Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/31/2008

Question
I am not a professional but I would like to strip my golden
oak finished kitchen and restaining them with a slightly darker colour. Is this possible or would the cabinets be spoty. Using a small sander, sand paper, and steal wool I have stripped the coating but the staining if it can be done I am afraid to do. Please advise me if it can be done, what type stain is the best and how iI can apply it .  Thank you.   Gord

Answer
Hi Gord
Nice to hear from you.
Gord this is certainly something that can be done, but some testing first with the stain to get the correct color.
Gord at this point it appears you have completely stripped the cupboards of all finish..correct? If all the finish is not completely off you will most certainly get spoty cupboards. So make sure its off.
You can then apply a seal coat before staining, to further ensure you get a consistent stain job, but my experience with these older oak cabinets is its often not needed. In most cases its not needed on new oak either in my experience.
The best way to know is by doing a test door.
You are going from golden oak to darker you say.
I would try the test without any sealer.
I would try Minwax special walnut mixed half with Minwax golden oak.
Do a little test. If its not dark enough, go to 3/4 special walnut to 1/4 golden oak. Just mix it using teaspoons at this test stage.
And perhaps you may like straight Special walnut..personally I do not like it straight on oak.
You apply Minwax stain with a rag. Then wipe back excess.
Dip your rag, then wipe straight accross the surface. If you stop half way across and move to another area, you will leave a stain overlap mark and you'll be back to sanding again.
About the sealers before staining.
My area is working with old wood, although in recent years I have become very interested in making new things.
I have never once in all my years of refinishing old furniture ever had to apply a sealer before staining. If it was something that was applied many many years ago on furniture I am unaware of it.
I am of the opinion that sealer is not needed on a lot of new wood if the sanding is done to perfection.
But its certainly needed on "some" new wood.
This has often made me wonder if the reason is because the antique furniture was made from virgin growth trees that had not been exposed to the air pollution that todays trees are.
New maple for instance is notorious for blotching and needs a sealer.
As does a lot of cherry and pine. But like I said, I have never had to use a sealer when refinishing old furniture.
Which leads me to your oak cabinets LOL...long way around.
You will have to be the judge of this yourself. Just apply your stain and see if you like the result.
And please get back to me if this is not 100% clear
Regards
Eileen