You need to know how to apply a stain on top of a paint.

You've probably heard of painting over old stained wood, but what aboutstaining over paint?This actually works, and it creates a custom finish.

An enhanced wood finish can be achieved by staining over unfinished wood.The wood's texture and grain are the same, but it has a different tone and richness.A completely different effect can be created by staining over finished or coated wood.

Depending on the color and sheen of the paint and the type of stain, the result might be a glazed, lacquered look with rich, dark undertones.

There will always be streaks visible.That is a result of the stain-on-paint technique.The thickness of the streaks can be controlled.The chip brushes are similar to the grain of old wood.There are quality horse-hair brushes.

Small projects like decorating doors and woodwork can be done with stain over paint.It's a great way to transform a thrift store nightstand.

You could stain a child's bedroom furniture and turn it into furniture for adults.There is a dark stain over a small painted table.

You can adjust the degree of sanding by using different methods.It's always fun to experiment with a simple, low-cost project.

Always work in aventilated area such as a garage with an open door or a covered patio when using stain.In closed conditions, the smell of stain can be harmful.

The cloth should be extended a couple of feet beyond the item to catch the stain.It's difficult to remove wood stain from hands if you put on latex or nitrile gloves.

Hardware, hinges, and other items that won't be stained should be removed if you are working on a drawer or nightstand.Put these items and their screws in a bag and label it with an indelible marker.

Paint sheen and surface conditions greatly affect the outcome of an experiment.

Sanding the surface makes it easier to grab the stain.Some surfaces don't need to be sanded.This is done for a decorative effect, so sand as much or as little as you want.Use a clean cloth or tack cloth to clean the surface.