Can You Stain Over Stain? (Answered!)

Putting the finishing touches on a product made of wood can be done in several ways. 

Applying a stain is one method that can be used. But what should you do if the project already has a stain? 

You will now decide whether you want the stain to be darker or lighter, if you want to use the same stain or whether you want to change it to something other.

Our skilled woodworkers will answer questions about whether a stain can be applied on top of an existing stain to put your mind at ease.

VIDEO: How To Re-Stain A Deck?

 Is it Possible to Re-Stain Wood That Has Already Been Stained?

You can apply additional stain on top of an existing stain on the wood. 

This procedure is relatively easy to do as long as all of the necessary equipment is present.

 The advantage of doing a job involving staining is that you have complete control over the shades of wood produced. 

The application of a deeper wood stain is much simpler than that of a lighter one. You can blend and produce the bespoke stain in this manner.

Do I have to obliterate the previous stain before applying the new one?

When you follow the appropriate procedures and methods, it is only sometimes necessary to strip off the previous stain before applying a new one to the wood. 

However, to re-stain the surface, removing any protective top coat that may be present is essential.

 It is possible to avoid the stain being absorbed by the wood by applying protective layers such as polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. 

Using a stripper to remove the previous stain is all required to achieve the lighter hue you desire.

Can I Stain a Surface That Already Has a Finish on It?

Staining a wood surface will only produce the most outstanding results if removing the previous finish or stain applied to the wood. 

Applying a stain over an existing finish will result in a distinctive sheen but will not improve the finish’s functionality.

 For this reason, removing or sanding the previous finish and old stain is always recommended to reveal the bare wood to get the best results. 

This will reveal the grain of the wood. In addition, sanding opens up the wood grain, which allows the stain to penetrate the board more effectively.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Restaining Previously Stained Wood

The technique of re-staining wood with an existing stain is a straightforward one to complete. 

Having said that, it has a few benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, before beginning a project involving staining, it is essential to consider both these positives and negatives carefully.

 Pros

• Maintains the wood’s natural color, grain, and texture while allowing it to be seen.
• Deeply and thoroughly penetrates the wood grain
• Brings out the natural splendor of the wood.

 Cons

• The wood stain has a relatively short lifespan.
• Several types of wood could be better at holding or absorbing stains. In addition, paint is more predictable than wood stains.

What Kinds of Wood Stain Are There, and Which Should You Use?

Numerous types of stains may be purchased in stores today. 

On the surface of a piece of wood that already has a stain, applying a stain that is either water- or oil-based can assist in developing a darker shade of that stain.

You should be aware that different stains provide your wood items with a variety of colors as well as a sense of warmth.

 The following is a list of the several traditional stains that are available so that you may choose the one that is most suitable for you:

 Gel

Gel stain has a thicker consistency. There are two types of bases for gel stain: varnish and oil.

It is common knowledge that they are pigmented wood stains that, after drying, leave a coating on the surface of the wood.

Gel stain does not get deep into the wood’s pores and instead forms a film on the top once it has had enough time to dry. 

As a result, they help stain over existing stains. Gel stain can also be utilized to cover up previously applied stains, paints, or stains that are already present.

It is recommended that a skinny coat of gel stain be applied to the surface of the wood before beginning the application process. 

To keep the coating thin and uniform, wipe away any excess using a rag. 

Drying will take significantly longer when there is a thick film of the gel stain, and there is also the possibility that drying issues will occur. 

Ensure that your area of employment has adequate ventilation, and always remember to wear protective gear. Because of their consistency, gel stains can be pretty messy.

 Oil Based Stain

 Stain for wood that is oil-based is one of the most common types of traditional stain for wood that can be purchased today. The various oil based wood stain may consist of dye or a dye in combination with a resin binder. 

This ensures that the pigment will adhere to the wood surface or wood floor to its fullest extent.

Linseed oil and many other natural oils are often included in the ingredient list of oil-based stains, although only sometimes. 

Linseed oil has a hue similar to that of a yellow mustard seed and is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Because of its composition, it is user-friendly and an alternative suitable for usage on table tops.

 Only a few types of wood treatments are suitable for use on surfaces that will come into contact with food.

 However, certain stains may include dangerous solvents, so it is highly recommended that you review the safety procedures before applying the stain. In addition, a stain that is oil-based takes a long time to dry.

Water Based Stain

 The majority of water-based stains are considered to be environmentally benign because they do not include any solvents. 

Using water to assist in cleaning up your desk makes this task far more accessible. In addition, when opposed to oil stains, these stains dry far more quickly.

 Water-based stains are made up of water-soluble pigments and water, which act as a solvent and are thinner. 

Water-based stains are the most common type of deck boards stain. Unfortunately, this kind of stain does not penetrate deeply into the wood grain, and as a result, it does not offer very much protection.

You could add solvents, such as lacquer, to the stain to prevent it from drying out completely. These solvents will have the effect of slowing down the drying time of the stain that is water-based.

Be very careful when using these solvents because they tend to dilute the color of the stain, resulting in a stain that is only partially opaque.

