Buying the right wood piece for your home can be challenging, especially when there are so many different stain colors. Likewise, finding the perfect wood furniture for your home to bring it home and realizing it doesn’t quite match can be overwhelming.
The great news is that there are several different methods for lightening stained wood, depending on what you want. Lightening the wood can be done through mechanical, chemical, or other processes, so it is crucial to find the correct method for you and your wood furniture.
Are you wondering how to lighten your stained wood the right way? Then, let’s look at some of the best ways to accomplish your goal.
What are the Possible Methods to Lighten Stained Wood?
According to all of the experts in the field of furniture restoration, many methods can be used to lighten stained wood. How you choose depends entirely on what you want to accomplish and which method you prefer.
Whichever method you choose to use, you will be able to get the results that you want as long as you follow some simple instructions. These directions are set to walk you through each method step-by-step.
Method One: Sanding
When lightening stained wood, many people use the sanding method since it is much faster than other methods. This is mainly because there are few supplies to purchase, and the ones you have to buy are inexpensive.
Another reason people choose to sand their wood is because you do not have to strip the top coat before you begin. Since you are sanding, the top coat will be removed along with the sanding process.
Materials Needed for Sanding Wood
Before you begin sanding your wood, you must ensure you have all the materials to complete the job correctly. The worst thing that can happen is to get started with your project only to realize you are missing a crucial supply you need.
Here are all of the supplies that you need:
- Variety Pack of Sandpaper (on Amazon)
- Eye Goggles for protection
- Rubber Gloves
- Sand Block, such as the Warner Tool (on Amazon)
- Soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth
- Mineral Spirits such as this by the U.S. Art Supply Odorless Mineral Spirits (on Amazon)
As you begin sanding your stained wood piece to lighten it, there are specific instructions you should follow.
Step 1: Start with Low-Grit Sandpaper
The first step to lightening your stained wood is to start with lower-grit sandpaper to remove the top coat and the top layer of the stain. This sandpaper grit mixed with elbow grease will help you get that first layer off so you can get to the rest of the project.
Step 2: Move to a Higher-Grit Sandpaper
Once the top layer has been removed, you can move to higher-grit sandpaper, such as 120-grit sandpaper. This will help to remove the rest of the previous stain and the top coat so you can lighten it with a different stain.
Step 3: Wipe Down Wood with Mineral Spirits
After sanding the wood to the lighter color you want, wipe down the piece with mineral spirits. This step will allow you to remove the dust created by the sanding process and any leftover stain to have a clean surface to work with.
Step 4: Final Wipe Down and Cleaning
The last step in this method is to take a microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire wood surface from top to bottom. This will ensure you have not left any residue that will end up showing up in the new stain.
Method Two: Steel Wool
Another popular method of lightening stained wood is to utilize steel wool, which is not what most people would think of. This is because steel wool is often used in the kitchen to remove tough stains from pans or even to keep mice out of your home.
However, experts in wood refinishing will tell you that steel wool is one of the easiest methods to lighten your stained wood surfaces. However, before using this method, you must remove the top coat.
Materials Needed to Lighten Stained Wood with Steel Wool
As with anything, you should ensure that you have gathered all your supplies before lightening your wood surface. While this may be the easiest method, you will still need several supplies to be successful.
Here are some of the materials you will need:
- Steel wool (on Amazon) (superfine is best)
- Goggles for eye protection
- Rubber gloves
- Water
- Mineral Spirits
- Microfiber cloth
Step 1: Remove the Top Coat
Before using steel wool to lighten your stained wood surface, you must remove the clear top coat. This is because while the steel wool is effective in lightening the surface, it may not be as effective in penetrating the top coat. This step can be done using any method you prefer.
Step 2: Begin Rubbing Steel Wool on Wood Surface
Once the top coat has been removed, you can use the steel wool to lighten your stained wood surface. To do this, soak the steel wool in water, ring it out and start rubbing it across the surface. You will need to be careful not to rub too hard, so you do not scratch the surface.
Step 3: Refresh Steel Wool
When you notice your steel wool begins to have more and more steel shavings, you will need to take the time to refresh it. You can do this by either removing the dust and shavings and then dipping it again or replacing the steel wool entirely with another piece. Continue with the process until you reach the desired shade.
Step 4: Apply Mineral Spirits
Once you have reached the desired shade for your wood surface, you will need to use a soft cloth and mineral spirits to remove the remnants and residue. With this step, you should ensure you have your protective gear on.
Step 5: Wipe Down with Microfiber Cloth
After removing the residue from your stained wood surface, take your microfiber cloth and wipe down any leftover residue or mineral spirits that are left behind. You want your wood surface to dry before adding a finish or stain.
