The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Staining over paint creates a custom finish with fun, even surprising, effects.

Rough-bristled chip brushes lay down wide streaks much like the grain of old wood.

Sponges and quality horse-hair brushes leave finer streaks.

How to apply wood stain over paint

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Can You Stain Over Paint?

Stain over paint creates a unique look, not an authentic stained wood-grain look.

Stain over paint instead produces a stylized, faux wood grain look.

Before and after of a table with stain applied over paint

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

It’s a great way to transform a thrift storenightstandinto an heirloom-style piece.

Another option is tostaina child’s painted bedroom dresser and turn it into adult-worthyguest room furniture.

Or streak dark stain over a small painted table for a dramatic, wood-like grain.

Materials needed to apply stain over paint

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

The odor of stain can be unpleasant and even harmful in closed conditions.

Put on latex or nitrile gloves as wood stain is difficult to remove from hands.

Bag these items and their screws, label the bag with the indelible marker and set them safely aside.

Preparing the work area with a drop cloth before staining

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Sand the Surface

Lightly sand the paint with sandpaper.

Aim to rough up the paint, not to remove the paint.

Tip

Sanding the surface gives it more tooth, or porosity, to grab the stain.

Testing the stain over the paint

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Not all surfaces need to be sanded.

Clean the Surface

Clean the surface with a clean cloth or a tack cloth.

Rub lightly with the tack cloth to avoid embedding the surface with beeswax.

Sanding the painted surface before staining

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Mix the Stain

Stir the stain carefully with a clean wooden stirring stick.

Since bubbles may form, let fifteen minutes pass before you begin using the stain.

As with paint, stain carries pigments and must be thoroughly mixed.

Using a tack cloth to rub dust off the painted surface

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Apply Stain to the Paint

Dip just the tip of the brush bristles in the stain.

Transfer the brush to the painted surface, starting at one edge, and brush gently.

A little stain goes a long way, especially applied on these less absorbent painted surfaces.

Mixing the wood stain before applying

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Let the Stain Dry

Stained surfaces tend to dry to touch within two hours.

Allow for at least two hours between coats, if you are applying additional coats.

Let the final coat dry overnight before reinstalling the hardware or using the piece.

Applying the wood stain over the painted surface

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Stain Over Paint Troubleshooting

Wood Stains.Mount Sinai.

Letting the wood stain dry

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly