Staining to match

ponch37300 · 02-14-2009, 05:32 PM

I am redoing my kitchen and am going to need to stain a new oak cabinet and some trim for the toe kick to match my existing cabinets. I went to sherwin williams and they color matched the stain for me. What is the best way to apply this stain and get it to match the existing cabinets? They also recomended a coat of polyurathan. Thanks for any advice on this.

slickshift · 02-14-2009, 06:58 PM

Honestly, stain matching is a tricky job at best
Your application technique will vary depending on the wood (which varies in color and absorption even in each piece) and color/type of stain
You need to try a few different techniques on scraps (or in a non-obvious area) to be sure it's even close
It may just be a wipe-on/wipe-off affair, or it may be a multi-coat, or even multi-color, job
It may be a one-coat...leave for 5 minutes, wipe-off deal...
Stains are simply not like paints where there is any one answer, and they are most difficult to "match"
Hopefully, your stain is pretty close to what you need, and a simple technique will get it close enough

ponch37300 · 02-14-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks slickshift. Hopefully it is a close match. What is the best way to apply stain? Do I just use a foam brush to wipe it on and wait a while and wipe it off with a rag? Any sanding involved? Also how should I apply the poly? Do I need any sanding before the poly? Do I just use a foam brush to apply it? Sorry for the basic questions. Thanks for helping

slickshift · 02-14-2009, 08:36 PM

"Best" application will depend
Might be a rag, might be a brush....

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickshift

Your application technique will vary depending on the wood (which varies in color and absorption even in each piece) and color/type of stain
You need to try a few different techniques on scraps (or in a non-obvious area) to be sure it's even close
It may just be a wipe-on/wipe-off affair, or it may be a multi-coat, or even multi-color, job
It may be a one-coat...leave for 5 minutes, wipe-off deal...
Stains are simply not like paints where there is any one answer, and they are most difficult to "match"
Hopefully, your stain is pretty close to what you need, and a simple technique will get it close enough

As for poly, the best tools will get the best results
I'd recommend a quality white china bristle brush