Minwax® PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There’s no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish!

Do you need to strip stain before restaining?

You do not ALWAYS have to strip off old stains when staining a previously stained deck if you are applying the same stain type, color, and brand as the old one. Since deck stains penetrate deep into the wood, they prevent moisture buildup and protect your deck from mold UV rays and rot.

How do you stain over stain without stripping?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Going with the grain. You're just kicking up a little bit of dust. And giving the top coat something to stick to you want to be careful not to strip back too much.

Can you stain over already stained wood?

Yes! In fact, applying stain over stain is a fairly simple process. It works especially well if you’re applying a darker stain over a lighter stain, and while working with raw wood. You can even mix 2 or more stains together and make your own custom stain!

Can you stain over old stain without sanding?

You do not need to sand off the previous stain and finish. The purpose of the light sanding is to give a little tooth to the surface to help your new stain colour stick.

How do you stain wood darker without stripping it?

How to Stain Wood Darker

  1. Step 1: Lightly Hand Sand. Start by lightly hand sanding the furniture. …
  2. Step 2: Clean Wood. Clean your entire piece thoroughly using a mild cleanser. …
  3. Step 3: Apply Dark Gel Stain. Apply the gel stain over the existing stained wood using a chip or sponge brush. …
  4. Step 4: Seal.





What happens if you stain without sanding?

If the wood has been stained but not finished, DO NOT scuff or sand. Doing so will remove the color from the edges, leaving the project looking uneven.

How do you refinish wood furniture without stripping?

How to restore wood furniture without sanding and stripping

  1. Remove any hardware. …
  2. Wipe on mineral spirits. …
  3. Clean the surface. …
  4. Fix the white rings. …
  5. Fill small cracks and imperfections. …
  6. Try to fix the dents. …
  7. Restore the colour with gel stain. …
  8. Renew the lustre with a wipe-on finish.


How do you remove stain from wood?



Use a paint brush with natural fibers to apply a thick, even layer of the stripper to the surface. Use the tip of the brush to apply stripper into any nooks and crannies. Allow the stain remover to sit for 15 to 20 minutes and reapply as needed to keep the surfaces wet.

Can you Restain wood that has been sealed?

Wood stain works by penetrating the wood. It is not a product that sits on top of the wood; it soaks in and dries in the wood pores. If you’re wood has already been sealed by polyurethane or another finish, the wood stain won’t work, because it can’t reach the pores of the wood.

What happens if you stain sealed wood?

Applying layers on top of a stain or sealer that isn’t dry will leave noticeable flaws in the coat, such as cloudiness or smearing. I actually ran a test to see how the finish of stained wood turns out with no coats of sealant, 1 coat, 2 coats, 3 coats, and some of the coats sanded between.

What happens if you stain over sealed wood?



Once you do the varnish, the entrance to go inside of the wood through porous vessel structure will be blocked. Therefore, once you apply stain on top of the varnished surface, the wood won’t take the stain, and wood grain will also mask off.

Can you put stain over sealer?

Can You Apply Stain Over Sanding Sealer? You can only apply a topical stain over sanding sealer. You should never apply regular wood stain over sanding sealer because the paint will not stick properly regardless of whichever trick you try out.

Can you put stain over water seal?

If the stain has completely dried and cured it’s fine to apply sealer, but if there is still some moisture, applying the water seal over the stain might cause problems.

How long after staining can I seal?

Considering that most commonly used stains take between 12 to 24 hours to dry and cure completely, it’s good practice to wait a full 24 hours before applying polyurethane sealer to your workpiece after your stain has been applied.

What to put over stain to seal it?



Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible.

What happens if you don’t seal stained wood?

What happens if you don’t seal stained wood? If you leave stained wood without a sealer on top, it will gradually lose its moisture content and dry out. Over time, the wood may look dull and lifeless as the stain wears out due to the lack of wood sealing and protection.

Should I seal wood before staining?

Applying a topcoat sealer is not required, but a finish protects the stained wood from scratches and keeps it from fading over time. If applying a polyurethane finish with a brush, apply one to two coats. If using a spray can, hold 8 to 12 inches from the surface and apply two or three light coats.