Applying an ebony stain is a relatively simple way to revive a piece of drab wood furniture. The general idea is to first sand the item down to bare wood to expose the grain, coat it with an ebony stain and then apply a protective topcoat to seal and protect the stained wood. For more in depth instructions, read below.
Tools You'll Need
- Sandpaper (and power sander)
- Drop cloth
- Screwdriver (to remove hardware)
- High-quality paintbrush (natural bristles for oil-based stain and synthetic for water-based)
- Foam brush (good for applying stain in hard-to-reach areas)
- Ebony stain (Minwax offers an ebony stain)
- Polyurethane or comparable finish
- Brush for applying finish
Prep
Before you undertake any type of furniture refinishing, make sure you're not dealing with a valuable antique or heirloom. On the other hand, since staining highlights the wood's grain, you'll want to be sure that the wood is of decent quality. Keep in mind that dense woods can be hard to "ebonize" as they don't absorb stain well. Check this chart if you are unsure.
When you're ready to begin, move the furniture to a well-ventilated workroom. Place a drop cloth or newspaper under the piece. Remove drawer pulls and other bits of hardware.
Sanding
Begin sanding with paper that has the roughest grit—a 60 or 80 grit should work (the grit is a number written on the back of the paper). Go over the piece once or twice to remove old paint, sanding in the direction of the grain. Remember to periodically check the sandpaper you're using and replace it if worn. After one complete sanding, wipe residual dust off the piece with a damp cloth, but try not to get the wood too wet. Then use a finer-grain sandpaper (e.g., move from a 60 to a 150, eventually to a 220) and go over the piece again. Keep sanding until you get down to the bare wood—wood stain can react to chemicals in the old finish if not removed during this step.
