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I've finally managed to find a console that fits in a section of my house however I want a darker "chocolate" colour than is available. Because of this, I am considering buying a Weathered Oak I'm looking at buying the below console from "Living Styles". The website says it's made of solid oak timber with an oak timber veneer and so I was wondering if anyone knew (A) if I would be able to change the colour of the console; (B) would I be able to stain it in a chocolate stain colour and (C) if so, would I need to strip it back (I am particularly concerned about this question given the grooves in the furniture). This is my first attempt at changing a piece of furniture to suit a home and so looking for some advice before I invest.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @toc_girl. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about changing the colour of a table.
Most weathered oak furniture is finished with a clear lacquer that prevents a penetrating stain from soaking in. That means you cannot simply apply a chocolate stain over the top. To properly stain it, you would need to take the finish back to raw timber so the new colour can actually absorb into the oak. Because this piece has timber grain, mouldings and grooves, stripping it right back is possible, but it is quite labour-intensive for a first-time refinisher and requires a lot of care not to sand through the veneer.
A more achievable approach is to use a product that combines a stain and varnish in one. These sit on the existing finish and allow you to build up a darker colour without removing everything first. You simply clean the piece thoroughly, lightly scuff sand the surface with a fine abrasive so the new coating can key in, then apply the stain and varnish in thin, even coats until you reach the depth of colour you want. This is the most realistic way to take a light weathered oak finish to a richer chocolate tone. However, it really comes down to what the manufacturer has finished the piece in as to how well the varnish will adhere. You might like to test a section first in an inconspicuous location and allow it to dry fully for 48 hours. After that, apply some sticky tape over the stained area and then rip it off. If it doesn't pull the varnish off, then that's a good indication that it's bound well to the surface, and you can continue staining the whole piece.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
