Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/9/2009

Question
I want to restain my oak table that was finished with tung oil. I want to restain it a brown mahogany from the light color it is now. How can I remove the oil? or can I go over the oil with an oil based dark stain without bothering to remove the oil?

Answer
Hi Susan
Nice to hear from you.
To change stain color on any wood we must first remove the finish down to bare wood.
Removing an oil finish is no different than removing any finish only its easiest and less messy.
You need paint stripper to remove the oil finish.
But try a stain test on the bare underside of your table to make certain you can get the color you want. Its not always possible and it would be a shame to remove the finish only to find you cannot get your color.
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen