Make it more red or brown without darkening it polyshades can help.
Changing dark wood stained siding to lighter color.
Otherwise if you have stain in the can that s too dark you can dilute it to change the color before applying it.
Even if you simply want to change the tone of your color e g.
Doors that are stained a dark outdated shade can be lightened up by stripping off the old finish and applying the new light hued stain.
How to paint over dark stained wood.
Remove the polyurethane finish by sanding the wood using a power sander equipped with 50 grit.
Wipe away sawdust from the wood using tack cloths.
If not you can sand down the wood to remove the rest of the color.
However if you wish to lighten the color it is not as simple as applying a light color of polyshades over it you will need to strip the existing finish first.
Scrape off the gelled finish with sharp flat sticks.
Changing the kitchen cabinets from dark to light can be a tedious process.
They have variations in hue reddish brown etc so go with the one that best matches your finished desired look.
For lightening the natural color of wood or evening out the variation in color between heartwood and sapwood use a two part bleach of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide available as a kit.
If you want a more mild espresso not as dark but still dark enough use it mixed half and half with another lighter color such as walnut or tudor.
If you paint a dirty wall you are really painting the dirt not the wood.
Work from the center and allow the finish to fall.
Apply a varnish remover to the wood and rub it in with steel wool or a wire brush.
Once you ve removed the existing stain the dark color will likely be gone.
Apply a small amount of stripper to the wood.
The most effective way to lighten the color of your stain is bleaching the wood with chemicals.
Thoroughly clean the surface you want to paint.
Lighten the dark wood stain by.
Wear a protective respirator and gloves.
Allow it to soften the finish for about 10 minutes or as directed by the manufacturer.
How to change dark wood stains to a light color.
How to lighten a dark wood stain hunker.
Most likely you will need to use a solid color stain or paint.
Now you can reapply the lighter stain that you prefer.