Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/27/2007

Question
I have a veneer bedroom set from the early 1950's and would like to update it to a modern look of a dark brown finish with brushed nickel hardware. So far I have used a stripper to remove the finish and sanded the pieces, which have turned out to be a very smooth finish. The problem is that the stain will not absorb on most of the veneer but did in just certain spots. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Debra
Nice to hear from you.
I like this question Debra as it highlights a problem that so many people run into.
Often we think that we can change the color of wood by stripping it and applying stain.
Certainly in some cases this is possible, but not all.
Your case is an example.
Some wood will just not absorb stain (yours is one)
I will suggest that your veneer is maple. Maple in many cases will not absorb stain. Its just too dense.
So now you are stuck with a bedroom set that you want darker....what to do?
Well you could certainly take the set to a shop that sprays colored lacquer. You can pick your color, but with colored lacquer, the darker you go the more the wood is obscured because the color is in the finish not the wood.
Also there is such a thing as dying wood. The dye is called analine dye.
This is something I have never gotten into but theres lots of info available on line.
Heres some info. Be advised that I understand the same problems exist when dying certain woods as they do with staining certain wood.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=anilin...
Gather all the info you can before deciding.
Personally I would go the lacquer route.
Good Luck and a terrific question which I enjoyed helping you with.
Regards
Eileen