How to Stain Wood Darker Color – A Step-by-Step Procedure

Staining wood can bring out the beauty of its grain. Knowing how to stain wood darker can effectively make the grain pop and enhance the beauty of your wooden furniture, table, hardwood floors, or other items in your home.

To stain wood darker, scuff sand it with medium-grit sandpaper and apply multiple layers of dark-colored gel stain.

Then, seal it with a layer of polyurethane wood finish. Finally, you can use a natural stain like black tea or coffee to give your wood the desired darkness.

How to Stain Wood Darker

• Coarse sand your wood
• Raise the wood grain with water before staining
• Add more pigment to the stain
• Dirty wipe the excess stain
• Apply a glaze after the stain and sealer
• Use dye instead of an oil stain
• Spray a toner

Every wood stain is designed to make wood darker than its natural color. But there are several different types of wood stains available in various colors.

In addition, these stains work differently on different wood types.

Seven Ways to Stain Wood Darker

There’re multiple easy ways to achieve a darker stain color, especially when staining more porous woods like pine and spruce. If you have pine, you can find out what color stain looks best on pine.

We will discuss seven quick methods to help you stain your wood darker with oil, water, or any other wood stain.

We will also go over my favorite three practical ways to make wood darker—step by step. These ways include using gel stain and two natural stains (black tea and coffee) to give your wood the dark finish you want.

You can learn how to lighten dark stained wood should you go overboard with these procedures.

But first, the seven ways:

1. Coarse sand your wood 

Sanding your wood to a coarser grit helps texture the surface to accommodate more stain. In addition, the coarser grit creates a rough texture on the wood surface, translating to more room where the colorant can lodge.

While aiming for this kind of surface, you also don’t want to keep it so rough that scratches show. Instead, try to find a perfect balance between coarse and fine where the scratches are invisible to the naked eye.

To get this outcome, consider using a medium-grit sandpaper or sanding block. For example, 120-grit or 150-grit sandpaper should do the wood staining job well.

While at it, ensure you lightly sand the wood grain direction, so the marks align with the grain. It is best to sand by hand instead of a power sander for the best results.

Are you using teak wood? Here is how to stain teak wood darker.

2. Raise the wood grain with water before staining

You are aware that you should avoid pouring water on unsealed wood as it tends to raise the wood grain.

In this case, that is the outcome you want. So, apply some water to your piece of wood to get it wet before staining. Wetting wood before staining will help raise the grain and open up the pores, allowing the stain to penetrate more effectively.

The wetness will raise the grain, making it dry to a rougher texture- the kind of surface you need. The rough surface will mean more room to accommodate the colorant and provide a darker stain. For example, staining chipboard or particle board can result in a deeper and richer stain color due to its porous nature.

You can also use a water-based stain to make this procedure shorter. You will need to apply the first coat of water-based stain using a lint-free rag, wipe off the excess, and let it dry.

Once the wood stain has cured, come back and apply another coat of the same stain over the first stain coat. Recoating the wood surface with the same stain will help deepen the color, especially if the stain is dark-colored.

3. Add more pigment to the stain

While the common practice is to add a compatible thinner to dilute a wood stain, you can add the pigment to increase the concentration of colorant in the solvent (vehicle).

If you want to make your wood stain darker, you will need more colorant particles per unit amount of the stain.

In other words, you will be increasing the pigment-to-vehicle ratio. The higher this ratio, the darker the tinting on the wood.

If you use an oil-based stain, add some oil-based pigment of your choice. If you are using a water-based stain, add a universal color pigment to it.

Make sure to test the stain on scrap wood.

You will need to eyeball the measurements. So we recommend applying the product on a small scrap wood resembling the piece you wish to stain.

Let it dry completely and check if you are happy with the color or prefer to increase the pigment and darken it. Here is how to fasten your wood stain dry time. Once you achieve your desired color intensity, you can proceed to your main wood project.

Testing the product on scrap wood is essential to any experiment; do not skip it. Unless you are working on a dense hardwood that allows only one coat of wood stain, you can apply a second coat after the first has dried.

