Replies

1. 
   Malo | Apr 15, 2009 12:48am | #1

   Any bleaching ideas will raise the grain, meaning you have to sand again anyway. You can sand it now, and maybe ( if you're good) get it some lighter..other than that..you need a glaze.

2. 
   AllenB | Apr 15, 2009 04:26am | #2

   First thing I would do is stain some extra boards from the floor and get a coat or two of poly on them and have her look at them again.  They are going to look a lot different when the poly goes on.  She may decide she does like the color after all.  If not, lets find a color by testing the same way that she does like.  She may come back to the original color.

   If it is a water based stain you can lighten it by going back over it with a lighter stain.  If it is oil based, you are going to have to sand it out.

   Good luck,

1. 
   bayendeavors | Apr 15, 2009 04:40am | #3

   Thats what I told her. I said the poly would change it. I just recieived a text from her saying her husband loves it. At least I got that as leverage

3. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Apr 15, 2009 07:10am | #4

   i'm not sure how this would work on a floor,but i have lighten the stain on oak by wiping it with a rag soaked in lacquer thinner. you might get what i call "2 shades lighter" .

   YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T
   MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE
   DUCT TAPE.

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Apr 15, 2009 07:35am | #5

   I've done the same with mineral spirits.

   It just dilutes the stain and can almost completely remove the color if you want, with a product very compatible with the stain. I've not had to resand.

4. 
   Davo304 | Apr 15, 2009 08:26am | #6

   I second Ralph's sugestion using mineral spirits. If the stain was oil base, the mineral spirits will definately lighten it up . If you used a water based stain, I'm uncertain as to whether mineral spirits will work.

    

   Davo

1. 
   cic317 | Apr 15, 2009 03:35pm | #7

   well if the Husband likes it & she did pick the color, give her a $ to sand & re stain the floor, you may see how quickly she changes her mind. You don't have to kill them, just cover yourself for time spent & headaches.

5. 
   webted | Apr 15, 2009 10:03pm | #8

   Oxalic acid is a relatively mild oxidizing (bleaching) agent that is often sold as "deck cleaner." It's often used to lighten the stains in tannic woods caused by iron or other metals.

   But, it's a solution in water, and it will raise the grain. In fact, you'll want to follow the treatment by rinsing the excess off with water. It would be a real PITA for an interior job. Consider it a "next to last" resort. Last resort, of course, would be sanding the stain off. At least with the oxalic acid, you'll only be doing a finish sanding.

   -t