Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello! I have decided to re-stain our ugly bedroom set.  It is oak (I think ) and is presently an orangy-brown.  I would like it to be that great dark espresso color I see everywhere these days.  Do I need to remove the existing finish, sand, lift the grain, restain and reseal it or can I skip some of these steps I have read about?  I am not sure where to start.  Thank you in advance!    Annette

ANSWER: Hi Annette
Nice to hear from you.
If you are determined, have the time and space this could be a wonderful project.
I will help you along the way if you need it.
The only thing that concerns me is the color you hope to achieve and I don't want you to be disappointed if you can not achieve it.
The finishing process in the home is a lot different than in the factory.
There they can spray the shade you want to achieve.
You cannot do this in the home.
And if this set is actually oak I doubt you can make it dark espresso.
You may however be able to go some darker.
Would you be willing to do a small test area in a hidden place?
Thats the only way to know what the final result will be.
Get a small can of stripper and strip a little area.
Then try some dark stain. See if and how the color changes.
If the test suits, then you can proceed.
Then you need to strip, stain and seal.
Stripping is the hardest part. The rest is easy.
And there is no sanding if you use the correct stripper.
This stripper is my choice
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN
Please get back to me.
Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Eileen!  Thanks for responding to  my question.  Looks like you may be right about achieving the color I want, I stripped one of the night tables and applied a water based stain darkened for  me by a nice man at the hardware store but after two coats and waiting overnight I was force to wipe most of it off to get the thing to dry.   Did I not get enough the old finish off for the new color to penetrate?  Should I try again with a oil based stain and top coat before beginnng on the other pieces?  I have halted production until I hear from you!  The new color is an improvement but I hope I can do better!  Thank you in advance.............. Annette

Answer
Hi again Annette
I really think you got the finish off OK if you used paint stripper as directed.
I think you messed up with the stain.
Use an oil based stain not a water based one.
Try Minwax Special walnut color.
You apply a coat with a rag.
Wait a few minutes then rub back excess.
Wait over night to dry.
You can try applying another coat but in most cases the color will not change much.
Annette this is why the testing is so important.
Just get a tiny can of the minwax and do a little test area.
You can also try a gel stain if the minwax fails.
I often tell folks that I live in a little rural area and don't have access to all the products available and gel stain is one of the things I cannot buy at my hardware.
A few years back they carried it and because no one purchased it (but me on rare occasion LOL ), they discontinued it.
So try the Minwax first, then the gel if Minwax fails.
And keep me posted.
Regards
Eileen