That is certainly an option; however, it is important to note that paint does not provide the same kind of protection that stain does. Cherry, mahogany, and similar woods don’t need much or any color, so it’s best to use light or transparent stains, so the natural grain and colors shine through. I’d love to update it with fresh paint and new hardware, but I’ve heard that you can’t get good results painting over stain. The piece of wood I’m working with for this tutorial is unfinished. Yes! Dry faster, enabling you to stain and finish in one day. Oak, ash, and chestnut handle stain well, but wood such as maple, poplar, and birch do not handle stain very well at all. Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it's really you to prevent spam :), Copyright by Brittany Goldwyn, 2020 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Just make sure the existing finish is totally sanded down to the bare wood! Overlapping stain … Just use a paintbrush or a rag to lay a thin layer of the stain and let it dry. Another pro tip is to test your stain product on samples of the wood you are using, to see how it reacts. This will smooth out the surface and get rid of the bubbles that didn’t pop when the first coat was drying. Allow the stain to dry 6 to 8 hours. That will only raise the grain of the wood even more, and you will simply have to repeat the entire process again. Stain actually soaks into the wood, changing it chemically and preventing the encroachment of moisture, which could cause mold and decay. Are lower in odor than oil-based stains. I started with maybe 1 part thinner to 4 parts polyurethane and adjusted the mix along the way. Remember, you put the stain on unfinished wood, so you need to seal the stain … Thank you! //