Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/30/2008

Question
Hi there.
I was given two pine nightstands. They are sturdy wood and have a light finish/stain on them. Very light not a poly. There is some damage to the tops where someone set a cup down and some scratches. I want to stain them dark like an espresso. What should I do before I paint/stain them? Just sand, if yes, with what kind of grit paper? And then is it better to paint with black or stain with a dark stain. What should I look for in a stain?
Thanks so much. I am trying to get them redone before my in laws come for thanksgiving
gina

Answer
Hi Gina
Nice to hear from you.
Although you may not detect it, these stands will surely have some type of finish.
Possibly only a worn oil finish but it will be there.
So you cannot attempt to stain until the stands have been stripped with paint stripper.
There should be no need to sand the bodies of the stands after stripping, but if there is damage to the tops of course it will need sanding.
Start with 120 grit paper. Then go over again with 220 paper.
This should suffice with pine.
Gina pine takes a stain readily so Minwax stain is great for it.
But pine is also prone to blotching and stain can look awful.
But I feel because these stands have been previously stained (and must look ok..right?), that restaining will be fine.
Minwax has color charts of their stains so check out a color you like.
Do a test of the color in a hidden area to see if it suits.
This dark expresso color seems to be the desired color choice.
Folks see this lovely color on new furniture and then want to duplicate it on old furniture.
I have to tell you what I tell everyone.
This color is not possible to achieve in the home by us do it your selfers. This color is sprayed by professionals using colored lacquers and a multi process.
So you will have to be content with an oil stain such as Minwax.
I think the darkest brown you will get is Minwax Special Walnut or dark walnut. But do some testing as I said.
The easy route of course is to paint.
No need to strip at all.
Just lightly sand the surfaces with 120 grit paper and paint.
If you can get a small can of black primer great but barring that two coats of black latex is fine as black covers so well.
Good luck with this.
Kind Regards
Eileen