Method Three: Bleach
Another method you can use to lighten stained wood surfaces is bleach, designed to be used on wood. You can typically find wood bleach in most hardware stores and online stores.
For this method, since you are using a chemical, you will need to ensure you have your protective gear, such as rubber gloves, goggles, and a face mask. This will help keep you safe from the harsh odors and bleach itself.
Materials Needed for the Bleach Method
To lighten your stained wood surface using the bleaching method, you will need specific materials to help. While some of these materials will help you complete the process, other materials will keep you safe during the work.
Here are the supplies you will need:
- Wood Bleach such as Savogran Wood Bleach (on Amazon)
- Bucket
- Paint Brushes
- Goggles
- Face Mask
- Protective covering for clothes
- Rubber Gloves
Before you begin the process, you should read the instructions carefully to ensure you do everything correctly. Failure to follow instructions can result in injury to yourself or damage to the wood surface.
Step 1: Check Your Safety Precautions
Before you start the process of using wood bleach to lighten your wood surface, there are certain safety precautions you should consider.
First, when using harsh chemicals, you must ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area. In addition, you should put on all of your protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, a face mask, and protective clothing.
Step 2: Use Paintbrush to Apply Wood Bleach
Once you are set, you should then use your paintbrush to apply a coat of the wood bleach onto every surface of the stained wood. As you are coating it, do not allow any bleach to pool on the surface. Leave the bleach on overnight for best results before removing it.
Step 3: Apply a Neutralizing Agent
After leaving the wood bleach on overnight, you should then neutralize the bleach by using a soft cloth soaked in water. To do this, rub the cloth over the stained wood’s surface to ensure the bleach is no longer active. You may have to repeat this step multiple times to ensure all of the bleach is neutralized.
Step 4: Dry Stained Wood
Once you have neutralized the entire surface, you want to dry the wood surface with a microfiber cloth. Before you apply any other finish or stain, you will need to allow it to dry completely.
Method Four: Use a Top Coat for a Lighter Finish
If you have used any of the above methods and did not reach the desired finish, you may want to try adding a top coat. Doing this will allow you to direct the further lightening of your stained wood surface until you get what you are looking for.
If you have reached the finish you want, you can use a clear top coat to seal the finish. But if you did not achieve the desired finish and want your wood a bit lighter, you may wonder what you can use. Read on to find out.
White Wash
To continue lightening your wood surface, you can create a whitewash to create a lighter finish for your stained wood. To do this, you will need white paint mixed with water to dilute it enough to be thin.
At this point, you will need to take a paintbrush and cover your stained wood piece entirely with the whitewash. You will need to allow it some time to dry before seeing if it is what you want.
Colorwash or White Stain
Either of these methods can lighten your stained wood surface if the other methods do not get you precisely what you want. Both of these methods can be purchased at your local hardware store or even at online retailers.
Liming Wax
Since you will need to apply some type of finish to the surface of your wood to protect it, if you are not quite to the stain color you want, a liming wax may be helpful. The liming wax will protect the wood and leave behind a white finish within the grains.
Method Five: Diluting Your Stain Before Application
Although this is the last method covered in this guide, this is a method you should consider before you stain the surface of your wood piece. If you examine the wood stain you plan to use and find it too dark, you may want to consider diluting it before you begin.
Materials Needed to Dilute Your Stain Before Application
If you have decided to dilute your stain before you apply your stain, then there are specific materials you will need before you start.
Here are the supplies you will need:
- Conventional wood stain
- Natural wood stain
- Soft clothes or rags
- Goggles
- Face mask
- Rubber gloves
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Once you have purchased your materials, including the different wood stains, you should find a well-ventilated area. If you try to lighten your wood surface before applying stain, you will need to gather both natural and conventional wood stains together.
Step 2: Mix Wood Stains
At this point in your project, you will want to mix both stains evenly to ensure that your darker stain is lightened sufficiently. If you cannot judge whether you are mixing the same amount of both, use a measuring cup or something similar. Next, stir the wood stains with a wooden paint mixer to ensure they are adequately mixed.
Step 3: Test Your Stain
To ensure you have mixed your stains correctly, test the stain on a less conspicuous surface of your wood piece. This step will ensure your wood surface will accept the stain as you see it. If it is what you want, then you are ready to stain your wood surface.
Final Thoughts on DIY Methods for Lightening Wood
The bottom line when it comes to lightening stained wood surfaces is several methods you can use to achieve the desired results. Choosing the correct method depends on whether you want to use chemicals or try a more natural approach.