Expert: Jamie Yocono - 8/16/2007

Question
I ve just bought a house and I would like to change the stain on the banister to a darker colour.  I believe there is also a varathane finish on it.  Is there an easier way to do that than actually chemically stripping it, or is there something i can apply directly to what is existing?? I appreciate any suggestion you have. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Nikki,

It's possible to stain your bannister to make it darker, but you'll need to strip off the varnish first. Varnish is a surface finish, meaning that it sits on the surface of the wood, providing a layer of protection. Unfortunately for you, this also means that it seals the pores of the wood. Stain can't penetrate the pores, so that's why you'll have to strip the finish first.

Mt best suggestion would be to strip it, stain it to the color desired, and then reapply some varnish for that final layer of protection against wear and tear.

Another suggestion would be to strip it, and use a Danish Oil, such as a Watco product, to achieve the color you want. Watco is available in about a dozen colors, so you should be able to find something that works. The reason I suggest Watco is that when you apply it, you can sand it right into the wood, thus working it into the pores and eliminating any rough spots that you missed in the stripping process.

A couple coats of Watco would do the trick, no varnish necessary. I use Watco on everything from flooring to kitchen cabinets. It's very easy to apply, and quite easy to maintain, as well.

Good luck, hope this helps,

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com