DIY help required, please!
I have a wood banister in my house along with a wood mantle and some wood trim along my cupboards and stairs. It's not a color I like. I want it darker.
Do I know what kind of wood it is? Not really. I think it's oak. I googled it, it looks very much like the pictures of oak that came up (yes, this is how clueless I am on this subject).
I am hoping some great DIYer out there in blogland (and Twitter) can help me! Can I stain it darker no matter what kind of wood it is? Can I just sand it and then stain it until it looks like as dark as I want it to? Do I need to seal it after I stain it?
Advise please or I will just start sanding it and staining like a mad woman and might regret it.
And what kind of stain should I use?
I am not a handy girl, as much as I want to be...I truly could ruin all the wood in my house if someone doesn't step in here...
Anyone, anyone?
Do I know what kind of wood it is? Not really. I think it's oak. I googled it, it looks very much like the pictures of oak that came up (yes, this is how clueless I am on this subject).
I am hoping some great DIYer out there in blogland (and Twitter) can help me! Can I stain it darker no matter what kind of wood it is? Can I just sand it and then stain it until it looks like as dark as I want it to? Do I need to seal it after I stain it?
Advise please or I will just start sanding it and staining like a mad woman and might regret it.
And what kind of stain should I use?
I am not a handy girl, as much as I want to be...I truly could ruin all the wood in my house if someone doesn't step in here...
Anyone, anyone?
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI previously worked in cabinetry. Your banister is most likely oak (based on what city you live in.) You can certainly stain oak easily to a nice dark colour. The dark grain in oak will stain darker than the rest of the wood. The process would be:
1. Sand, sand, sand and sand some more. If there is any finish left on your banister the stain will not take evenly.
2. Choose a "wipeoff stain" from your local hardware store....something like Dark Walnut (if you want dark.) You wipe this on with a rag soaked in the stain, let it stand for a minute or two and then wipe off with a clean rag. You will need a lot of clean rags for a whole banister.
3. Apply a finish. Most likely you will use a brush on varnish. Ask your hardware store for something durable. You will probably have to do two coats.
Best of luck!
Kirsten