As already mentioned, recoating produces a darker coloring despite wiping off the excess stain in each application.

Read Also: Cherry Wood Stained Dark

4. Dirty wipe the excess stain 

Wiping the excess stain is essential to creating an evenly stained wood. But you can avoid wiping too deeply and leave the wood surface slightly damp with the wood stain.

This way, the wood will cure to a darker color even though it may take longer. You may have to practice this on a piece of scrap wood in search of the right amount of wood stain to leave on the wood before starting on your main project.

Caveat: doing a dirty wipe may muddy the wood, keeping the stained wood surface from looking even-colored. You may also risk leaving the coat too thick, resulting in poor bonding and prolonged drying time.

Also Read: How to Fix Wood Stain Blotches

5. Apply a glaze after the stain and sealer

One way to achieve a darker wood color is to substitute a gel stain or glaze for the liquid stain. Gel stains and glazes tend to contain a higher ratio of pigment to vehicle.

A single application should pack the wood with enough pigment to darken the color. Still, you can use glaze to refinish your wood alongside your regular oil-based or water-based stain and sealer. Here is a guide on regular stain versus gel stain to help you differentiate them.

The glaze will still work to darken the color. Glaze is a thickened oil-based or water-based stain. So you want to check and ensure you are using oil-based glaze with an oil-based stain and water-based glaze alongside a water-based stain. 

Its thick consistency makes it easier to control. You can leave it on the surface a little longer to darken it before wiping off the excess. Ensure you wipe before it dries.

To apply the glaze, spray or brush it on the wood and spread it into a thin film. You may have to practice on a piece of scrap wood to get the hang of it.

Notice: Glazes are heavily pigmented; expect it to muddy the wood a bit.

Read Also: Staining Pine Like Oak

6. Use dye instead of an oil stain

There’re wood powder coating and liquid wood dyes on the market to choose from. Liquid wood dyes are referred to as TransTint liquid dyes or non-grain-raising (NGR).

These are ready to use; you must stir them well before applying them to wood. Powdered wood dyes can work with alcohol or water.

Before purchasing, check the product description to establish whether you need to dissolve it in water or alcohol. 

Whichever you choose, dye stains are an excellent way to darken the wood. They do not completely rely on the wood pores for coloring. They will get even dense hardwoods as dark as you want them. 

To get a darker color, consider applying multiple coats of the wood stain or higher dye concentration in the solvent.

7. Spray a toner

A toner is a translucent wood finish with dye or pigment added. It can lightly deposit color over the wood surface, neutralize unwanted tones, or make a splotchy color even.

In this case, you will use it to refinish and darken your piece. To use it for this purpose, spray the toner between coats of your chosen wood finish after staining the wood.

You can choose a toner with a dye or pigment added. However, the latter will usually muddy the stained surface, so you may want to use a dye-based toner. 

A toner with a dye helps darken the surface without muddying it.

Choosing Your Wood Stain

Oil-based stains and most other wood stains generally work by soaking into the pores in the wood piece. As such, you can only make the wood as dark as the amount of stain it can absorb. 

Since some woods are less porous, they can be challenging to stain darker because much of the color is lost when you wipe off the excess stain. 

Yet, wiping the excess wood stain is essential to the wood staining process.  

This means you may fail to achieve the color intensity you want on less porous woods, unless you can make it darker without the stain absorbing into the wood.

Read Also: After How Long Can You Walk on a Stained Deck

Best dark stains for wood

Here are some of the darkest wood stain colors available:

• Ebony
• Dark Bown
• Custom colours

There are a few different types of dark stains that can be used on wood, depending on the look you’re going for. Of course, you’ll want to use a gel stain or oil-based paint for a true black stain.

We’ve reviewed some of the top-rated black wood stains if you want the deepest, darkest color.

You could try a deck sealer or even black tea if you’re looking for something with a little more character. Both of these will bring out the wood’s natural grain while still giving it a dark tint.

