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The Kitchen Table

I Have A Question About Staining a Piece of Furniture?

17 years ago

I know some other forum might give me an answer, but I think this forum is quicker to answer. I have in my bathroom a piece of unfinished furniture. It is all drawers except on one side a door with shelves inside. It is probably Mission style. Anyway it was a display piece at Lowe's and then they sold it. My problem is stain won't penetrate it as it has some sort of clear sealer on it. I really didn't want to paint it and I can't get the sealer off. My question is, is there a wax with stain in it that might be rubbed on it? I don't care for the natural wood, I believe it is oak. I don't mind the satin look. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Sue

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Comments (3)

azzalea
17 years ago
Actually, that's not unfinished--it's natural, from what you're describing, but sounds like it does have a finish.

I don't know if a wax would work, either. Guess you could give the dark Old English a try, if you aren't worried about what happens to the piece, but that mainly works best on scratches, where it can penestrate the wood itself, don't know how much color change you'd get with a finished piece. But you can buy finish (varnish or shellac--I forget which--it's been years since I've used it) that has stain added to it. That would probably be the quickest, easiest way to go, IF it will work on the finish already on your piece. I'd start with a very small sample can of product and try it on an unobtrusive part of the piece to see how it will work, if it's compatible with the finish already on the piece, and if you like the color (they can look very different at home, than in the store, depending upon what you put them on).
jannie
17 years ago
Either sand the piece. Yeah, I know, a lot of work-or paint it with a matte paint. You may be happy with a bright color. Or paint the main piece white and do the drawer fronts in bright colors-perhaps a rainbow effect. Have fun! kcolorful
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western_pa_luann
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Yep - not much will penetrate the sealer (which makes it a finished piece, not unfinished as mentioned in the OP).

Either sand... or prime & paint, as jannie said.

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