Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/14/2009

Question
Hi Eileen,I bought a new dark brown headboard  and am trying to stain my old furniture to match.  I bought Minwax Dark Walnut stain.  The employee at the hardware store said I should just scuff the surface with a Scotch Brite pad since it is not solid wood and has a veneer finish.  After scuffing it and cleaning it I let it dry.  Then I tried to brush on the stain it reacted like it was wet and it got some fisheyes, so I wiped off the stain.  I know it is from the furniture polish I used on it over the years.  I tried wiping it down with paint thinner, but that didn't help.  Do you have any suggestions?  Mineral Spirits?

Answer
Hi Karen
Nice to hear from you.
I understand what you want to accomplish here Karen.
I know you fully understand this is not the correct way to go about getting a darker stain but I also understand this is strickly old furniture and you just want to try to spruce it up and have it match better.
I am pretty sure this is not just a stain you are applying but a poly with a stain in it..correct?
I think you are pretty smart to catch on right away that the fisheye was caused from wax.
The paint thinner or mineral spirits (basically either one is fine for this) is correct but use a medium grade steel wool pad dipped in it as a scrubber.
This will scuff and remove any wax in one operation. Dry as you go with clean rags.
Karen even if this is just a stain you are applying it should not fish eye after this scrub.
And if it is just stain, always apply it with a rag. Not a brush. Wipe back excess with a clean rag. I have often seen stain applied with a brush fish eye even on a clean surface. Have no idea why but it happens.
Good Luck and great question.
Regards
Eileen