How to Darken a Golden Oak Cabinet Door

Determine whether you want to stain the entire surface of the cabinet or just the door. If the door is the only visible part of the cabinet, you can get away with just darkening the door and leaving the rest of the cabinet its golden oak color. Otherwise, it is best to apply a dark colored stain to the entire surface of the wood cabinet.

Remove the door and door hardware. Set the hardware aside in a safe place and put the cabinet door on a set of saw horses.

Sand the entire surface of the cabinet door with a heavy grit sandpaper. 80 grit works well for the existing surface. Use an orbital sander and sand until all of the golden oak color is gone.

Run your hand over the surface of the cabinet door and feel for any rough spots or uneven areas. Use the orbital sander to sand down those rough edges. Wipe away the sawdust with a damp cloth.

Set down a drop cloth and put the door on top of it. Shake the can of dark stain thoroughly, then open the can and insert your paint brush. Use a wide paint brush for the main areas of the cabinet door, and a smaller fine paint brush for the corners and trim. Move the brush in the direction of the wood grain.

Wipe away the excess stain with a damp cloth. Allow the remaining stain to dry completely, then apply a second coat if you wish. Repeat steps for the remaining doors.