No matter which method you choose, test this dark red wood stain on a hidden area first to get an idea of how it will look before committing to the whole project.

Related Post: Royal Blue Wood Stain

Gel Stain for Less Porous Woods  

A dark-colored gel stain is ideal when staining less porous dense hardwoods like oak. Read further best stain color for red oak to learn more.

It can stain your wood without having to soak it. The wood stain works by sitting on top of the wood surface without blocking the grain. This makes it pretty easy for gel stain to make the wood darker. 

How to Darken Wood with Gel Stain

This section walks you through the process of dark staining your wood finishing using the best kind of stain for dense woods – gel stain. 

Tools and materials to use 

• Natural bristled chip brush
• Lint-free rag or soft cloth (best rags for staining)
• Gel stain
• Sandpaper (120, 220-grit)
• Rubber gloves
• Wood conditioner
• Safety goggles
• Protective face mask
• Dark-colored wood stain
• Wood finish, preferably oil-based polyurethane

Steps to follow

Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure you complete the project correctly. 

Step 1: Prepare your workstation

Your task will involve light sanding and using chemicals. For this reason, you will need to work in a well-ventilated area.

Working outdoors is a good option. But if you work indoors, ensure you open the windows and fans to improve the airflow. 

Also, cover the place with a drop cloth to catch any gel stain drippings and sanding dust.

Step 2: Clean the wood

You can skip this step if you are working on new bare wood. But for a treated wood such as a piece of wood furniture or floor, clean it with a grease-cutting wood cleaner. 

You want to ensure you get all the contaminations off the wood surface. It should be free from any oil, gunk, or grease to be ready for staining. 

Step 3: Sand with coarse sandpaper

Start by wearing your protective gear. Put on your protective face mask to ensure you don’t inhale the wood dust.

Wear rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands and goggles to protect your eyes. 

Next, give the wood some light scuff sanding with 120-grit sandpaper or sanding block. Sanding helps ensure the wood stain has something to bond to.  

Step 4: Lightly sand the wood with a fine-grit sandpaper

Since the table or wood surface needs to have a significant grip, don’t make it too smooth. 220-grit sandpaper or sanding block should do the trick here. 

It is important to ensure you work in the direction of the wood grain to avoid the risk of creating undesirable marks on the table or wood surface.  

Step 5: Apply a coat of the gel stain and wipe  

Here it is best to use a natural bristled chip brush to apply a generous, even coat of the gel stain on your wood.

You will need to let it sit for a bit (about 30 seconds) to work the color before wiping it with a lint-free cloth. Here are some specific tips to get it right. 

Tip 1: Apply the wood stain within the grain and wipe similarly along the wood grain for a clean wood finish. 

Tip 2: Work in a small area at a time. This will allow you to wipe the wood stain on and off before it gets too tacky to wipe off and get an even look. 

Tip 3: Do not add more gel stain on freshly wiped-off gel stain. If you notice some spots are lighter than others, resist the temptation to apply an extra coat of gel stain before the first layer is dry completely.   

Doing so will reactivate the gel stain on the first stain layer, and you will end up removing it altogether.

Tip 4: Apply multiple thin coats to get a darker stained surface without leaving streaks or brush marks. Wipe the wood stain on and off as usual.

Let it dry for 24 hours, and then add another thin coat of wood stain in the same way. Multiple thin coats provide an even, dark look, unlike a single thick layer leaving visible, unsightly brush marks on the surface. 

Tip 5: Dispose of your rags. Wood stains often consist of flammable products. The best way to prevent these fire hazards is to dispose of the used rags. 

Do you have more than one stain and want to use them together, don’t worry; here’s a detailed guide on wood stain mixes.

Are you working with panellings? Here’s how to stain paneling.

Step 6: Protect the surface with a layer of the polyurethane wood finish

This is the final step. You want a clear coat wood finish to keep the dark color in for longer while also making the wood impervious to moisture, water, and discoloration. 

The perfect way to do that is to spray the entire stained surface with a few clear coats of polyurethane. If you are a fan of lacquer, you could use shellac and lacquer.

