Any tips to match old and new wood w stain?

In article <[email protected]>, MarianLibrarian
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi, I ordered new cabinet doors for my kitchen but am in the process of
> stripping the boxes. Ash. I think there will be stain left in the
> grain. I am hoping someone can give me afew tips on how to match the
> old boxes to the new doors. I am going darkish--red cherry type color.
>
> Also,if anyone has any stain or polyurethane brand recommendations? Or
> sealing stain vs non-sealing stain?
>
> BTW used Citristrip and was pleased wih smell and performance--although
> left it on 6 hours at least. Sanding now.

Are the boxes ash, too? Similar grain to the doors?

Will the door manufacturer share info about the stain and finish?

If not, then you are going to have to test. I have a dealer who will
mix me sample formulations, so I can pick a reference and then add
pigment or dye to get as close as possible. Test, test, test. Find a
hidden spot on the boxes to do that.

I am growing very fond of the General Finishes line of water-based
stains and top finishes.

--
"Wherever there is a jackboot stomping on a human face there will be a
well-heeled Western liberal to explain that the face does, after all, enjoy
free health care and 100 percent literacy." -- John Derbyshire

On 7/20/2012 9:36 AM, Dr. Deb wrote:
> MarianLibrarian wrote:


>
> Also, if you go with a oil based urethane, factor the tint you will get from
> the finish into your overall efforts to match the colors.

Precisely and excellent point. Testing only stain color to match is
only half the battle. Once you get in the neighborhood with matching
the stain the finish/clear coat will typically make the stain appear
darker, add color, and then there is the sheen difference to consider...

On 7/19/2012 2:15 PM, MarianLibrarian wrote:
> Hi, I ordered new cabinet doors for my kitchen but am in the process of
> stripping the boxes. Ash. I think there will be stain left in the
> grain. I am hoping someone can give me afew tips on how to match the
> old boxes to the new doors. I am going darkish--red cherry type color.
>
> Also,if anyone has any stain or polyurethane brand recommendations? Or
> sealing stain vs non-sealing stain?
>
> BTW used Citristrip and was pleased wih smell and performance--although
> left it on 6 hours at least. Sanding now.
>
>
>
>
What you are asking, matching the color you have ordered, will be
difficult. There will almost always be a noticeable difference.
I would suggest not trying to match rahter picking a contrasting or
complimentary color.

MarianLibrarian wrote:

>
> Hi, I ordered new cabinet doors for my kitchen but am in the process of
> stripping the boxes. Ash. I think there will be stain left in the
> grain. I am hoping someone can give me afew tips on how to match the
> old boxes to the new doors. I am going darkish--red cherry type color.
>
> Also,if anyone has any stain or polyurethane brand recommendations? Or
> sealing stain vs non-sealing stain?
>
> BTW used Citristrip and was pleased wih smell and performance--although
> left it on 6 hours at least. Sanding now.
>
>
>
>

Dave is right - "Test,Test,Test" You will be much ahead of the game if the
door maker will give you a clue on the formula for the stain they used.
Even then, "Test, Test, Test."

Leon is also right, you will never get it perfect. So, how you handle that
color difference, which will be greater or lesser, depending on how close
you can get to the doors, is really a matter of what YOU are comfortable
with. Bear in mind, that the difference will blend over time, both in
actual color and in your perspective of it.

Bottom line, unless you are a professional finisher, the end result will be
the doors and the boxes will not match perfectly. But if close, or very
close, is good enough, go for it. Otherwise, do the intentional contrast.

Also, if you go with a oil based urethane, factor the tint you will get from
the finish into your overall efforts to match the colors.

All the best

Deb