Expert: Jamie Yocono - 1/22/2008

Question
I have a china cabinet that is about the color of oak. I would like it to look like it is stained. Can I purchase paint from the store so it looks like it is stained. Or do I have to go throughout the whole ordeal by sanding it down then staining it.

Answer
Hi Tiffany,

The answer to your question about staining your china cabinet isn't a simple one. I'll try to help, by explaining a few things about wood and finishing.

There are basically two types of wood finishes - penetrating ones that soak into the wood, and surface ones, that sit on top of the wood. A handrubbed Danish oil would be an example of a penetrating finish, while varnish and shellac are both surface finishes. Some protect better than others, some have advantages in certain situations, it really depends on the piece of furniture and it's intended use.

For example, all of the pieces I build have oiled finishes. They look and feel like wood, but demand a little more care and attention. I can't put a hot cup of coffee (or a cold beverage) on my desk or dining table without a coaster. Well...I could do it, but it's possible it could leave a mark, if it's there too long. But the advantage to using oiled finishes is that it makes the wood feel and look gorgeous, and damage is easy to repair. So if I get a scratch or a mark of some kind, I can sand it down, rub in a couple drops of oil, and it's instantly repaired. You can't really spot finish a varnished piece, you would have to refinish a much larger section of a piece to repair any damage.

OK, then what does all this mean to your china cabinet? Stains are traditionally penetrating finishes- meant to be applied to raw wood, where they will soak in and color the wood.  So the simple answer to your question is yes, if you want to stain your cabinet, the PROPER way to accomplish it is to sand it to a raw wood state, then apply the stain, and then apply some sort of protectant coat over it. Stain won't protect your wood, it simply colors it. It's like dye, in a way.

There is one possible type of finish that might be an exception to this, and those are called opaque stains. These are finishes that can be applied to the top of previously finished wood. This sort of finish does not soak in, it simply acts like paint in a way, to color the wood. But they are slightly transparent, so that the grain of the wood can still be seen.

I've just done a Google search to find a webpage for you to read more, but unfortunately, there is a lot of useless information out there! I've been doing this a long time and even I'M confused! But on this website (http://www.wrcla.org/installation_and_finishing/finishing_other_projects/opaque_...), I did see this:

Solid-Color Stains
Solid-color stains are opaque finishes with fewer solids than paint. Available in a wide spectrum of hues, solid-color stains obscure the woods true color but allow some of the natural characteristics and texture of cedar to remain. Solid-color stains perform best on textured surfaces. They are non-penetrating and, like paints, form a film. A stain-blocking primer should be applied first, followed by a 100% acrylic latex-based top coat.

From what I can tell, there aren't a lot of these type of stains out there, but I have used them a couple of times. You just have to look for them, or ask a reputable paint dealer. That means going to a dedicated paint store, not Home Depot or Lowes. That's not a put-down to their employees, but sometimes they're a little under trained in their product line.  

Here's another website to look at: http://www.realoakfloors.co.uk/osmo_wax_finish_opaque.php

This company apparently has a lot of exposure in the opaque stain market, but I can't tell if their stuff is sold in the US. I'd make some calls, and ask a lot of questions about substitute finishes, if you can't find the exact product you want.

So... the bottom line is.... yes, you can stain you piece without sanding it down. But you will use something more like a paint, than a stain. It will sit on the surface, and will be a little more delicate than stain, meaning it can scratch easily. I would put a top protectant coat over it (varnish, for example) once you get the piece to the color you want it.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com