Things You'll Need:
- Depends on what you wish to achieve.
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Step 1
BLEACHING
Try out your bleach solution first on an unobtrusive area remembering that it will appear darker when wet.
If your wood is stained in places or you wish to lighten the color slightly, you can use a regular household bleach.
Mix it with water as you would if you were bleaching very dirty clothes.
WEARING RUBBER GLOVES AND A PROTECIVE APRON, sponge it on generously or brush it in.
Wait half an hour and then wipe down the wood with an undiluted white vinegar to neutralize.
Rinse with clear water. -
Step 2
An even more effective solution can be made with one quart of water and four ounces of oxalic acid crystals.
Mix well and apply as with the household bleach.
Again, neutralize with white vinegar and rinse with clear water.
If neither of the above methods is effective, you can purchase much stronger commercial preparations. These usually involve two steps. Follow directions carefully regarding application and neutralization.
Commercial bleaches are strong but can make a remarkable change in the color of wood if this is what you wish. -
Step 3
STAINING
Stains are available in many shades so choose well.
There are penetrating stains that have dye in an oil, alcohol or water. These will penetrate the wood and show up the grain.
Non-penetrating stains will sit on the surface of the wood and tend to cover the grain. -
Step 4
First try out a bit of the stain on a wood like the one you are staining.
If the colour is too strong, dilute it with a suitable solvent.
If the color appears blotchy or uneven, seal your wood before application. -
Step 5
An oil-based stain will always be the easiest to work with.
You can either brush or sponge on. Do this in even rows so you do not overlap and darken these areas.
If you are using a penetrating stain, allow it to set briefly and then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth.
The longer you allow it to set, the darker the stain will be. It pays to try this out first on an unobtrusive area.
Start with a light coat and build up to the shade that you want.
Allow the stain to dry completely between coats.
Once you are satisfied with the shade, allow your work to dry at least for 24 hours or as long as specified. -
Step 6
If you are using a non-penetrating stain, wait until the finish looks dull before you wipe off the excess.
Again, repeat the procedure until you are satisfied with the color. Allow to dry between coats. -
Step 7
The penetrating alcohol-based stains dry the fastest. They can be brushed or sprayed on. For small jobs a brush is adequate. For larger jobs spraying is effective but does take some skill.
If you choose a water-based stain you will have to mix the water and powder yourself. Because the water raises the grain, the wood must be sanded once it is dry. With the water involved, it is extremely difficult to avoid overlapping strokes and thus an uneven stain.
Lacquer, varnish and shellac stains are also available. They do combine staining and finishing in one step, but staining separately does give you a richer color.
