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[Pembo]

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[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Our fireplace mantel is stained a light color and I'd love to darken it a little to match our furniture. I've never done this kind of work before.

I need to strip it first? Can I do that without a big mess on a mantel? Is there an easy way to do this?

Maybe not easy but not as bad as you think. I did all the woodwork inmy 100 year old tutor.
Get the gel stripper that doesn't smell as bad....you leave it on for I believe 20 minutes then remove it with a very soft cloth....let it dry sand your wood, stain to the color you like....it may need 2 coats depending on the product and how porious your wood is....let that dry and then apply a non flamable polyurethane (sp) matte or gloss whichever you prefer. Good Luck & keep us posted!!!!

 

[Pembo]

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[Linzybrooke]

well, its a little sticky. But, at Loews and Home Depot you can buy plastic drop cloth in a big role that you can lay and then throw away. I highly recommend it over fabric because it won't soak through. Make sure you tape off the area well or you can get the stripper of the stain onto your walls. And keep a damp, shed free towel nearby to catch drips.

I will say that the brush you use to apply the stain is very important. Cheap brushes will shed fibers onto the wood and if you don't notice them they will dry there, and when you do try to pick some up it can leave a smudge. Purdy brand brushes are the best.

Have you applied stain before?

 

[Pembo]

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