Oak Handrail

BMAN

I have a friend who has a handrail currently in golden oak. She wants it to look like a dark cherry. I am looking for suggestions for making fast work of this. I know the old fashioned way of sanding through the poly and restaining but is there a short cut?

Teetorbilt

Scratch it, cover it with some 2-in-one and prepare for a lot of ^#*^% in the future.

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Brushslingers

Short of painting it with a faux to make it LOOK dark cherry... no.

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DeanV

It would not be a quick and easy way, but I wonder if scuffing it up good, shooting it with a spray stain (HVLP) and the clear coating it would do.

Joewho

Dark cherry won't look like dark cherry. You need to mix another color with it, but I don't know which off hand. Maybe teeter does.

That being said, if it's a wall mounted rail, just take it off and strip it in the garage. It takes about 1 hr. to strip it.

Otherwise, you might be able sand it down and mix some stain with the next coat or 5 of finish. Top it with clear.

BMAN

What about ploy shades, it says it can be applied direct to the old surface. Anyone ever done it?

Leo G

That might actually work. It is poly over poly. I hate the stuff because when brush applied it leaves streaks. Maybe you could remove it and spray it.

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simmons

You can use Mohawk's Ultra penetrating stain- dries fast and you can top coat with any solvent base. But a real easy way would be to get a spray toner. The stain is sprayed out of an aerosol can and you can apply multiple coats to get even color and coverage.Some toners have a finish coat , some need to be cleared...Check with a cabinet supply house.

BMAN

What is the prep work for that mohawk product?

Joewho

Will you post a picture when you get done?

BMAN

I will post a picture.

Joewho

Sorry BMAN, I was being a wise guy.

The penetrating stain won't penetrate the existing finish, it's quick dry because it's alcohol based. Mohawk makes refinishing products. I like their stain.

If you use stain over the finish it will not look good. If you use polyshades, same as a tinted finish it might look ok, but still not good.

There really is no way to make this project right without stripping off the finish.

Toner, same thing, it's like thinned out stain used to tone, or even out a stain job. Only good thing is that it goes on after the finish is applied.
I don't think it will work for a complete color change. It will, but again, look like crap.

BMAN

I figured there were no real short cuts. I am just trying to save them some money. I will be doing it the old fashioned way with some mild stripper and a good sanding. I am going to post those pics for you though.