Can You Stain an Old Dresser?

Significance

• You can stain a dresser, but you cannot stain over an old piece of furniture without removing the existing finish. Stain works by soaking into wood grain, and it can't access the grain if you've already got a stain or paint there. This prep work adds a significant amount of time to your DIY project, so leave yourself a full weekend to work. If you can, work outside or in a garage to reduce fumes in your house.

Removing Stain

• A paint or stain stripper will get the old finish off with minimal work on your part. To use, apply it with a paintbrush to one side at a time. Let the stain stripper set in for several minutes; the product will indicate how long it needs to soak. Next, scrape off the stain stripper and the old stain, using a plastic putty knife. A metal knife can damage the wood finish. Work one side at a time until you've finished stripping the stain. If the dresser feels sticky, apply lacquer thinner with steel wool to remove the stain stripper's residue from your dresser.

Sanding

• The stain stripper should remove most, if not all, of the stain. You still need to sand to create a smooth surface for the stain. Wait until the dresser dries completely from the stripping process, and then sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper. Use firm pressure, but not so much that you damage the wood. Always sand with the wood grain. Once you've sanded, wipe off all the wood particles, using a tack cloth.

Staining

• After all this hard work, you can stain the dresser. Use a gel stain in your preferred color, and apply the stain either with a brush or with a cloth. Brush or wipe the stain onto the dresser, and let it penetrate for several minutes. Wipe off the excess stain with a cloth. Work on one small area at a time for the best results. Your dresser may need a second coat of stain.