Wood Elixir is designed to restore the original finish. If the finish is worn off, what Wood Elixir will do is bring out the natural color of the wood which, in this case, will be lighter than the original finish. Because Maple is a very tight grain, it will not take penetrating stain very well. This is especially true of previously finished wood. For this reason, manufacturers put a tint in the finish to add color to the wood. Therefore, when the finish is removed so is the color. The only way to put the color back is to add a new tinted lacquer finish and for the color to be even, you must remove the old finish.
--Previous Message-- : I have 4 classic maple captains chairs which : are in good shape, however, the finish is : worn completely off the back of the chair : (where your back would hit the wood). The : stain is also worn off and this part is : much lighter than the rest of the chair. : Would Elixir take care of this? Would I : have to stain it first? I sanded it : lightly and applied some stain, but the : stain didn't adhere real well. Can you : help? :