How to Darken Old Oak Cabinets

How to Darken Your Oak Cabinets

• 1

  Degrease your cabinetry. Chances are, the cabinets that you’re looking to darken reside in your kitchen. The buildup of kitchen grease can ruin a lot of hard work, so take the time to thoroughly cleanse them of grease, using a rag to apply.

• 2

  Tape off all surrounding areas to avoid accidents. They call it "stain" for a reason, and it is next to impossible to get out of carpet, tile or adjacent walls. A little precaution goes a long way.

• 3

  Remove all of the doors and hardware. Whether the hardware is being replaced or not, you need to be precise. Trying to work around hardware is more of a headache than it is to just remove everything.

• 4

  Sand down all of the surfaces. Pay particular attention to any detailing in the woodwork. Leaving any patina will cause the taking of the stain to be uneven.

• 5

  Evenly apply a light coat of wood sealer. This will aid in the application of the stain to give it an nice, even color throughout.

• 6

  Apply the stain to all of the surfaces. With gloves on and using a clean rag, apply an even coat to all surfaces of the cabinets. This can be difficult to do, so be sure that the rag is not oversaturated (dripping) and take your time. Repeat this process until the desired hue is achieved. Avoid any puddles or drip marks and wipe off any excess stain by wiping with the grain. Let everything dry for at least four hours.

• 7

  Apply the wood finish. Giving your cabinets this last coat will help protect the stain and intensify the color. Before applying a second coat, you should let the cabinets dry for about six to eight hours.

• 8

  Let it dry overnight. Before you reassemble the cabinets, you should let them dry for around twenty-four hours, or until the tackiness has dissipated.