighter in the same way
a clear lacquer will actually slightly darken
a piece of cherry or walnut when it is applied
to the surface.
Semi-Transparent Stains
Staining will work once in a while depending
upon the initial color of the wood (how dark),
how lighter you want to make it and if you use
a semi-transparent (pigmented stain). Unlike dyes,
pigmented stains are not as transparent. In fact,
a pigmented stain is actually a thinned down paint.
A pigmented stain will also block out the color
it is being applied over, but not all of it. In
order for the lighter pigmented stain to block
out all the darker color there would have to be
so much pigment in the stain that it would not
only block out the darker color but also hide
all the grain of the wood, just like a paint.If
you have a piece that you wish to make slightly
lighter and don’t mind giving up some of
the wood’s grain that is showing, you could
apply a pigmented stain that is slightly lighter
than the existing color. Remember it’s best
to apply multiple lighter coats than one thick
coat.
Applying the top coat
Once you have achieved the color you desire,
let the stain dry very well and then apply a topcoat
finish like varnish, lacquer or polyurethane over
it to seal. The application of the topcoat may
change the color slightly, in any case it’s
always best to run a test on a small, inconspicuous
spot before attempting to do the whole piece.
Remember to run the test from start to finish
(stain to topcoat) before you do the whole piece,
this way you will know what to expect and if you
do not like it, you can always touch up the small
test spot.
Stripping the wood
The best, and sometimes only way to lighten the
color involves more time and effort. First, you
have to remove (strip off) the existing finish.
Usually the best way to do this is to use a paint
and varnish remover. If the piece has been built
within the last 50 years and the original finish
still remains, you may be surprised to find that
most or all of the color will come off when you
remove the finish. This is because many furniture
manufactures added the color right into the finish
they used. This was usually lacquer or varnish.
Once the finish has been removed, the next step
is to wash the whole piece down with mineral spirits.
This will remove any traces of the paint and varnish
remover that may have been left on the surface.
At this point, if you feel the color is light
enough, all you need to do is apply a clear topcoat.
However, if the color is still too dark or if
the wood appears blotchy with lighter and darker
spots, your next step is to bleach
Bleaching the wood is an important step
Bleaches are highly reactive chemicals that break
down the color(s) in the wood. There are basically
three types of chemicals most commonly used to
bleach wood, Oxalic acid, Sodium hypochlorite
and a two part A/B wood bleach. Oxalic acid is
a good choice for removing stains in wood, but
is very poisonous. Sodium hypochlorite usually
works well on aniline dye, but once again is dangerous
in inexperienced hands. The two part A/B wood
bleach is what I use and the one I suggest you
try. It is by far the most effective all around
and easiest to use, however, (like any chemical)
you must still take great care when using this
or any other bleach or wood lightner.
Note: Bleach can be very dangerous
if not handled properly. Follow the manufacture’s
instructions carefully. Never mix bleach with
another chemical and always work with a fresh
batch. When working with bleach or any other chemicals,
always wear proper safety protection such as rubber
gloves, eye protection, respirator, protect skin
from contact. Refer to manufacture’s instructions
for specifications on proper safety protection.
Remember, bleach will most likely remove the wood’s
natural color, so you will probably have to use
some type of stain to give the wood color after
the bleaching process.
Applying The Bleach
After the finish has been removed and the whole
piece washed down with mineral spirits, let it
dry well for a couple days. Using a paint brush,
apply a generous, even coat of part A of the two
part wood bleach. Let this stand for about 5 or
10 minutes (best to refer to directions for amount
of time). Don’t worry if the wood starts
to look darker, it will lighten up when you apply
part B. Next, apply part B in the same manner
as you applied part A. The color should gradually
start to lighten as the bleach dries. Let the
piece sit for at least 4 hours and then wash down
with a solution of 50 percent white vinegar and
50 percent water. This will neutralize any chemicals
in the bleach left on the wood. Allow to dry at
least overnight. Two part wood bleach is usually
strong enough to lighten the wood sufficiently
in one application, however, if wood needs to
be lightened further, repeat the process.
Finishing up the project
Once the piece is dry, you will notice
that the grain is very rough.. It has been raised
by the water in the bleach and the wash down.
Next step is to sand down the whole piece with
120 grit paper, then finish sand using 180 or
220 grit paper. Finally, choose a re-stain with
color of your choice and finish in manner you
wish.
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