Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/29/2009

Question
I recently stripped the varnish from two end tables and my coffee table. I am trying to restain them but the wood wont absorb the stain. It remains a very light brown and a very dry feeling. I've used rags to try to get the stain in good but it doesnt work. Im pretty sure the wood is pine. What can I do to effectively apply the stain?

Answer
Hi Maros
Nice to hear from you.
What you are experiencing is very common.
This happens with very hard woods like maple.
Your tables will not be made of pine which is a softwood and absorbs stain very well if the wood has been properly stripped with paint stripper.
The type of stain you choose can make a difference too.
Oil stain will not take well to some hardwoods (I'll bet thats what you used).
Gel stain is a bit better so look for that and try a test on the underside of a table.
Dye stain is another type of stain and works really well when all others fail but its not something you can just purchase at the hardware (not in my area at least) and takes some practice to use.
So if you are sure the wood has been properly stripped, try the gel stain.
It could be you will have to be happy with a lighter color.
You can also have your tables sprayed professionally with a colored lacquer (likely what was on originally).
Good Luck
Eileen