Why is my wood blotchy after staining?

• <div><p>Wood can appear blotchy after staining due to uneven absorption, which happens when the wood has varying grain density. The denser the grain, the less the stain will be absorbed. This can cause the wood to appear uneven in color, with some areas darker than others. </p><p>To prevent this issue, apply a wood conditioner before staining. Wood conditioners help to equalize the absorption of the stain, resulting in a more even finish. There are many different types of wood conditioners available, so be sure to choose one that is appropriate for the type of wood you are staining.</p></div>

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Q: Is it worth it to refinish furniture?

• <div><p>Yes, it can be worth it to refinish furniture, especially if it&rsquo;s a piece with sentimental value or an antique piece that&rsquo;s irreplaceable. If you have an older piece of furniture but want to upgrade its look or feel, refinishing is a great way to refresh it to enjoy for many years. When determining whether it&rsquo;s worth the cost to refinish a furniture item, calculate the price of buying a new, similar piece and compare that to quotes from local furniture refinishing services.</p></div>

Q: Can I refinish over top of refinishing oil?

• <div><p>No. Once you apply refinishing oil, it will continue to seep into the wood, making it difficult or impossible to refinish over top of it. Since the product contains an oil that&rsquo;s meant to penetrate existing finishes, almost anything you put on top of it will bring the previous layer of stain with it. If you plan to refinish your cabinets more than once, it&rsquo;s a good idea to go with the traditional method of sanding before applying a new finish to the surface.</p></div>

Q: How long does wood filler take to dry?

• <div><p>It can take as little as 30 to 60 minutes for wood filler to dry, but some products take up to four hours. Always read labels to ensure you're following the manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions. Water-based wood fillers typically take longer to dry than oil-based or epoxy-wood fillers, especially when applied to large areas or deep cracks. Wood putty won&rsquo;t dry completely, remaining slightly pliable.</p></div>

Q: Why is my wood stain still rubbing off after drying?

• <div><p>If your wood stain is still rubbing off after the recommended drying time, it means the pigments didn&rsquo;t soak into the wood properly and remain on the surface. There are a few possible causes, including applying the stain in hot temperatures, applying too much stain, or failing to wipe off excess before it dries completely.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Furniture Refinishing pros in Reading, VT

*The Angi rating for Furniture Refinishing companies in Reading, VT is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Furniture Refinishing needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Furniture Refinishing companies in Reading, VT is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Furniture Refinishing needs.

Last update on November 10, 2025

Reviewed in November 2020
Honest. Direct. Reasonable. It's rare you find a skilled contractor like Bob. In the middle of a rush on contractors in southern VT Bob was able to find a way to complete a refinishing and polishing job over 3 days that transformed a neglected oak hardwood floor to a shiny, water sealed finish....
Bob's Hardwood Floors
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Reviewed in December 2019
We recently purchased a 60-year-old home, and the floors showed the years of wear. We reached out to Weles to have them refinish the floors. Wow! What a difference - the floors look almost new. Moreover Sasha, Alex and the entire team at Weles were professional and skilled - they offered...
Weles, Inc.
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Reviewed in August 2019
They were able to accommodate the move on rather short notice. Also, I noticed they would carry a box or piece of furniture into the new place and run back to the truck for more. They were aware that they were on the clock and mindful of the fact that I was paying for time. Very respectful and...
Trend Moving and Storage
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Reviewed in February 2017
On time and on budget. Very friendly. I had lots of boxes and furniture in my basement and the guys moved it to do the floor. I didn't have to lift a finger!
Cornerstone Land Management, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2014
First we received a call from Max Beer the owner of Maxtech Audio, he said he was on the Florida West coast and that he had an installer in Ft Lauderdale named Troy and he would be in touch to arrange a date and time for the work which was done. To begin with Troy showed up 4 hours late . He...
MAXTECH AUDIO
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Reviewed in March 2014
They were absolutely incredible. Within the first 30 minutes, one of the three men assigned to the job had to leave for a family emergency. In spite of only then having two men to do the work of three men, the two remaining men (Shawn and John) finished the job within the estimated time...
Greene Moving & Storage
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Reviewed in February 2014
The quality of cleaning was good although a few times things were not done that I requested. After the first cleaning I discovered some bad scratching of the bamboo flooring in my bedroom. A piece of furniture had been moved that scratched the floor. I had warned the women who came to clean...
All Ways Clean
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Reviewed in June 2012
The team was very punctual and worked very hard. There was an oversight on the part of the job foreman - he had overlooked the requirement to pack dishes and failed to bring dish-pak boxes. Once he recognized the error, he called the office and made arrangements. It was several hours before...
BoxCart Moving & Storage
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Reviewed in May 2012
We were very happy with the job from start to finish. I'd only gotten one other estimate for this job because it was a small one & saw the reviews here. The estimate was clear, they arrived for the work whenever they said they would, did a neat, efficient job. It was easy working with Dave's,...
Dave's Hardwood Floors LLC
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Reviewed in October 2010
The movers did an excellent job, were very careful with my furniture, of which some pieces were fragile, arrived on time, loaded and unloaded quickly, and throughout the planning phase did a good job of communication. Excellent move!
The Original Lupica Moving & Storage, Inc
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