Stain over stain question... again

So this is my question about putting a stain over a stain...

I have a piece of furniture made of pine that has a light brown stain on it. I have sanded the furniture but not stripped the stain off entirely. I have a darker stain that I want to put on and perfect consistency of the stain isn't necessary.

So can anyone explain to me what the issue is with putting stain over stain? Will it just not have flawless consistency or will the new stain rise up and revolt against me?

Thanks for your help,
Steve

 

Wood stains are formulated to be absorbed by raw wood and don't dry well if there isn't enough absorption. Stain applied over sealed wood won't dry well. It might be dry to the touch but when you apply poly/varnish over it, the poly will rewet the stain causing it to lift or be moved around.

If you want to use stain you need to completely strip the wood. This is best done by using a chemical stripper followed by sanding. Another option is to use a tinted poly like Minwax's PolyShades. It can be a little tricky to apply but will alter the color of the finished wood. Since there is color in the poly you can't touch it up, overbrush or get any drips, sags or lapmarks. It's always best to finish with a coat of clear poly to protect the color from wear.

 

Thanks for the information, that's exactly what I wanted to know! Decision making time...