What do I need to do to remove stain from a wooden bar?

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Right now it is natural wood and I want to stain it to a more cinnamon/cherry color.

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  1. johnb693 says:
    August 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Removing stain is almost impossible, as the stain has penetrated into the wood itself, unlike paint, which is just on the surface.
    Just sandpaper the bar, and restain it, with the darker color, that should do the trick.

  2. Rich B says:
    August 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    here is what you need to do go to your Home Center for wood bleach. It does work on stain.

  3. Won-Jo says:
    August 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    I restored a bar in a small tavern a few years ago and what I did was remove the wooden slab and took it to a large carpentry shop. They ran it through a 30" planer and took off about 3/32" and the with a hand planer set to remove 1/32" I carefully took down the rolled edge until I got down to the original grain. Then sanded it smooth starting with #80 then #150 then #320. Then wipe clean and restain to your hearts content.

  4. iamqbx2 says:
    August 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    I’d concur with all the above, they are all the best answers. Just make sure you don’t sand by hand, meaning put the sandpaper around a wood block or such. Hands will cause un-natural depressions, I’d go with a belt sander and some fine grit sand paper.

  5. Teetyme says:
    August 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    None of the above. It seems no one really read your question. If right now it is a natural wood bar, then there is not a stain applied just a sealant like polyurethane. This is much easier to remove than a stain because it does not soak into the wood. It may have aged or yellowed, but if your going to stain it a cinnamon/cherry color it will look gorgeous. All you have to do is borrow or rent a random orbital sander, start with 40-60 grit paper and sand off the old finish. Clean up the dust and sand it again using a 150 grit paper to get the scratches out left by the coarser paper and make it really smooth. If you are a perfectionist like me, try 220 grit after that to really make it nice, but that’s a lot of work.
    To stain it I suggest first applying a coat of min wax wood conditioner which will help give you an even look, no real dark sections. Let that sit for about 10 min. then wipe off the excess. If it’s not red enough, apply another coat till you like it. Let it dry over night, apply 2 coats poly, let dry sand with 220, then apply the final coat or as many more as you like.
    I love a good looking bar.

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