I TRIED GEL STAINING LIGHT OVER DARK ON THESE CURBSHOPPED NIGHTSTANDS AND HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY TURNED OUT…
Hi creative #sifamily, I’m so happy you’re here for another Furniture Fixer Upper Thursday! Today I’m trying something totally new-to-me—and it’s all because of YOU! So many of you have asked if it’s possible to use a light gel stain over a darker finish… and I finally gave it a go! I’m no stranger to gel stain (it’s one of my fave ways to deepen a finish—it’s easy and looks amazing!), and I’ve used it countless times to go darker. I’ll link to a few of those makeovers in the related post below. But lightening things up? That’s uncharted territory for me… until now! Every time I’ve shared a gel stain project, someone always asks, “Can I use this to go lighter?” And up until today, my honest answer was—I wasn’t sure. When I found this nightstand set in the trash, I figured it was a perfect time to give it a try!
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Bonus, it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day! On the fourth Thursday of every month, I join four super-talented friends, and we share our before-and-after furniture restyles. The link to their makeovers is included at the end of this post, and I hope you join me in popping over to see what they’ve created!
Here’s the nightstand set I found. It looks like someone started to refinish this set and decided against it.
These nightstands are in good structural shape. But I get why they were trashed.
When I got them home and gave them a better once-over, there were scratches, dings, and surface issues. A project like this can feel daunting if you don’t have experience refinishing. There’s always the time factor as well. When I first started painting and refinishing furniture, I can’t tell you how many times I felt overwhelmed with projects… so I totally get it!
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Nightstand Set – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Bosch Palm Sander (25% OFF as of writing!)
Sanding Sponge
Bonding Boss Primer
Umber SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Picklin’ White Gel Stain
Shop Towels
Paint Brush
Gator Hide Topcoat
WOOD NIGHTSTANDS MAKEOVER
Here’s how it all came together…
CLEANING OFF STRIPER RESIDUE
Before bringing these nightstands into my workspace, I cleaned as much of the stripper residue off as best I could with Mineral Spirits. Doing this in a well-ventilated space or, better yet, outdoors is best because it does have a strong odor. After I got off as much of the dry stripper as I could, I brought them down to my studio and cleaned these nightstands with this heavy-duty furniture cleaner .
PREP FOR GEL STAIN
I brought them into my studio and started preparing them for gel stain application.
- The first thing I did was remove the wood knobs
- Cleaned the inside, outside and bottom with White Lightening Furniture Cleaner
- Gave everything a wipe down with clean water to remove residue
- Then scuff sanded lightly with a 220 grit sanding sponge.
TIP – SCUFF SAND LIGHTLY!
To sand an existing finish before applying a gel stain, be VERY careful not to oversand and create an uneven finish. If I was to sand heavily in some areas, exposing some raw wood, and lightly in others, leaving the existing finish, when I apply a gel stain it is going to take very differently and look blotchy. A light sanding is all that is needed. Just enough to lightly scuff up the existing finish and give the gel stain something to cling on to. Keep in mind, gel stain is like a paint not a traditional stain. It sits on TOP of an existing finish rather than being absorbed.
To wipe off all dust, I brought it back into my paint room and wiped it down with this tack cloth which comes in packs. If you don’t have any tack cloths, a slightly damp towel or lint-free cloth works well.
TESTING LIGHT GEL STAINS
I strongly recommend testing a stain in an inconspicuous area of your project before diving in. Depending on the color of stain and the tone of wood you are applying it to, results will vary. I tested this Picklin’ White and Weathered Gray. I applied it to the top of a nightstand because I knew the top(s) would be getting sanded and painted.
I decided to go with the Picklin’ White Gel Stain on the left. Applying this gel stain is simple. I use a paint brush, sponge, applicator pad or lint-free cloth to apply the stain onto my project. Then I wipe the excess off and take a soft brush to blend it all in. It’s wipe on – wipe off – soften and blend with a soft brush.
If the stain is not light enough, you can wait until the first layer dries, then add a second coat. But here’s where I ran into an issue. I found applying the light stain to the darker wood challenging to control. It was difficult to get an even finish, no matter how hard I tried. I also found that any little imperfections were amplified where as when I use dark stain on lighter wood, imperfections are diminished.
