Having wooden pieces in the comfort of your home adds elegance and a certain flair. To enhance the beauty of your pieces, you can restain the wood to make it darker and look new.
However staining can be a daunting and challenging task, but with the right techniques, you can make the job easier. So, our woodworkers outlined effective ways how to stain wood darker.
Staining Wood Darker: 7 Easy Ways
Method #1: Coarse-Sanding the Wood
Use sandpaper with a coarser grit to sand out the wood’s surface. A 120-grit or 150-grit will do the job perfectly, allowing the wood to absorb more stains. This method results in a rougher texture on the wood’s surface.
Make sure to prevent scratches on the wood with light sanding. Furthermore, sand along the wood grain direction.
Method #2: Adding More Pigment to the Wood Stain
Another method is adding more pigment to the stain, allowing more colorant per unit. Increasing the pigment-to-vehicle ratio ensures a darker stain on the wood’s surface.
Make sure to use the same types of stains and pigments. Oil-based stains perform well with an oil-based pigment. So, we recommend using Japanese color pigments for your oil-based stain.
Similarly, a water-based stain performs well with the same water-based pigment. Test the stain first on a block of scrap wood before you proceed with the process. Opt to use a universal color pigment for water-based stains.
Method #3: How to Test the Stain on a Wood Scrap
Test it on a wood scrap before performing any step. Apply a small amount of the product on a scrap material similar to the wood you wish to darken.
Make sure to let the wood dry completely to see accurate results. Once you are happy with the resulting color, you can proceed to the main wooden piece.
Method #4: Applying Glaze After the Wood Stain and Sealer
You can stain wood darker by applying glaze after the stain and sealer. A glaze or a gel stain is known to contain a higher pigment-to-vehicle ratio. A layer of gel stain is enough to darken the wood’s surface.
A glaze can either be oil-based or water-based. So ensure to use the same types of gel stain and glaze. Its notable thick consistency allows ease of control and can be left on the surface for longer.
Method #5: Spraying a Toner
You can spray some toner to stain wood darker. Toners create a translucent coat resulting in a lightly colored wood surface. Apply the toner in between coats after staining the wood.
Method #6: Utilizing Dye Rather Than Oil Stain
To achieve a darker wood you can opt for ready-to-use dyes rather than oil stains to achieve a darker wood.
Dyes come in either powder or liquid forms, and a liquid stain is known as TransTint liquid dye or non-grain raising (NGR). Powdered dyes are compatible with either alcohol or water.
Dye stains are an effective way to darken pieces. So, applying multiple coats on the wood will ensure you achieve a darker color.
Method #7: Wiping the Excess Wood Stain
Wiping the excess stain can result in an evenly stained surface, so wipe it off gently. This way, the wood will cure longer and become darker.
How to Choose the Right Wood Stain
Once applied, the stain soaks into the pores of the wood’s surface. Bearing this in mind, the wood can be stained dark based on the amount of stain it can absorb. This can become challenging since some wood species might be more porous than others.
Recommended Dark Stain For Wood
Our woodworkers highly recommend the Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain for various projects that entail staining.
The Varathane Premium fast dry stain effectively brings out the beauty of natural wood with one coat. It has excellent coverage and dries approximately in an hour.
Aside from using the best stain, consider using a high-quality finish if you’re working with kitchen tables and other wooden items in your galley.
Using Gel Stain for Less Rough Woods
You can use a dark-colored gel stain for less rough woods and less porous ones. It can stain darker even if it is not absorbed into its pores.
Read Next:
How to Use Gel Stain to Make Wood Darker
For staining wood finishing using a gel stain, refer to the following steps:
Tip: More gel stain coats can be used on dense woods.
Tools and Materials Needed
- Natural bristled chip brush
- Lint-free rag or tack cloth
- Gel stain
- 120-grit and 220-grit of sandpaper
- Rubber gloves
- Wood conditioner
- Safety goggles
- Protective face mask
- Dark-colored wood stain
- Wood finish (oil-based polyurethane)
Step #1: Ready Your Work Area
Before proceeding with this process, make sure to prepare your workstation. You will need to sand the area and use certain chemicals. Thus, make sure to choose a well-ventilated space for this reason. For good measure, cover the area with a drop cloth to catch any drips and spills.
Step #2: Ensure the Wood is Clean (For Old Woods)
If you are working on old wood, ensure it’s clean, and remove contaminants found on the surface. Also, eliminate oil and grease before staining. However, you can skip this step if you are working on new and bare wood.
