Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/removing stain

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Expert: - 4/1/2008


Question
I have just applied a water-based gel stain to older white-washed oak cabinets.  The came out too dark and I want to remove the stain.  What should I use, sanding, stripping?
Thank you, Laura

Answer
Hi again Laura
Many thanks for the great ratings.
It makes helping others worthwhile.
Hope you have gotten the stain out of the grain.
It often happens that this will not come out.
I hope the new color will cover it.
Good Luck
Eileen


Hi Laura
Nice to hear from you.
I am thinking here that if you applied this gel stain over the white washed oak cabinets then perhaps it has not penetrated the wood.
So try a wash with mineral spirits.
Use medium steel wool pads as a scrubber.
Get back to me as I'm unsure of the process you used.
Regards
Eileen

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

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I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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