Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/minwax stain

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Expert: - 9/2/2009


Question
We just stripped our painted cupboards down to the bare wood which is oak. Should we use a prestain before staining? Also we wanted to do them in minwax water based wood stain and the color is white oak. Is this a good choice for stain for cupboards and will it hold up? Thank you Gail

Answer
Hi Gail
Nice to hear from you.
Personally I would not use pre stain on previously finished wood.
Just seems no need to do so.
Gail the choice of stain has absolutely nothing to do with holding up.
Its the finish you will apply over the stain that must hold up.
My personal preference for kitchen cupboards is always oil based stain followed by oil based poly as the finish.
But there is nothing wrong with the water based stain you want to use.
Great Question
Regards
Eileen

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Eileen Cronk

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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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