Below is a pic of three drawers complete with White Gel Stain compared to the original. I can see every little nook and cranny highlighted. If you’re after a more rustic farmhouse look, this might be a bonus for using a light gel stain over a darker finish. Unfortunately, I’m not 100% happy with the outcome.
PRIMER
While I was waiting for the gel stain to dry, I sanded and primed the two top drawers and tops of these nightstands. At this stage of the makeover, I wasn’t sure what color I would be painting the top and the two top drawers. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go light or dark so I primed with two coats of Bonding Boss and let it dry overnight.
PAINTING IN UMBER
The following day, I decided a contrast was what I wanted so I used one of my favorite colors. To paint the top of each table and the top drawers, I used a quality brush used Umber SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint. I’ve used it on my last few projects. This DIY Scrap Wood Garden Table here , the nightstand set here, and this Curb-Shopped Console Table here. I’m loving this gorgeous dark brown!
PROTECT WITH TOPCOAT
To protect a paint and stain combo like this, I usually seal it up with three coats of Gator Hide for a tough, durable finish. But here’s the scoop—I decided to skip the topcoat on this set. I’m not totally in love with how the finish turned out, so rather than using more product or putting in extra time, I’m chalking this one up to a creative experiment! They won’t be keepers or sellers… and that’s totally okay. Every project teaches me something new.
ADDING HARDWARE
For the last step, I added some cute repurposed hardware. Then I brought them upstairs and did some staging and styling so I can share the results.
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look… I can’t wait to hear what YOU think!
Here’s a side view. They’re super cute but I can tell the stain did not apply evenly over the existing finish.
The Umber pairs nicely with the stain and provides a beautiful contrast. I do love this warm brown!
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial for you. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 53.3K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
You’re going to LOVE what these creative FFU ladies do! Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well!
1. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
2. SALVAGED INSPIRATIONS (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
3. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT
5. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
Here’s another look at these gel-stained nightstands before and after. I hope it inspired you and gave you some ideas for your upcoming furniture painting and staining projects.
Thanks so much for joining me for today’s nightstand makeover—I’m so happy I gave this one a go! One of the things I absolutely love about this creative journey is getting to experiment, learn, and grow with every project. And the best part? I get to share it all with YOU! 💕 Now if someone asks if I’ve ever tried going from dark to light stain, I can say, “Yes I have—and here’s how it turned out!” If this inspires even one of you to try it (or decide it’s not for you), then it’s a win in my books. 😊
I’ve included some more creative gel-stained Related Posts below. Let me know what you think of this one, or feel free to ask any questions you may have. I always love hearing from you. It makes my day!!
Happy painting, my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS:
HOW TO GEL STAIN OVER STAINED WOOD
HOW TO APPLY GEL STAIN TO AN EXISTING FINISH
REPURPOSED DESK INTO NIGHTSTANDS
ORANGE TO WALNUT STAIN IN ONE EASY STEP!
HOW TO STENCIL WITH GEL STAIN
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Looks like you’re right.. not exactly the same blend on the drawers. But a beautiful look!!
Thanks so much Cristina!💙 And exactly, it was really hard to blend all the drawers and sides evenly… but I learned something!😊
Glad you gave it a go. I think I would have given up on the two lower drawer fronts and i would have gone back over them to match the top drawer and then left the rest of the white alone. I really love the contrast of that top drawer with the white overall.
Thanks Barb, I’m glad I gave it a go as well. And maybe with some ‘tweaking’ and more practice, I’ll be able to manipulate the white on dark a little better. And I agree, I really love the contrast as well. 🙂
Hi Denise!
Thanks for sharing your experience with your gel stain project. I learn something every time I use a new product or sometimes like you, using it in a different way.
I’ve never used the lighter over an existing dark finish but have used the light gel stain many times on bare wood. I used odorless mineral spirits to control the stain. Not sure if this would have helped this situation but it’s worth a try in the future. I may just have to give that one a go. Great post! 😘 Pinned 📌
Using the mineral spirits is great idea and I never thought of it, thank you! I love using the light stain(s) on bare wood as well – the results are always stunning. Wishing you a beautiful weekend my friend and thanks for the PIN! Hugs XOXO
Denise,
You can’t beat free furniture, especially when it’s made well. That is the great thing about what we do, it’s just paint. There’s nothing that can’t be fixed.
