How to Darken Light Oak Wood Cabinets

Remove the cabinet door from its hinges, and place it on the saw horses. Remove any decorative hardware from the doors, and set the pieces aside. Keep the screws and the decorative hardware in a covered container for safekeeping.

Use a coarse sandpaper to completely remove the light finish from the cabinets. Start with an 80-grit sandpaper, and continue sanding until the entire finish is removed. You may need to change to a finer grain sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove any remaining light-colored stain.

Wipe away the sawdust with a damp cloth, or vacuum it off of the cabinets. Dry the cabinets with a soft cloth.

Run your hand over the surface of the cabinet to make sure it is completely smooth. Sand the surface again if there are any sharp edges.

Place a large drop cloth over the entire surface of the counter underneath the cabinets, as well as on the floor under your saw horses if you intend to stain the doors inside. Doing so will protect the room from any splashes or spills.

Shake the stain can thoroughly, remove the cap and place a large paintbrush inside. Twist the paintbrush around inside the can to distribute the color evenly, and then wipe the stain on the wood in the direction of the grain. Wipe away any excess stain, allow the first coat to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.