Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/26/2008

Question
Hi, I have a hardwood kitchen table I would like to restain.  The colour at present is a light brown with a lacquer finish to it. I would like to stain it a chocolate brown colour.  Is this a big job or is it a case of sanding back to the timber and restaining?  I appreciate your time.  Cheers, Jenny.

Answer
Hi Jenny
Nice to hear from you.
In all cases where we wish to restain, all the existing finish must be removed.
That means stripping down to the bare wood with paint stripper.
There is no other way.
You ask if this is a big job. The answer is no.
Jenny this on its own would inspire one to get out the paint stripper and have a go.
Unfortunately in the case of your table what you wish to achieve is just not possible for us "do it yourselfers" to achieve in the home.
Your hardwood table which you describe as having a light brown lacquer finish will just not accept this dark chocolate brown color you want.
Its because the wood is too dense to absorb stain.
The only way its possible is to send it out to a pro to be sprayed with a colored lacquer. This is likely how your light brown color was applied.
Any chance you could send a picture of the table to be 100% certain this can't be done?
Get back to me.
Kind Regards
Eileen