How to Change an Oak Furniture Finish to an Espresso Color

Tape the walls on either side of your furniture piece if it is up against a wall. Secure plastic drops to the floor up tight to the furniture with painter's tape and lay cloth drops on top of the plastic. Remove all hardware with your drill. Hardware includes drawer pulls, door pulls and door hinges. Take out drawers, shelves and doors.

Sand the entire surface of your oak furniture with your 150-grit sanding pads. Sand only in the direction of the grain. If you sand across the grain you will create scratches in the surface of the wood.

Apply pressure while sanding so that you sand through the clear coat to the stain. Stain will not adhere well to any clear coat because it prevents anything from being absorbed into the wood.

Vacuum with a dust brush attachment to remove the sanding dust from all corners and crevices. Lightly dampen a rag with paint thinner and wipe down the entire surface. Complete this step until you cannot see or feel any remaining dust. Dust will leave rough spots in your finish.

Stir your stain with a paint stick do not shake it. Shaking stain will create bubbles that can transfer to your wood. Dip your brush into the stain and lightly dab off excess stain onto a rag. Brush on an even coat of stain going with the wood grain. Watch for runs in the stain and use your brush to blend them in.

Stain only one side of doors and shelves at a time. Set these pieces on scrap sections of lumber if available or lay them on cardboard. Allow your stain to dry a minimum of 8 hours before staining a second coat and before staining the opposite sides of doors and shelves.

Apply a clear coat to protect your stain. Stir the clear coat with a paint stick. Most of the bonding properties settle in the bottom of the can. Apply the clear coat with your paintbrush with the wood grain. Allow your clear coat to dry overnight and apply a second coat.