How to Lighten a Dark Wood Stain
Whether you have just picked up a terrific-looking table at a flea market or garage sale or you want to perk up a piece of existing furniture that is too dark, lightening the finish will require some patience but is done easily at home. This task can bring new life and pizzazz to old furniture and make a small room look bigger and brighter.
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Things You'll Need
- Rags
- Safety gloves
- Ventilating mask
- Paint and varnish remover
- Mineral spirits
- Two-part A/B wood or furniture bleach
- Paintbrushes
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket
- Microfiber cloths
- 120-grit sandpaper
- 220-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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Set up a work area in a well-ventilated room. Use a fan blowing away from you, if necessary. Dust off the wood with a clean rag.
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2
Put on protective gloves and a mask. Pour some of the paint and varnish remover on to a rag and apply it generously onto the piece you want to lighten. Let it sit for a minute or two and then begin removing it with a clean rag.
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3
Pour some of the mineral spirits onto a clean rag and begin rubbing everywhere the paint and varnish remover touched. This will get rid of the residue from the paint and varnish remover. Allow the wood to dry for two days.
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4
Apply part A of the furniture bleach by using a paintbrush and painting in even layers starting from the bottom and working up. The piece might start to darken, but it will lighten when you put on part B. Finish applying part A and allow the piece to dry for seven or eight minutes.
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Apply the second part, B, the way you applied the first part, using a clean paintbrush. Use even, upward strokes starting from the bottom. Let the solution remain on the furniture for four hours.
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6
Make a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water in a bucket. Using microfiber cloths, wash the piece you bleached with the solution. Let dry for two days.
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Repeat all steps if you want the wood even lighter. Sand the finish using 120-grit sandpaper and then 220-grit. Once this is done you can refinish the piece any color you choose.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to do this project outdoors.
Bleaches and varnish removers can be highly toxic if inhaled for any length of time. Use a good ventilating mask.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
