Most wood stains can be lightened by using mineral spirits. Apply the stain and then immediately wipe it off with a clean cloth moistened with mineral spirits. Reapply and wipe off until the desired color is achieved. Step Two: Try Bleach: wood stain thoroughly. The colour pigments are usually heavier than the solvent or water carrier so tend to be more concentrated at the bottom of the tin or container. This stain is rated with a very low V.O.C, comes in over 15 colours and is available in sample pots. So you can be 100% certain you’ve got the perfect colour for your timber.

The verdict: I started by trying it out on the very dark water stain under the coffee machine. After some scrubbing (the product comes as a powder that needs to be worked into the stain with a wet cloth or sponge), the stain had, much to my surprise, noticeably lightened. The verdict: This one was a bit hit and miss in all honesty. While it did nothing on the ingrained dark water stain, I did have huge success in removing white water rings from some bedside tables and all it took was a gentle rub. It also made a difference to some light water stains on the wooden frame of our bi fold doors so definintely worth a go on lighter, fresher stains.

Using a brush or cloth, apply the first coat of wood stain evenly, working with the grain. Apply the stain liberally, making sure you cover the surface well. A: To clean dark stained wood before painting it, just wipe down the surface with warm water and soap. Make sure that it dries completely before you start painting! Q: What kind of paint should I use if the original stain is water-based? Apply a second coat of wood stain to reinforce the depth and richness of the color. Use the same application technique as in step 3. Step 6: Wait for it to dry, and recoat if necessary. Weathered Oak by Minwax is my favorite light stain to use on oak wood. It has a very warm tone to it with ever so slight gray undertones. Water-based wood stains deliver an even colour and won’t absorb unevenly; they smell less and dry faster, usually within a couple of hours.

Once the wait is over, wipe the excess stain along the grain and allow the wood to dry for another 24 hours before proceeding to the next step.This obviously won’t be too much of an issue if you are planning on painting over the stain as the paint will cover it, but it is highly relevant if you are wanting to apply a new coating of stain – more on this below. 1. Preparing an Existing Timber Surface that’s Been Stained or Dyed Used Wood - If the wood is old, it may be painted or varnished. If so, remove any old coatings using a Paint & Varnish Remover first. These coatings will prevent the Wood Stain from soaking into the wood. If the wood has been treated with an oil or wax, wipe the surface down with thinners or mineral spirit to remove this. After removing the old finish, sand smooth with #100 Fine Sanding Pad.

Applying a coat of varnish will protect the surface beneath it and prevent water and moisture damage as well as light impact damage.

Cutting List

Using wood stain on external items and surfaces offers both homeowners and professionals several big advantages. For example, it prevents the wood from rotting if it hasn't already been sealed. It also protects wood from moisture and sun damage, preventing the wood from breaking in freezing temperatures and unsightly discolouration. My biggest problem with staining oak is that it is gorgeous to begin with! I prefer a very transparent stain that lets the gorgeous wood grain show through. Is it better to stain wood with a brush or rag? If, like many others, you are keen to keep your home chemical-free, you will be pleased to learn that many of the methods of removing water stains from wood can be carried out with natural products alone —kinder on you and the planet. There are plenty of positives and negatives to water-based stains. One of the big positives is that it is environmentally friendly, as it is nearly entirely made up from water.

If the wood was already treated, you must strip the existing finish first. You can use a chemical stripper to get through it faster. However, if it’s greasy or discolored, clean it with a special wood cleaner, rinse well, and let it dry completely. Classic Gray by Minwax is my favorite gray toned stain on oak! This is a great option if you want to take oak wood and transform it to have more of a cool tone to it. Take care when sanding wood. Wood that has been sanded evenly will produce an even colour. Poorly sanded wood is likely to produce a more patchy, uneven finish” Wood Stains and their Colours

Stain can darken or discolor the wood when it is applied. Here are some steps on how to lighten stain color, so you’ll get more desirable results. Step One: Try Mineral Spirits: Wood Finishes Direct Calculator to work out just how much is needed to avoid wastage. Solvent-Based The last method is to use an electric sander on your dark-stained wood. This will help you get rid of any splintered parts or rough edges, so it’s a great technique! The only downside is that this can result in over-sanding and damage your stain, so make sure not to press down too hard when using the sander! Method Nine: Try a Dark Stain for Wood After staining wood, you should finish the job by sealing the stain in with one of our Wood Waxes, Wood Varnishes or Wood Oils. These will enhance the colour of the stain further, provide additional protection and can be used to alter the finish to either satin or gloss. Wood Stain Options