refinish question

[steve gard]

I am refinishing a piece that was previously painted, I have removed the paint and want to stain it. There is just a hint of paint in some of the grain of the wood, and I mean just a hint! What will happen if I stain the piece, will stain cover this paint or will the color shine through?

It is white paint

[Brad Wood]

i think unless you are staining darker than the paint, you will still see it... but if it is that faint, does it matter? sounds like it would just sort of highlight the grain a little

[Howard Acheson]

Any residue has a good chance of affecting the even absorption of any stain applied. It is best to use a chemical paint stripper containing methylene chloride to get all the prior finish off and out of deep pores. Best to clean it up properly now that have to completely redo it later.