 Lacquer And Varnish

 It is not uncommon for lacquers and varnishes to be made with pigments that produce an effect virtually identical to wood stains. 

Lacquers and varnishes, on the other hand, produce a coat that dries to a transparent film and serves to both protect and seal the wood.

The term “polyurethane varnish” can also refer to varnish wood stains. Stains made of polyurethane are an example of an artificial resin. When the varnish is applied to a surface, that surface becomes resistant to acid spills and other chemicals after the varnish has been applied.

 For the most effective application, it is advised to make use of a brush. It would help if you used spray paint to achieve the smoothest and most professional-looking finish possible. 

After the process, the varnish will have already hardened into a layer that provides protection, so there is no need to apply a finishing coat.

 Colored Stain

 The powder is the most common form of a water-soluble dye stain, which becomes a solution once it has been mixed with water. It is available in a wide variety of colors for your selection. 

These once served the purpose of dyes for textiles but have now been put to another use.

The dye stain only partially obscures the natural appearance of the wood. 

Compared to other kinds of stains, the dye stain’s pigmentation makes it simpler to work with than those other stains. 

Because the pigments in this stain might be damaged by ultraviolet light, it is recommended to be used on pieces of wood that will be kept inside.

Six Easy Steps to Staining Wood That Has Already Been Stained

It is common knowledge among hobbyists and craftspeople who work with wood that adding a stain on top of an existing stain is possible. 

However, some processes must be carried out to get the desired level of darkness or lightness in the stain.

When it is time for you to make the required adjustments to the current stain on your wood pieces, you first select the stain you will employ. It will be easier to touch up your furniture if you follow these procedures.

 The Instruments and Components That You Will Need

To successfully stain over your wooden items, you will need to gather the following tools and materials:

 The stain for the wood that you would like.

• Sealer \Sander
• Hand gloves
• a wet piece of scrap cloth
• lint-free rags
• Cloth for tacks and a foam brush
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Steel wool

Step 1: Get the wooden surface and your workspace ready to go.

 It would help if you got ready to work by cleaning the area you’ll be using and removing anything that might get in the way of the operation. 

This will allow for unlimited movement within the workstation and the creation of additional space.

 On top of the floor lay a few pieces of plastic or plastic sheeting. 

Because of this, the floor will be protected from any unintentional spills. If items in the room cannot be relocated, you should cover the surfaces of those items with newspapers or more extensive material.

 Before applying the stain to the wood, ensure it has been well prepared and cleaned.

 In addition to that, get rid of any attachments and embellishments that might be there. Finally, removing the doors, drawers, and other hardware from the cabinets is necessary before staining them.

 After removing the old finish, you can begin sanding the surface. 

A smoother finish can be achieved by lightly sanding the surface, removing imperfections, and smoothing it. 

Sand the surface of the wood in the same direction as the natural grain. It is in your best interest to sand down to the raw wood.

Step 2: Get ready and mix the stain.

 Get the stain ready so that it may be applied to the surface of the piece of painted wood. 

You can even mix stains to create a new one that will make the wooden object you’re working with seem stunning.

 Step 3: Remove the Stain

 After the wood has been cleaned, sanded, and allowed to dry, dark stain it by dipping a clean, moist tack cloth into the stain. 

Then, apply the wood stain to the surface of the wood gently. Ensure the stain penetrates every part of the surface before applying it.

Apply as many additional layers as required to ensure the stain is fully absorbed. Additionally, any excess stain should be removed if it can be found.

 Give the stain a chance to set in place on the surface for fifteen minutes. We recommend reading the product information for the drying times to achieve the best possible outcomes. 

The longer it takes for the material to dry, the darker its color will become.

Put on clothes you do not mind getting dirty and stained while working. Before applying the stain, make sure you have latex or rubber gloves. 

Once the stain has made contact with the skin and become embedded in the pores, it is tough to remove.

Step 4: Apply another coat (Optional)

After the deck stain has had ample time to dry thoroughly, you should evaluate the stain color to determine whether or not you are pleased with it. You can re-stain the best wood by following the abovementioned techniques if you are not satisfied with the result or if you like a darker hue. This will allow you to achieve any of these goals.

Before continuing, give the wood at least 18 to 24 hours to dry completely. Scuff sanding in between applications and before each application is another something that is recommended to do.

Step 5: Give the surface some time to harden.

Give the stain some time to dry thoroughly on the surface. It is essential to read the instructions on the product label regarding the drying and curing durations.

Step 6: Applying Finishing Coats (if Necessary)

After achieving the desired level of smoothness, you may apply finishing coats to the surface of the wooden object.

A finishing coat is a transparent top coat that is applied over a surface that has been stained. After the stain is allowed to dry completely, you can apply this coat.

The clear polyurethane finish that is applied to scrap wood provides the surface with protection against scuffs and discoloration. 

You can determine the appropriate amount of coats to apply to the surface by reading the instructions on the product label. 

You will receive finished wood that has been finished to a very high standard.

FAQ on Can You Stain Over Stain