Step #3: Sand the Wood Using Coarse Sandpaper
Wear a protective pair of goggles and a mask to protect and prevent yourself from inhaling the wood powder. We also recommend you wear gloves to prevent the stain from coming in contact with your skin. Lastly, sand the wood using 120-grit of sandpaper.
Step #4: Sand the Wood Using a Fine-grit Sandpaper
Now, sand the wood using a coarse sandpaper or sanding block. This will result in a rough surface, so work in the direction of the wood grain to prevent from making any marks and scratches.
Step #5: Apply Gel Stain, then Wipe
Apply a generous and even coat of gel stain using a natural bristled chip brush, but be careful about making brush marks. Allow the gel to sit for some time before you wipe off the excess stains using a cloth.
Here are some tips to help you:
- Tip #1: Apply the stain layer within the grain. Wipe along the wood grain to get a clean wood finish.
- Tip #2: Work in small areas at a time.
- Tip #3: Be patient and refrain from adding more gel stains on the recently wiped-off stains.
Step #6: Dry it for 24 Hours
Allow the gel stain to dry for 24 hours. You can add multiple thin coats of the gel stain once it has completely dried off.
Step #7: Re-stain if Needed
You can opt to re-stain if you are unsatisfied with the color.
Step #8: Protect the Wood Surface by Applying Polyurethane Wood Finish
Protect the wood surface by applying a thin coat of polyurethane [1] wood finish. This clear coat keeps the dark color for a longer time.
Applying a coat of polyurethane wood finish also reinforces the wood furniture against water and discoloration.
Using Coffee to Intensify Wood Stain
You can use coffee to darken the wood stains. Coffee is a natural stain and is an effective method to darken the wood.
Materials Needed
- Coffee
- 120-grit and 220-grit sandpaper
- A rag or paintbrush
Step #1: Get Dark Coffee
Brew yourself a strong cup of coffee. Pour the coffee into a bowl and allow it to cool down.
Step #2: Sand the Wood
Sand and scuff-sand the entire wood’s surface using 120-grit sandpaper. Then, wipe off the wood dust using a lint-free rag.
Step #3: Stain the Wood
Stain the wood with the coffee-darken stain using a rag or a paintbrush. Apply the first coat slightly to avoid spills, and cover the entire area with the stain.
Allow the wood to set for approximately 15 minutes before you can apply the second coat of the same stain when necessary.
Using Tea and Vinegar to Intensify Wood Stain
You can also use tea and vinegar to darken the wood stains. Follow these easy steps:
What You Need
- Black tea bags
- Fine-grit steel wool
- Boiling water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brush
- Lint-free cloth
Step #1: Get the Wood Stain
You will need to make iron acetate. Steel wool soaked in a jar of vinegar and water solution for two to three days will do the trick.
Once it is ready, pour 2 cups of boiling water into a heat-resistant container. Add three or more tea bags and allow the mixture to soak for approximately two hours.
Step #2: Scuff-sand the Wood
Using 220-grit sandpaper, proceed to sand the surface to clean and prepare it. Then proceed to use a rag to clean off the wood dust.
Step #3: Apply the Stain on Wood
Apply the stain onto the entire surface of the wood and allow it to set for an hour. Using a chip brush, apply the iron acetate evenly along the grain. The iron acetate will react to the tannins resulting in darker colors.
Step #4: Dry the Wood and Stain More if Needed
Allow the finished wood to dry for approximately an hour. You can opt to make reapplications until you have achieved your desired darkness.
Step #5: Apply a Protective Wood Finish
Wipe off debris once the stain is completely dried on the wood surface. You can apply a protective finish on the stained wood or use oil or wax to seal it.
Can all Stains Make Wood Darker?
All stains are formulated to darken any wood. But it may require several coats to achieve your desired color.
Extra Tips to Go from Medium to Dark Wood Stain
Here are additional steps to go from medium to dark wood stain.
Double Coat the Stain
Double-coat the stain until you have achieved your desired stain color.
Allow the Wood to Absorb the Stain for a Certain Amount of Time
Allow the stain to be absorbed by the wood grain. This will allow the stain and resulting color to last longer.
Staining Old Wooden Furniture Darker
When staining old wooden furniture darker, lightly sand it first to remove oil and grease on the surface.
Also Check: Make Your Plywood Smooth and Shiny With These Tips
Conclusion
Enhancing the beauty of wood furniture or hardwood floors need not be difficult. A simple wood staining job will result in a darker coloring of your wooden pieces. We hope this article has helped you find ways how to stain wood darker in time for your next home and wood project.
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