Can You Re-Stain Wood?

Dulling the Wood

• The wood surface must be dulled by removing any varnish or stain. Use a 220-grit sandpaper to completely remove the varnish and then vacuum or wipe down the wood thoroughly. Use a microfiber cloth for the final wipe. If the wood is pre-1978 it may contain lead, so use caution. Older wood also must be cleaned extremely well or it could peel later. After cleaning the surface prime it with a dewaxed shellac that acts as a primer for the wiping stain. Allow the prime to dry thoroughly before proceeding with the stain.

Using an Oil-Based Wiping Stain

• Apply the wiping stain with a brush, not a rag. White China bristle brushes, which are very soft, are best for applying stain. Always apply the stain in the same direction as the wood grain. The grain refers to the natural lines that are in the wood. Be careful around joint areas; clean the areas and remember to stay with the wood grain or it will not dry looking smooth and natural. Go back over the areas with the brush to soften out and ensure an even coat of stain as needed.

Applying Varnish to Re-Stained Wood

• Varnish can be applied over the woodwork. The stain should be allowed to dry for 48 hours before applying a varnish over the restained wood. It is recommended that the stained surface should be covered with one coat of a dewaxed shellac before applying the varnish. The coat of shellac prevents the varnish from lifting the stain, as the stain could be very sensitive to mineral spirits at this point.

Tinted Varnish

• There are tinted varnishes that can be applied directly over wood surfaces called shading varnishes. This type of varnish, or urethane, changes the color of the wood, leaving an effect like looking through shaded lenses. A shading varnish is a transparent colored coat that can be applied directly over previously stained wood surfaces. The wood surfaces do not have to be dulled with sandpaper before applying the shading varnish.