how do i lighten a finish?

[ecw]

i built a "built-in" desk for my wife - red oak - box panels. i stained it with red mahonany - it's too dark ! an ideas to lighten the finish

 

[oldnamvet]

http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/finishes/get-the-color-out-with-wood-bleach/

STart with some scrap stained with that particular material. Then start experimenting. Hopefully you can find something to lighten it up. Only sure way I know is to scrape a thin layer of wood off. Long and tedious. Since you used red oak, the pore structure will have taken the stain deep so some type of bleaching is your best hope. Good luck!

 

[SageMother]

I don't know how you can change the finish without sanding the piece.

I have seen people use denatured alcohol when restoring pieces, so that might work, but you might still need to sand the piece afterward.