I bought a bookshelf made out of ash veneer that I want to stain darker. How should I do it?

Question

The bookshelf is a dark reddish brown. I want to make it a dark brown/almost black. Can I use a gel stain? Do I have to sand it a lot or just a little to get the stain to stick? Any ideas?

Answer 1

it all depends on how think the veneer is.....some r just a 1/16  inch thick and u will ruin it.....

lic. gen. cntractor

Answer 2

Try a light to medium light varnish!  It will work wonders when you stain, and it also cuts back on the number of coats you need to apply.  Be sure to stain in a well-ventilated area, but not where a coat will dry up before you get the whole unit stained, otherwise you will be able to see where the wet stain overlapped the dry stain.

You also need to make sure that there is no laquer alredy on the unit, as this will often times, after getting wet from the stain, will mix with the stain and put off a noxous gas.  Also, the stain wont take.  Be sure to remove any laquor if this is the case.  But if you have to remove laquor before staining, light or medium light varnish wouldn't be the way to go.  In this case you need to get what's called post-laquor stain, or max-varnish.  I havn't seen max-varnish in a while though - it was a brand that might be done now.  But you can find some really good post-laquor stains by Bridgeport, or Kelly-Wessen for some pretty good prices sometimes!  Good luck!

Answer 3

Look at ur bookshelf...If it's shiney..most likely it's got varnish. U have to remove the existing varnish on the bookshelf before any gel or stain will stick.  Get a small can of varnish remover and apply it on.  Then leave the remover on for 3-4 hr.  U have to scrap the old varnish off.  After the work is done.  Than u can light sand the whole bookself and varnish the way u want it.

Answer 4

Like the guy above me said, if it's actually veneer, be careful on how much you sand on it.  Veneer is thin and if you get to crazy, you'll go right through it.  If there is a topcoat on it - poly, varnish - you'll have to remove it.  After it is removed, try in a hidden spot of just applying the stain over what is already on it.  Sometimes that will give you what you want.  If not, you'll have to sand some of it out, regarding what I just told you.  Suggest that you add a topcoat after you're done restaining - poly of varnish.  Follow the instructions on the can.

Answer 5

Apply a coat of varnish stain the color of your liking. Varnish stain has stain and varnish in one aplication and will adhere to existing varnish no need to strip