How to Add a Darker Color to an Already Stained Table

Staining a table refers to the act of saturating it with pigment and allowing the wood grain the appropriate amount of time to absorb the wood pigment. Because it's such an invasive process, it's nearly impossible to lighten wood after staining or remove the color. However, you can always make the wood darker by simply applying a darker shade of stain. Since the table already has a base color of stain this is a very basic process.

Wood cleaner spray
Soft cloths
100-grit sandpaper
Electric sander
220-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Oil-based stain, darker shade
3-inch brush
Lint-free cloths
Clear polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Spray the stained table with a wood cleaner spray. Wipe it down with soft cloths. Allow it to air dry for 20 minutes.
- 2
  Press a piece of 100-grit sandpaper onto the bottom of an electric sander. Run the sander across the surface of the table, removing a top coat of sealer and opening up the wood grain to receive the new finish. Repeat with 220-grit sandpaper.
- 3
  Wipe down the table with a tack cloth to swab off all the dust from sanding. Dip the 3-inch paintbrush in your can of stain and add a thick coat to the entire surface area of the table. Select a color like ebony, deep cherry or mahogany. Allow the stain to soak into the wood grain for 20 to 25 minutes and then wipe off the excess with a lint-free cloth. Repeat this process two more times.
- 4
  Coat the wood table in a light coat of clear polyurethane to seal the wood and protect it. Allow this final coat 24 hours to dry.

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