Can I lighten a dark wood stain?

avorancher · Dec 14, 2004

My patio cover is too dark and I want to lighten it somehow. It was built with large Douglas Fir beams, then stained a dark walnut. I was hoping it would lighten up a bit when fully dry, but it doesn't look like it's going to do much more.

It was sprayed with Olympic stain and sealer combo just a couple months ago.

Any great ideas, I don't want to paint over it with a solid color.

JimR · Dec 14, 2004

The sealer may hold you back from doing this unless you remove it. I have done this with rifle stocks by bleaching them and re-staining the color I wanted.

beenthere · Dec 14, 2004

I would agree with JimR, and think that the sealer will (should) have to be removed. Then using oxalic acid crystals (don't remember the mix to get a solution) should due some bleaching. I found more information under "oxalic acid wood bleach" search, and one hit is
oxalic acid bleaching

avorancher · Dec 15, 2004

I had never heard of oxalic acid before... sounds like it might work. Unfortunately the sealer was an integral part of the stain (one coat application).

Maybe I'll try a little section to see if it has any effect.

dixiedrifter · Dec 15, 2004

To lighten up the stain it will probably be necessary to completly strip the sealant and stain.

Oxalic acid is used to neutralize the caustic agents used to strip the sealant.

It probably will not do much on its own.