Gel stain coats can cause the lacquer to wrinkle if you apply without shellac. But can you put shellac over stain? Read to learn more.

How to Apply the Wood Finish 

Here, we recommend an easier process; spraying the surface with a layer of polyurethane. The spray version is better since it will keep you from wiping away any wood stain with the brush while applying it.

My favorite option is the MinWax fast-drying polyurethane wood finish. Its fast-drying formulation allows you to finish the job much quicker. 

Start by shaking the can before spraying it. Next, spray a thin coat and let it dry for about 2 hours before applying another coat. 

Two to three coats should be sufficient to seal the furniture. 

See Also: Staining Mdf to Look Like Wood

How to Darken Stain With Coffee

Just like coffee can stain your teeth, making them look darker, it can do the same to your table or any wood. This property makes coffee an excellent natural wood stain and one of the methods of darkening wood without stain.

The supplies you will need

• A pot of coffee 
• 120, 220-grit sandpaper 
• A rag or paint brush

Steps to follow

Step 1: Prepare a dark coffee   

Brew a whole pot of coffee, and make it as strong as possible to create a dark wood stain. You can also use a strong instant coffee for this. Put the strong coffee in a bowl and let it cool. 

Step 2: Sand your wood

Use 120-grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface of your wood while the coffee cools down. Next, switch to 220-grit sandpaper and scuff-sand the entire wood surface.

Once done, use a clean rag to wipe off the wood dust.

Read More: Should you sand between coats of stain?

Step 3: Stain your wood

Use a rag or paintbrush to apply the coffee onto the furniture, covering every inch of the surface. Apply little by little to avoid pooling on the wood surface. 

Let the wood set for about 15 minutes, and apply more coats until you are satisfied with the color intensity. Then, wipe the wood and let it dry completely.

Read Also: Can You Put Paint Over Stain?

How to Stain Wood Darker Using Tea and Vinegar

Other than coffee, you could also use tea to stain unfinished wood furniture. To do this, make iron acetate by soaking a ball of steel wool in a jar of vinegar and water solution.

Cover the jar and let it sit for two to three days. The iron acetate is what will react with the tannins in black tea to stain the furniture. 

The supplies you will need

• Black tea bags 
• Fine-grit steel wool 
• Boiling water 
• Apple cider vinegar 
• Chip brush
• Lint-free cloth 

Steps to follow

Step 1: Prepare the wood stain 

Soak a ball of fine steel wool in a lidded jar of apple cider vinegar. Let the steel wool soak in the vinegar for about 48 hours. 

When the iron acetate is ready, pour at least 2 cups of boiling water into a heat-resistant container and add three or more black tea bags. Let them soak for about two hours. 

Step 2: Scuff sand your wood

Use 220-grit sandpaper to give your wood a light scuff-sanding to clean and prep it. Once done, use a clean rag to wipe off the wood dust.  

Step 3: Apply the wood stain

Use a chip brush to apply the tea onto the entire wood surface. Let it set in for an hour, then sop up any excess liquid.

Next, use a chip brush to apply the iron acetate evenly on the furniture along the grain. The iron acetate will react with the tannins in the tea mixture and make the wood finish darker. 

Step 4: Dry the wood and re-stain if necessary. 

Let the finished wood dry for an hour. Then, if it is not dark enough, go over it again with the black tea and steel wool-vinegar solution. Here’s a quick guide on staining deck over old stain to help you achieve the desired rich hue and even tone for your wood.

Step 5: Coat it with a protective wood finish

Once dry, use a tack cloth to wipe off any debris. Then, you can oil it or seal it with a clear coat or wax finish.

Related Post:

Can You Stain Wood White?

Can You Stain Over Painted Wood?

Final Thoughts on How to Make Wood Darker

As you can see, we have several ways to make your wood finish darker. Our preferred method is to scuff sand the wood, apply multiple layers of dark-colored gel stain, and then polyurethane.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Let’s hear what you think in the comments section.

Also, please read our guide on the best wood for staining dark or using dark stain on oak.