I’m curious if you can put the light stain over painted furniture, like that yummy brown color? I’ve never used this kind of stain.
You’re a trooper for trying something new.
Before tucking them in storage, you might try adding more gel stain to at least one drawer to see what happens. 🙂
Pinned to help others with their own DIY.
gail
I think I will try another layer of the Picklin’ White over 1 drawer and 1 side. Possibly it will make a difference but I’m guessing it will also hide the wood grain and look more like a white paint wash… but I’m going to experiment!😂 Thanks so much for the PIN and your suggestions my friend! XOXO
Wow! I just love that you showed us this technique. It is such a great training feature. I see what you mean about it being incongruous and I agree with you. I’m surprised that you just didn’t paint over everything and have a job done. They are cute and deserve a chance to shine. I’ll be watching with interest on Saturday. Thanks for the great tutorial, Denise.
Thanks Catherine! Curb-shopped affords me the ‘non-guilt’ of trying new to me techniques so I’m so appreciative that all of you are okay with this. I really hope it helps someone make a decision about their makeovers. And yes! I think I’ll tuck these away and give them a lovely paint makeover once the sting of this ‘fail’ wears off.😂 This Saturday I’m publishing this planter makeover on Youtube – next Saturday I’ll publish this nightstand set makeover.Have a great weekend my friend. XOXO
It’s so good of you to put out your time and efforts to solve a question – that we all can learn from.
I do see the potential for this on rustic / cottage styles. All styles have their place “)
I’m not loving the combnation of rustic / weathered with the modern / sleek style.
As you said, it’s just not cohesive. Maybe a taupe / tan stain wash might work better with the darker under stain ?
Thanks for testing this out. Visuals are so helpful.
I’m so glad you found this helpful and I love your suggestions P, thank you! And I totally agree, “All styles have their place.”🤗
This set was perfect for trying something new! I actually love this stain over the darker color and with that sleek brown but maybe adding another layer or two of the stain would make them perfect! They are so chic compared to the before! XOXO
Awww, thank Christy! I love these curbside pieces – no guilt!😆 Ya, maybe building up a few layers of the stain would be helpful, thanks for the suggestion!😃 I might give this a try on one side before I tuck them away in storage! XOXO
Thank you for testing the light stain over a darker wood finish, because I was wondering if I could do this on my beathroom cabinets. If you found it a challenge, this is a NO GO for me! Thank you for sharing your experience and talent. I always learn something new! 🫶
My pleasure Nicki and I’m happy it helped you make a decision. If you are looking to lighten your cabinets, sanding down to bare wood and applying a lighter stain OR a light painted faux wood finish both look gorgeous. Just my 2¢ 🤗
I really like the contrast with the two-tone look! Always a great job girl! 💖
Thanks my friend! XOXO
Hi Denise. One of the things I absolutely love about your blog is your willingness to try new techniques and your honesty about how they turned out. It’s so refreshing in today’s world. I think these nightstands turned out very cute. I appreciate you letting us know that the light gel stain goes over dark stain slightly uneven. Possibly a perfect look for cottage furniture?
Aw thanks so much Monique, I really appreciate you saying this. I LOVE trying new things and sharing the results with you! Hopefully it might help someone to make a decision whether or not they would like to try it out as well. And yes, I think for a rustic cottage or farmhouse look this finish could be okay. I took video throughout the process so I’ll share it on Youtube after I share the planter one this Saturday. Have a great weekend my friend. XOXO
I agree with you Denise….that stain does nothing for those end tables….but a lil paint over that stain will beautify em again! Dont give up on em….even a contrast paint colour would do wonders or finishing them in the same tone would be enough to keep em from the landfill. I am curious to see if you will find inspiration to give em a “better” new look! 😉
Happy as always seeing your reimagined pcs!
Dawn
Ya, I’m not happy with the way light stain goes over an existing darker finish. It felt near impossible to get the stain to look cohesive… and I really worked it…lol. I’ll be putting them in my storage/inventory to refinish them into something different down the road. They are super cute and in good shape so they can be turned into something fabulous and used for years to come.:) Thanks for chiming in Dawn!💙