Mahogany refinishing questions

You can use a waterbased stain, but the problem is going to be color-matching. This is where the dyes will come in. You will get a water-based stain in the color of your choice (whatever you think is the right color). If it’s not a perfect match, or if multiple applications don’t provide the color you’re going for, you will need to tint the stain by adding dye of the appropriate color.

You can use oil-based stain under lacquer as far as I know, as long as you give the oil-based stain sufficient time to dry completely.

Honestly, I’d think about refinishing just the entire bedposts especially if you’re not too confident about color-matching and tinting. That way if your color is slightly off but close, it will still look ok, as opposed to a patch that stands out if your new color and finish is even slightly different. I realize sanding everything down will be a real pain, but all your effort is more likely to achieve a satisfactory end-result. JMHO.

Also, pictures of the issue at hand would help.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

Yes you can apply lacquer on the oil stain. But you have to make sure that your oil stain is already dry.

Good luck

wisno

-- http://www.wisnofurniturefinishing.com/